Needham-Jay Funeral Home

09/11/2025

Funerals are often a sad, reflective occasion where mourners come together to remember a lost loved one, but they don't all have to be that way. These epic, weird, and just plain cool hearses are the perfect way to send the dearly departed off in style. Whether it's a converted E-Type Jag or a...

09/07/2025

Happy Grandparent’s Day!

Grandparent’s day falls on the second Sunday in September each year and we have been celebrating these members of our families for more than 25 years.

The life of a child is so much fuller with loving grandparents to spend time with. Sometimes they bake their favourite treats, sometimes they read bedtime stories and they give the best hugs. Today we celebrate these special people. Thank you for all you do!

To grandparents who are no longer with us, you caring ways will never be forgotten.

09/06/2025

Ferne Yvonne Whiting (nee Broadbent) passed peacefully into the arms of her Saviour on Saturday, September 6, 2025 att the age of 87 at Lambton Meadowview Villa, Petrolia. Ferne was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and friend. She leaves behind her five children, Connie Bray (...

View Ferne Whiting's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/03/2025

There are many ways you can do things!

In recent years, we who provide death care services have seen many changes in the ways individuals and families decide to have their service.

Some families continue to opt for traditional type services, with a casket and a full funeral service. In this instance, the funeral is the chosen way to say goodbyes. The service is structured in a manner similar to what we have seen in the past. Often religious sacrament is part of the service.

Some choose a service which is based more on convenience for the family and attendees. All elements of the service occur within the same day. Sometimes a service is with a casket, sometimes with an urn. Sometimes there is a graveside service. In all these scenarios the funeral home will work with families to customize the service to best suit their specific needs.

There are also families who opt for minimalist type services, perhaps a private family service or sometimes a very brief committal type service. Often, in this case, the focus is about making the service meaningful in some way.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each and every one of the above ways of having a service. If you have questions about current day practices for funeral services, please contact us. We would be happy to walk you through what today’s families are choosing for their service.

There are many possibilities!

© Needham-Jay Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/31/2025

Melvin Jensen, 94 years, died peacefully with his son by his side on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at his home in Petrolia. Melvin was predeceased in 2022 by his wife of 67 years Doris (nee Kelly). He will be missed by his son Larry. He is also survived by a brother Hank Jensen, and was predeceased by h...

View Melvin Jensen's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/31/2025

Atje ‘Atty’ Wilpstra went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the age of 92.
Born in Peebos, Netherlands on July 27, 1933, Atty was the youngest in her family of 8 children. She fell in love and married Siep on July 27th, 1954, and immigrated with their one- and t...

View Atty's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/31/2025

Kenneth Lyle Poland, 75 years, of Oil City passed away suddenly at C.E.E. Hospital Petrolia on Friday, August 29, 2025. Ken was the loving husband for 52 years to Janice (nee Bailey). He was the proud father of Kenny, Brian (Melissa), and Kevin (Laura) and grandfather to Taylor and Claire. He was th...

View Kenneth Lyle Poland's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/29/2025

08/28/2025

Chan Tang, 85 years, of Wyoming passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband Hok Chin (1996). She is survived by her children Samon (Sreng), Morleng (Eva), Thong May (Rewadee), Vilay (Viengkham), Lirong (Sungi), Kham Sen...

View Chan Tang's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/25/2025

You have Prearranged your Cemetery Service and Selected a Memorial
Why not Have it Set Now

As part of the prearrangement process, families will often complete their cemetery arrangements, selecting a burial plot, prepaying burial fees and selecting a memorial. By doing so, they spare surviving family members having to make decisions at a difficult time.

Perhaps a spot close to a tree is desired, perhaps a cremation-type arrangement is desired. There are a surprising number of alternatives today’s families can choose from.

When choosing a monument, the colour, size and aesthetic of the memorial are decided on. Lettering and design work are also part of this conversation. Planning how the monument will present is one step. Actually ordering and having the monument set is even better for the family. Why?

When someone passes, the time it takes from ordering a headstone to delivery can be a couple of months, sometimes longer. During this period, the grave is unmarked. At the height of the grieving process, the family is visiting an unmarked location. Having the monument in place with the family name inscribed is a much more desirable alternative.

Also, having the monument set, provides clear instruction to surviving family members. There is no ambiguity over the decisions that have been made. Lastly, planning and setting the monument beforehand allows time to ponder options in the selection process and arrive at optimal choices.

© Needham-Jay Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/23/2025

Lucid Dreaming about a Deceased Loved One and Visitation Dreams

Dreaming is a natural part of our human existence. Scientifically, when we dream, we pass through a number of stages before entering a REM (rapid eye movement) state. During REM, a number of physical changes are measurable including increased heart rate and blood pressure, and increased activity in the part of the brain which is associated with learning.

Many people have lucid dreams which include a deceased family member or loved one. Psychologists typically interpret these experiences as projections from the person’s subconscious. For some dreamers, the connection that is felt is so real it defies rational thought. Is a dream simply a mental projection or is it something more that is spiritual in nature?

Some interpretations of lucid dreaming about a deceased are basic in nature. In these types of dreams, the dreamer participates in an action with the deceased or the deceased offers advice. In these cases, subconsciously the dreamer is expressing that they miss their departed loved one, feel alone or are seeking guidance and comfort.

Visitation dreams are more profound in nature. They are vivid and real. A dialogue with a deceased, with meaningful interaction occurs. The deceased often is younger and more energetic, will exchange eye contact with the dreamer and often has an important message.

Often visitation dreams carry reassurances though sometimes warnings are expressed. Regardless of what is being expressed, the underlying tone of love and support will be present. The dreamer typically awakens feeling peace and joy and the memory of the dream will not diminish in the short term.

Whether a dreamer experiences a lucid dream or a more profound visitation dream, the experience can help them find closure in an area of their life they were previously conflicted about. Questions the dreamer may wish to ask themselves are: What am I experiencing in life right now that makes me think of the deceased? And… Do I have unresolved feelings pertaining to the deceased?

Dreams, that magical realm between daily life, our subconscious and perhaps a life hereafter. Without a doubt, a subject area that additional study and research can shed light on.
To view more about lucid dreaming and visitation dreams please visit:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/dream-catcher/201110/visitation-dreams

© Needham-Jay Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/23/2025

On November 14, 1932 our beautiful mother, Marie (VanHooft)Timmers was born in Erp,
Netherlands, daughter of John and Elizabeth. On August 21, 2025 we all said goodbye to our
family legend. Marie was married to Tony Timmers(2018) for 63 years. Between them they
produced 5 tulips. Betty Ann(Gre...

View Marie Timmers's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.