Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

12/23/2025

Our Annual Visit to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital

Each holiday season, we carry out what is a heartfelt tradition for us, bringing joy where it’s needed most. Trading our everyday roles for red suits and festive smiles.

We visit the hospital alongside Santa and his cheerful elf, delivering pizza, presents, and holiday spirit to the pediatric floor. The tradition doesn’t stop with the youngest patients, both those young and old receive a visit, sharing a smile and a hug, a reminder that they are remembered during the season. Santa’s bells ring through the halls spreading holiday cheer to all.

What makes this tradition truly special is the the joy and laughter it brings to both young and old at heart. Year after year, we return to lift spirits, driven by a belief that compassion should extend beyond our professional walls. It’s a simple act—pizza, presents, candy canes—but one that reflects a deep commitment to community, kindness, and the true spirit of the holidays.

We wish you all an enjoyable and blessed Christmas and holiday season.

Rod and Stacey Krushel

12/23/2025

12/22/2025

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Josie Comeau
Mary Haugan
Doreen MacKinnon
Sandi McDonald
Karen Megeney
Kathleen Treuer
Don Walker

12/20/2025

Funeral Fare
Mars Bar Rice Krispie Squares

These home-made dessert treats are a natural addition to tea or coffee time. They’re easy to make and are sure to be a welcome ‘in-sympathy’ offering.

Ingredients:
4 Mars Bars – regular size
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup of chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)

Directions:
Melt butter and Mars Bars in sauce pan, on medium-low heat. Cut bars into smaller pieces to melt quicker, stirring occasionally. When smooth consistency in mixture is reached, remove from heat. Stir in Rice Krispies. Add mixture to greased 8” square pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over mixture and broil in oven for 1 to 2 minutes, until chips begin to melt. Spread chocolate to form even layer over Krispies. Let cool and then place in fridge for 30 to 60 minutes for chocolate to harden and mixture to set. Cut into squares and ready to serve.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

12/18/2025

Reflections on our Christmas Candlelight Service

This time of the year is very special for us at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel. We’ve had the honour to serve many families over the past year and know that the absence of a loved one is especially felt during the holiday season. It is with this understanding that we hosted our annual candlelight service on Tuesday, this week.

Pastor Murray Jaster led the service and in his words “We are here to remember those we loved and who have died.” United, families came together to celebrate their loved ones, grieve their loss and remember their legacy.

Candles representing the families in attendance were beautifully displayed at the front of the chapel. Each candle personalized with the name and picture of their loved one. The candles were lit and a video tribute reflecting on the lives of every family we served the past year added to the personal touch of our service.

The message that Pastor Murray delivered, the singing of Silent Night and the moment of silence reached out and touched everyone in attendance. The service was followed by light refreshments and fellowship to bring the evening to a close.

It is our sincere hope that everyone in attendance took away special moments that will provide strength and healing during this holiday season. Our hearts are full as we see our families hold their candles close knowing that this special time of celebration made a difference to them.

Thank you to Wanda Church for the beautiful music, to Pastor Murray Jaster and to our Cook Southland family who helped to create a beautiful and memorable evening.

From our family to yours, we wish you peace and comfort this holiday season.

Rod & Stacey Krushel

12/17/2025

Understanding the Importance of…
The Need to Grieve Alone During the Holidays

Holidays are traditionally a time when families gather and joyful celebrations occur. For many who grieve, the idea of attending festive events can present as an overwhelming task. Grief is both physically and emotionally exhausting. For some, even the thought of planning for a change in day-to-day routines can become overwhelming.

The dread of not finding enjoyment in the season’s traditions may not comprehend by everyone in attendance at these gatherings; often, grievers navigate social events trying to remain cheerful while inside they are in turmoil.

By allowing the griever time alone to help them process their grief the following can occur: they can collect thoughts, cry in private, connect with the deceased, be comforted by a space that is familiar and most importantly, they can rest and hopefully begin healing. Preferably, these periods of self-reflection need to occur prior to and in addition to participating in events.

It is important for bereaved individuals to articulate their need for taking a time-out and those they interact with to accept their need to do so. Being understood by others and feeling less pressure to fully participate in the season’s celebrations will contribute to a griever’s sense of well-being. This approach includes honoring the deceased and supports the emotional well-being of the bereft.

Holidays come and go… As one griever shared “This Christmas I needed some alone time.” Next year, I’ll be more ready to re-engage with the traditions of the season.”

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

12/15/2025

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel had been given the honour to look after the funeral arrangements for the following families. For more information about these services please visit our website at www.cooksouthland.com/obituaries

Evelyn Austin
William 'Bill' Bayley
Richard Kipta
Claude 'Lee' Van Buskirk

12/13/2025

A Just Because Gift

Isn’t receiving a gift from someone else just wonderful. Sometimes gift giving is for a special time of year, sometimes to celebrate a special occasion, but why not just because. Aren’t the best gifts the ones we receive with no reason at all.

In an instant we come to realize that we were being thought of in a special way and an effort was made to make our day, in some small way. Receiving a gift surely results in a smile, perhaps even a hug.

When someone is grieving, there are less highs than lows. Sadness prevails and some days simply hold no feelings of happiness or joy. A ‘just because’ gift may be just the remedy needed to insert positive feelings into what otherwise is an uneventful day.

The gift doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. We are all familiar with the expression, “It’s the thought that counts.” Simple things that can be given include flowers, a special dessert treat, a trinket, a book, a ticket to an event, a special item of clothing or symbolic gift such as a framed picture that brings warm feelings. It always adds if there is some forethought to what is to be given, making the item just a bit more personal in nature.

Its always nice to do something special for someone and a ‘Just Because’ gift is sure to be appreciated.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

12/10/2025

We, at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel are honoured to serve the family of Lee Van Buskirk. Our thoughts are with his family.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Claude Lee Van Buskirk on December 6th, 2025, at the age of 71 years, at one of his most cherished places, the Black Ranch. Lee was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend to so many.

12/10/2025

We, at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel are honoured to serve the family of Carole Meidinger. Our thoughts are with her family.

It is with heavy hearts that her family announces the passing of Carole Meidinger, beloved wife of the late Calvin Meidinger, on December 7, 2025, at the age of 79 years. Along with Calvin, Carole was predeceased by her parents, Laura and Nick Massini; brother, Garry Massini; father-in-law and mothe...

12/09/2025

Funerals of the Famous
Some Unique and Fascinating Details about their Service

In 1980, John Lennon was murdered. At his vigil in Central Park, fans and mourners honoured him with 10 minutes of silence. One minute can seem like an eternity when reflecting; ten must have had a profound effect on all in attendance. Yoko Ono commemorates her husband by lighting a candle and placing it on the window sill of their apartment, every year on the anniversary of his death. A memorial named Strawberry Fields was dedicated in 1985 in Central Park as a tribute to his life and legacy.

In 1990 Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was honoured with two memorial services after his death. One was held in New York and the other in London, places where Henson had worked extensively during his career. His request was that no one in attendance wear black. Both services included Bible readings, hymns and of course appearances from the Muppet’s ensemble. “Just One Person” was selected as the closing song.

In 2005, Canadian James Doohan best known as Scotty on the original Star Trek died and his cremated remains were among the first to be flown into and jettisoned into outer space. Doohan also had service in the Canadian military where he landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. As part of this operation he would be shot six times, one bullet resulting in the amputation of a finger. Doohan truly was a man who participated in many noteworthy missions.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online