Sydney Memorial Chapel

05/26/2026

View Francis A. "Frank" Campbell's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/26/2026

View Joanne "NeeNa" (Anthony) MacKinnon's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/25/2026

View David Sterling "Bumpy" McNeil's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/25/2026

Forget-Me-Not Flowers: A Lasting Memory of a Loved One

The forget-me-not flower is a symbol of enduring love, respect and remembrance. Often used in floral arrangements for funeral services, its delicate beauty reminds us that even though someone is no longer physically present, their memory and the love they shared will forever remain in our hearts.

Here’s a unique idea that allows the significance of the flower to continue long past the memorial service. At the completion of the service, hand out sachets of perennial forget-me-not seeds or have them sitting in a basket on display as attendees depart. Included on the packaging can be a photo of your loved one with a note encouraging friends and family to take the seeds home and plant them in a special place.

Then, every year when these tiny blue flowers bloom, they will serve as a symbolic reminder of the loved one, the memories shared and the bonds that tie us together.

This is just one of many unique ways to personalize a funeral service and the memory of a beloved. For more ideas on different ways to pay tribute to a loved one, contact us and talk with one of our directors.

© Sydney Memorial Chapel/CFHC Online

05/23/2026

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

05/23/2026

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

05/22/2026

Helping Children who Are Grieving
The Pocket Rock – A Book about Grief, Growth and Love

When facing the loss of someone close, children find it difficult to process their emotions and express themselves. Often their feelings are overlooked, as the adults who support them provide ‘well-intentioned’ advice that falls short of the challenges these young people are facing.

Canadian funeral director and author, Nicole Gaddess, shares a message about children and grief in her Children’s Book, The Pocket Rock. Using a Rock as a symbol, something that is tangible, she explores the feelings of the young mind, shining a light on a topic that is foreign to many parents.

This metaphor about grief provides some valuable insights for all. The Pocket Rock is a wonderful tool to help children better understand the feelings of sadness, emptiness and anger they are experiencing. This nurturing and supportive message with resonate with readers and help many to comprehend they are not alone as they grieve, and over time that the burden of grief will lessen.

Grief affects both adults and children and many carry an undefinable pain inside their hearts. Many of us hide our grief from the outside world and carry a Pocket Rock.

For more information on this book or to order please visit: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=the+pocket+rock&i=stripbooks&crid=3RIZM2698DVNG&sprefix=the+pocket+rock%2Cstripbooks%2C133&ref=nb_sb_noss

© Sydney Memorial Chapel/CFHC Online

05/21/2026

Funeral Service for the late Anna Long will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Baddeck on Monday, May 25th at 2:30 p.m. The public are welcome to greet family at a public visitation prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:15pm.

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

05/20/2026

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

05/20/2026

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

05/18/2026

Victorian Funerary Practices

The Victorian era occurred during the reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted from 1837-1901. Following the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861, Victoria went into mourning, a period that lasted essentially for the rest of her life.

Albert had died at a young age, in his early 40s after being married to the Queen for more than 20 years. Her grief was profound and her position as the monarch of England meant she held tremendous influence over Victorian society. The Queen, would wear black for the rest of her life. Additionally, societal norms formed during this period had practices that divided morning into three distinct phases: full morning, second mourning and half mourning. The time spent in each period varied based on the closeness to the deceased. One rule was that women weren’t allowed to wear jewelry, except for black gems during the period of full morning; instead, women wore mementos, which became popular when Queen Victoria started wearing a locket with a picture of Albert and carrying a lock of his hair.

At this time, there were many common superstitions including stopping clocks at the time of death of the deceased, covering all mirrors in the home, carrying the deceased's feet first as they left the house and turning down family photos to prevent spirits from possessing the people in these pictures.

It needs mentioning that this was a simpler time, without much of the science and knowledge we possess today. Believe systems concerning grief and loss were based on a dedication to never forget a loved one and to honour their memory till death. It was a somber period, one where the death of a loved one was taken very seriously.

© Sydney Memorial Chapel/CFHC Online