Huskilson’s Funeral Homes

09/29/2025

The Cemetery Walk

We all have our reasons to visit loved ones resting at a cemetery. Some of us bring flowers at Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Others visit on anniversaries and birthdays, as gestures to the bonds that were shared. Sometimes we visit hoping to gain insights about our family history and genealogy. There are so many reasons we visit.

The cemetery walk includes the feeling we get when we drive in past the cemetery gates and approach the gravesite of our beloved. Though they are gone, that said, for some reason we find solace in moments such as these. There is a clarity, a soulfulness that speaks to us from beyond.

As we walk to where they rest, our emotions sometimes rise to the surface. When was the last time we visited? We continue to miss them and just being at the cemetery is a source of comfort. We’re sure they would appreciate that we’ve taken the time.

The cemetery walk is about our feelings for someone we loved dearly… and about death and dying. Some of us find elation and love while others find sadness and regret. Everyone feels different emotions.

Though they are laid to rest here and we know they are no longer with us at one level, there is an attachment which we will always have to them. Walking to their grave, standing over it, having a heart to heart and paying respects are all simple gestures which make us feel better about who we are, deep down inside.

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/27/2025

Impermanence Illustrated by the Creation and then Destruction of a Sand Mandala

Impermanence can be defined as the temporary quality of all living and non-living things. When it comes to a person, it describes the experiences and memories that make up a vanishing life. It is a natural part of existence, but becomes especially poignant when someone who is loved dies. Even though we know there is a season for everything under the sun – a time to laugh and a time to mourn – it can still be difficult to accept the reality of losing someone close.

As a traditional part of Tibetan Buddhism, sand mandalas are the perfect metaphor to depict impermanence. These beautiful and intricate works of geometric art encourage healing, peace and purification. Designed using millions of grains of powered marble, sand, flowers, herbs and stones, a mandala takes days and sometimes weeks to create. Once their beauty is revealed upon completion, they are destroyed to demonstrate the impermanent nature of life.

The destruction of a sand mandala is a powerful ceremonial event and statement about our lives. The religious symbols it contains are removed in a specific order until the mandala has been completely dismantled. The sand is then gathered in a jar which is wrapped in silk and transported to a river. It is then released back into nature to disperse its healing energies.

The circle of life, the impermanence of each and everyone of us. Sometimes we wish a loved one would live forever. Regrettably, this is just not the case.

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/25/2025

Hearses are among the most identifiable symbols of death. Join us for the ride as we take you down the winding roads of the history of the hearse!

09/23/2025

Making the Decision to Prefund your Funeral

When preplanning a funeral, individuals and families essentially have two choices. Some decide to prearrange only. With this option a folder is created that includes decisions made on the services that are selected. This becomes a working copy of what will be done at the time of death.

Some individuals and families also choose to prefund their funeral in addition to the prearrangements they make. Two benefits of prefunding are: not burdening surviving family members with payment for services and secondly, freezing prices. Services which are prepaid avoid inflation. Funds are placed in trust and earn income over time, offsetting increases in price.

Many families we serve opt to have arrangements paid for in advance. To find out more about prefunding, please contact us.

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/22/2025

Huskilson's Funeral Homes have been entrusted to care for the following dearly departed. For services information please visit our website at: https://www.huskilson.net/obituaries/obituary-listings...

Mary Sherlyn Atkinson
Doris Pauline Brannen
James Henry Raymond Deas
Karen Lynn Deveau
Clifford Irené LeBlanc
Patricia Ann VanBuskirk
Gregory Lewis Vanderveen

09/20/2025

The Year 1975 Remembered

Toronto’s skyline was forever changed in 1975 when an enormous Sikorsky helicopter flew into the downtown core to attach the last pieces of the CN Tower’s antenna. This event marked the end of construction of what would be the world’s tallest structure for the next 32 years.

The year also saw the beaver becoming Canada’s official national symbol, denoting its importance to Indigenous People and its prominence during the fur trade. Other noteworthy events included Environment Canada switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius, Ontario becoming the first province to exclusively teach the metric system in school, the birth of government-owned Petro-Canada, the opening of Montreal’s Mirabel Airport, and the awarding of Senate seats to both the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

In world news, after close to 20 years of fighting, the Vietnam War officially ended when North Vietnam conquered Saigon on April 30, 1975. The surrender by the South Vietnamese resulted in the mass exodus of U.S. troops from the region.

In science and technology, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen with the release of the Altair BASIC, Cromemco Cyclops became the first digital commercial camera, and a U.S. patent was awarded for Ethernet local area networking, the predecessor of today’s internet.

In sports, Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in what became known as the “Thrilla in Manila.” Home Box Office, the first pay television network, delivered the broadcast, allowing the boxing match to be viewed by over 100 million people worldwide. In entertainment, Charlie Chaplin was knighted by the Queen and Jaws frightened many as the summer’s blockbuster movie. Its release actually had children too scared to go in the water. Books of the year included Jack Higgins’ The Eagle Has Landed’ and James Clavell’s Shōgun. Toys and gifts of 1975 included Mood Rings, Pong (home version) and Pet Rocks.

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/18/2025

We are Pleased to Share that the Renovations to the
Chapel and Foyer at our Shelburne Location are Complete

In May we began the process to refresh our facilities in Shelburne. Both the chapel and foyer or entrance area have been completely refurbished. The goal of the project was to create a newer, more modern look to the building. New lighting, updated carpeting and contemporary colours for paint were selected to brighten and add atmosphere to our funeral home’s décor.

One feature I would like to mention is the stained-glass panels which are now located in our foyer. These were transported from our former Lockeport location. The history of these panels dates back to the 1800s when they were constructed for the Holy Cross Anglican Church. They survived a fire, were restored and eventually found their way to our Lockeport funeral home, before coming to Shelburne. They are an immaculate piece of hand craftmanship.

Also on display at our Shelburne location are the pictures of our five generations of Huskilson funeral directors which are behind me in one of the images for this announcement.

I would personally like to thank the following trades for their involvement in this project:
Bower & Sons Carpentry, Cousin Jamie Carpentry, Nick Grey Floor it, Neighbourhood Painters,
James Robertson electrical, Shelburne Home Hardware and C&C flooring

Our staff Joey Reynolds, George Hamilton, Kaleigh Walsh and Solace Dolliver were also dedicated to making sure our location remained functional in the time it took to complete this renovation. And, many thanks to the families we’ve served in Shelburne and surrounding communities for your patience and understanding as the work was completed.

Lastly, we are continuing to modernize the Shelburne location. A new inviting and contemporary reception room is the next project planned for our facility. If you wish to visit, we invite you to tour the new facilities; please contact Joey Reynolds at 902-875-2368.

Andrew Huskilson
President and Funeral Director
Huskilson’s Funeral Homes

09/17/2025

A Definition of Good Grieving

Grief is a normal and natural response to having loved and having lost that love. Grief is not only felt by humankind. The animal kingdom also shows signs of grief.

Good grieving insists that there is a process that must be experienced as opposed to being ignored, hidden or denied. It is a unique passage to a changed life that has no rules on how to proceed. Good grieving happens when there is an acceptance of the changes in mind, body and spirit that are recognized as being part of the process.

Grieving causes many changes, including interrupted sleep, mood swings, loss of security, peace and joy. It is not a permanent state even though for some grievers, it feels like the pain and suffering will never leave. Many emotions are experienced. Some of these may feel uncomfortable but they all serve a natural purpose: for example, crying is helpful as it releases toxic chemical from the body.

Understanding that symptoms of grief will pass allows the process to take place. Good grief acknowledges the journey. It does not dismiss the journey by comparing personal experience to someone else’s pain or loss. Good grief allows for the change to bring blessings in the midst of pain. As one griever put it, losing a loved one made me more compassionate towards others whose loved one died. I had no idea this would be the case, beforehand.

Bertha Brannen
Grief Recovery Specialist

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/15/2025

Huskilson's Funeral Homes have been entrusted to care for the following dearly departed. For services information please visit our website at: https://www.huskilson.net/obituaries/obituary-listings...

Doris Pauline Brannen
Maeghen Beth Chaisson (LeBlanc)
Shannon Brian Garron
Clifford Irené LeBlanc
Gloria Josephine Parsons
Louis Charles Pothier
Mary Bruce Stoddart
Gregory Lewis Vanderveen

09/12/2025

Uncovering Peacefulness

Does it seem like the pace of life is getting faster all the time? Personal computers and mobile devices help us connect, but means we are “wired in” 24/7. It’s part of the new way of living.

And the worrying associated with meeting personal commitments often can add stress to our day to day lives. Experts say mental health issues are increasing. Imagine compounding this with the loss of a loved one.

A self-help remedy may be just what’s needed. Unplug from it all. Find your quiet sanctuary. Indulge yourself with some of the things in life you truly treasure. Go for a hike in nature. Go for a picnic. Take a walk first thing in the morning, before the hustle and bustle starts. Discover peacefulness and inner peace.

Finding peace is good for our personal welfare and provides physical benefits including lower blood pressure and increased energy levels. Being at peace is also beneficial to our emotional well-being.

What gives you peace? Being one with nature? Curling up with a favourite author? Being around your special people? Give yourself a treat today. Devote some of your time to a peaceful activity. And… even make this part of your daily routine. You deserve it!

© Huskilson's Funeral Homes/CFHC Online

09/10/2025