Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

03/31/2026

Prearranging, We’ll Help You Find Your Best Choice

There are many more options for a family to choose from than there were in the past. Traditional casket funerals are still common, though cremation, as a choice, has also become a more frequent option. Services are also beginning to be less religious with many choosing secular type ceremonies.

In the funeral profession, over the years, we have been adapting to changing attitudes about remembering a loved one and celebrating a life. It’s surprising how many new ways and ideas to pay tribute to someone there are. Personalization is a term that will be at the forefront of how a service is delivered for many years to come.

The considerable experience a funeral director brings with them and the ability to listen and understand to what is needed to remember and honour a loved one adds value to each and every family we talk with. Prearranging… having that conversation… exploring options, learning about different scenarios and the consequences of various choices, and deciding on the type of service which best meets your family’s needs holds considerable benefit for all.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/30/2026

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

Maureen Foley
Dwayne Giroux
Lani Jassman
Slavica 'Sylvia' Luksa
Floyd Shillington

03/28/2026

Looking at Life Through Grief Lenses:
Or Cultivating Hope to Heal a Heart

Navigating loss is an individual grief journey that changes life’s planned direction. Initially, life appears dark and for some even hopeless however there is a way forward that lies within. “You won’t always feel this way” is a promise offered by many in the grief profession. Grievers are often slow to accept this reality as their struggle with a myriad of emotions is real.

Hope must lead the process. Small steps can be taken by focusing on what is still good in life. Appreciating the deceased for what they gave in life rather than what was lost with their death honours the deceased while fostering an attitude of acceptance. It is possible to establish hope by initiating reasonable daily practices. It begins with writing down goals, learning to problem solve, engaging in self-care, introducing creative activities and celebrating achievements. The goal is to decrease the frequent replaying of negative thoughts.

Positive feelings and hope can be further nurtured in different ways. Spending time with supportive persons, stepping out into nature, practicing meditation, and even playing and having a dialogue with a young child can uncover joys that lead towards a grateful heart.

Some grievers find hope by connecting with other grievers and some benefit from professional counselling as they receive guidance through this complex journey. The key however lies within, to move towards a new and meaningful life is to choose to direct self-talk that includes hope until it becomes habitual.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/26/2026

Hearses have been around for a long time in various shapes and forms. At first, they were rudimentary structures---from stretchers that transported the

03/25/2026

We, at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel are honoured to serve the family of such a special lady, Maureen Foley. Our thoughts are with her family.

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Maureen Mary Foley who passed gently into the loving arms of her heavenly father on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Medicine Hat.

03/24/2026

Memorial Tattoos Evolving to a New Level

Memorial tattoos have existed for centuries, providing a permanent inked tribute to a loved one. Depending on where the tattoo is located, the image, name or symbol can serve as a private or public expression of the person and the relationship lost.

A relatively new tattooing process is gaining popularity which allows for the infusion of a small amount of a loved one’s ashes into the ink to create an even more personal connection. The ash-infused ink is then applied to the skin by a skilled tattoo artist. The artist will require very fine, sifted ashes to prevent the ink from clogging, but when complete, the tattoo will look no different from a regular one.

For health and safety, it is recommended to only use a trusted tattoo artist and to ensure the ashes are handled in a safe manner, which may require the assistance of a specialized company to process, sterilize and mix the remains with the ink.

Getting a commemorative tattoo infused with a loved one’s remains will not be for everyone, but it can serve as a powerful way to remember a loved one while always keeping them close.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/23/2026

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

Maureen Foley
Dwayne Giroux
Lani Jassman
Alfred 'Allen' Longworth

03/20/2026

Giving Comfort to Those Who Struggle

It’s difficult to know how to help a friend who is grieving, but don’t let your discomfort stop you from reaching out. Now more than ever, your friend needs support. They don’t expect you to have all the answers or to always say the right thing. All they want is for you to be there, helping them to cope and heal.

Helping tips:
• Listen to what they have to say
Grievers like to talk about their lost loved one. Let them lead the conversation and encourage them to share stories. Don’t avoid talking about the death or change the subject to something more pleasant.
• Offer practical help
The grief journey is new to most people and they often don’t know what they want or need. Perhaps they are hesitant to ask for help, not wanting to be a bother. Take the initiative by calling them and offering to do a specific task such as shopping for groceries or running errands; dropping off a homemade meal; driving them to appointments; taking their dog for a walk; or babysitting their children. They may also appreciate help with housework, such as cleaning, laundry or meal prep.
• Continue the support
For many people, life goes back to normal after the funeral, but for those grieving a loss, life will never be the same. Grievers are often forgotten in the days and weeks after the funeral. Make a point to call and check-in on them regularly. Invite them to join you in activities such as a walk, a meal out or a shopping excursion. Or spend time sitting with them, looking through photo albums or doing a jigsaw puzzle.

It’s hard to know the best ways to help those in grief, but the only way to find out is with the gift of your time and comfort.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/17/2026

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

Edward Berger
Colleen Dehmke
Lynne St. Onge
Floyd Shillington
Joan Taylor

03/14/2026

A Unique Final Resting Place
Launching Cremated Remains into Space

To boldly go where no man has gone before may have been an old “Star Trek” phrase, but today, many options exist for unique and compelling “out-of-this-world” disposition options. Those seeking a novel locale for the final resting place of a loved one (or even themselves) can now send cremated remains into space. The cremains are transported by rocket beyond our atmosphere where they are jettisoned into outer space towards the stars or perhaps even to reside on the moon’s surface.

For a fee, many companies – such as Celestis – offer what they call “memorial spaceflights.” Following the death of a loved one and their funeral service here on Earth, their cremains can be sent into space; alternately, they can be stored for a future voyage allowing family members to travel together to a galaxy far, far away. Messages of hope, remembrance and love can accompany them on their journey.

So, it is true, the world – and beyond – is now possible when it comes to honouring loved ones in meaningful and significant ways. For some, a memorial spaceflight could be the perfect way to say goodbye, providing comfort to families as they visualize their loved one among the stars.

© Cook Southland Funeral Chapel/CFHC Online

03/12/2026

We, at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel are honoured to serve the family of this lovely lady, Colleen Dehmke. Our thoughts are with the family.

Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Colleen Helen Dehmke, passed away in Medicine Hat on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the age of 67 years.

03/11/2026

Funeral Director Recognition Day on March 11 serves as the opportunity to salute those individuals who selflessly assist families during life’s most difficult moments.

Planning a funeral is never easy, but with the help of an empathetic funeral director the experience becomes more bearable. Licensed funerals directors have years of education and training, enabling them to play a critical role in their communities. As essential first-responders following a death, these selfless individuals coordinate a multitude of details, often behind the scenes, while guiding families through care and service options.

As a result of their efforts, loved ones get the send-off they deserve and those left behind are united in their journey through grief. In times of sorrow, a funeral director’s compassion and dedication is truly unrivalled.

This March 11, we salute our colleagues across the nation, those who tirelessly provide compassion and care so that the difficult times that families face, following the loss of a loved one, are more easily navigated.