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What Happens When Someone Dies.

Sat, 02 May 2026 13:20:22 GMT

A Step By Step Guide in Winnipeg

It’s 3:00 in the morning. Your phone rings.

It’s the call you knew might be coming - the hospital or care home letting you know your loved one has died. Even when it’s expected, hearing those words changes everything.

And at that moment, one question rises above all the others:

What happens next?

Step One: Having a Plan in Place

For many families in Winnipeg, this process actually begins before a death occurs.

Nursing homes often ask for your chosen funeral company when a loved one becomes a resident. This allows staff to act quickly and avoids difficult decisions during an emotional time.

Hospitals may not always ask right away. This is why having a plan in place can make all the difference.

Step Two: Bringing Your Loved One Into Care

Once a death occurs, the funeral home is notified - either by the family or the institution.

From there, the funeral home arranges to bring your loved one into their care with professionalism and respect.

Shortly after, they will contact you to arrange a time to meet and begin planning.

Step Three: The First Meeting

At this stage, your funeral director becomes your guide.

Together, you’ll walk through the key steps:

Gathering essential information
Registering the death
Discussing burial or cremation options
Beginning to plan the service or memorial

This is where questions are answered and where clarity begins to replace uncertainty.

Step Four: Providing Vital Information

To complete legal documentation, several details are required, including:

Full legal name
Address
Social Insurance Number
Marital status
Parents’ names
Occupation

A helpful note: “retired” is not considered an occupation. Instead, use the primary career your loved one held.

This information allows the funeral home to prepare important documents such as:

Canada Pension Death Benefit and Survivor applications
Provincial Death Certificate application
Burial Permit
Funeral Director’s Declaration of Death

Step Five: Making Arrangements

With the essentials in place, attention turns to honouring your loved one.

This includes decisions around:

Burial or cremation (including green burial options)
Clothing, casket, shroud, or urn
Cemetery or venue selection
Obituary writing
Catering, flowers, and printed materials
Live streaming or video tributes
Coordinating with clergy or a celebrant

Each decision is guided by your wishes and the life you’re remembering.

Step Six: The Service and Beyond

Once the service or gathering has taken place, the funeral home completes final details, including invoicing and document processing.

If a provincial death certificate has been requested, it is typically mailed from Vital Statistics within 2–3 weeks.

What This Really Means for You

There are many details involved in the days following a death.

But you are not expected to navigate them alone.

A good funeral director doesn’t just handle logistics, they provide guidance, clarity, and support when it matters most.

Start the Conversation Before You Need It

The best time to understand this process is before you’re in the middle of it.

If you’re wondering where to begin, it starts with a simple conversation, call 204-219-1126 or email richard@richardrosin.ca.

Richard Rosin

Winnipeg’s Friendliest Undertaker™

The Five Principles of Green Burial

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:38:45 GMT

A Guide To Environmentally Friendly Death Care Practices

Our last blog was a welcome to green burial and briefly outlined the Five Principles.

Today, we will expand on the principles and provide context for the importance of our past, ensuring each of us strives to create a sustainable future.

This blog is based on Information from the Green Burial Society of Canada and we are grateful for their continued support and insights.

Before there was a funeral industry, people, communities and cultures took care of their dead.

They were unaware that the way they did this were sustainable practices.

What was done was practical for their time and their circumstance.

People in the community usually had specific tasks:

Bathing, dressing, and/or shrouding the body; the Person was usually laid out at home for the community to gather and pay their respects as plans for the burial and funeral were made. Ice would be used to keep the body cool.
The local carpenter created the casket with a simple design and readily accessible wood. Remember, there were no hardware stores as we know them, so local trees were cut down and sawn into usable boards.
The grave was dug by hand and not necessarily to the common catchphrase “six feet under”. Much depended on the conditions underground. Soft sand, clay, gravel, and a high-water table all played a role in how deep the grave was dug, and they remain relevant today.

I find it curious that the definition of what is now called a "Traditional Burial / Funeral" with all its add-ons, might not be recognizable to our for-bearers.

Many of us may understand this as an evening at the church or funeral home for viewing and / or prayers in a shiny casket, a service in the church or funeral home the following day and a procession of vehicles which include a sedan, limousines, hearse and participants all heading to the cemetery where, perhaps, a concrete vault awaits the arrival of the casket to be sealed and lowered into the manicured grounds.

The more accurate definition of a Traditional Burial returns to the sustainable way we practised death care and follows the Five Principles of Green Burial:

No Embalming

Bodies are prepared for green burial without embalming, and decomposition is nature’s way of recycling a body, without our need for intervention.

A body that is not embalmed can still be prepared in a dignified way for burial and viewing with refrigeration and the use of environmentally sensitive soaps, lotions and disinfectants.

Direct Earth Burial

The unembalmed body is wrapped in a shroud made of natural, biodegradable fibres, then buried directly in the grave without a protective vault.

The shrouded body may also be placed in a casket or an alternative container made of locally sourced, fully biodegradable materials.

Simple Memorialization – Locally Sourced

For green burial, memorialization should be simple and visually appropriate to the site. Communal memorialization: simple, basic inscriptions on naturally sourced materials are preferred. Or, small, natural, handcrafted, individual monuments may be used.

Ultimately , the green burial site as a whole becomes a living memorial to the Persons interred there and can become a place for peaceful contemplation.

Optimized Land Use

A well-planned green burial cemetery (or cemetery section) will optimize the land it occupies.

Design elements will include minimal infrastructure, such as temporary roads that can be removed and converted into interment lots, realistic and suitable grave dimensions, and section lot plans that maximize interment capacity. Consideration of where graves are located also takes into account what exists underground. It may not be possible to have neat rows of graves if destroying the roots of established trees would have a negative impact.

The re-use of graves is a highly sustainable practice that optimizes land use in a green burial (or any) cemetery. Common in many places, grave re-use is currently available only at a few cemeteries in Canada.

Where full body interment is not practical or possible, space within a green burial area may be designated for the interment of cremated remains.

There are many helpful resources that can help support and guide your end-of-life choices, and we’ve included a list to help you make the best decisions with clarity, not when it’s urgent.

Green Burial Society of Canada - they host a Green Burial Cafe the first Wednesday of the month
Green Burial Society of Nova Scotia - they host a Green Burial Cafe the last Wednesday of the month
Green Burial Council (US)

Or just google Green Burial

Please consider your Environmental Legacy. It does not stop when your heart does. You have one more thing to do. And that’s to ask questions, gather information and make sustainable end-of-life plans.

Questions about Green Burials? Call 204-219-1126 or e-mail richard@richardrosin.ca .

Welcome to Green Burial

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:17:59 GMT

Green Burial in Winnipeg: A Sustainable, Meaningful End-of-Life Choice

As the world gets warmer, many of us are trying to reduce our impact cutting energy use, composting, and advocating for change. But there’s one question most people haven’t considered:

What will your environmental legacy be after you’re gone?

For many families in Winnipeg, that question is leading them to explore a more natural, meaningful option: Green Burial.

What Is Green Burial?

Simply put, Green Burial is the way people cared for their dead long before the modern funeral industry existed.

It’s a return to simplicity. A return to nature.

Green Burial reflects your values your desire to reduce your impact on the earth, even in death. It allows the body to return naturally to the soil, continuing the cycle of life that has been practised across cultures for thousands of years.

The 5 Core Principles of Green Burial

Green Burial is guided by five key principles:

No embalming,
Direct earth burial
Ecological restoration & conservation plans
Simple memorialization
Optimized land use

These principles ensure that the process is as gentle on the environment as it is meaningful for families.

Common Misconceptions About Green Burial

Some people believe Green Burial is:

A new or fringe idea
Only for environmentalists
A lower-cost, “less meaningful” option
A poor use of land
Less environmentally friendly than cremation

The truth is quite different.

Green Burial is actually one of the oldest traditions in human history , practised across cultures for generations. Today, it’s growing in popularity because it aligns with the values of people from all walks of life and want their final act to reflect how they lived.

And for many families, it becomes a deeply meaningful way to honour a loved one, rooted in simplicity, presence, and connection.

Green Burial Options in Winnipeg

In Canada, the Green Burial Society of Canada certifies funeral homes and cemeteries that meet strict environmental standards.

There are currently certified sites across the country, including right here in Winnipeg.

Brookside Cemetery officially certified its Green Burial section in June 2025, making it possible for local families to choose this sustainable option close to home.

Why It Matters: Your Environmental Legacy

Most people don’t realize they have one final opportunity to make an impact.

Your Environmental Legacy doesn’t stop when your heart does.

There is still one more decision to make, one more way to reflect your values, care for your community, and protect the earth for future generations.

Start the Conversation

If Green Burial speaks to you, the next step is simple:

Ask questions. Have conversations. Make a plan.

Because the best decisions are made with clarity not in a moment of urgency.

Questions about Green Burial?

Richard Rosin, Winnipeg’s Friendliest Undertaker

Call 204-219-1126 or email us to learn more.

Dealing With Death

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:30 GMT

In today's society, we tend to ignore death. We avoid discussing it, thinking about it, and planning for it. While we all know that death is inevitable, we are unwilling to think it will ever happen to us.

"Death can be terrifying." Dr. Todd Kashdan opened his article, "Confronting Death with an Open, Mindful Attitude", with those four painfully-honest words. He goes on to explain why death is such a scary thing for most of us. "Recognizing that death is inescapable and unpredictable makes us incredibly vulnerable. This disrupts our instinct to remain a living, breathing organism."

Our fear of dying has kept us alive (as individuals and communities) for centuries. It's natural. Yet, the fear of dying does not serve our personal need for safety and if we are to live our lives, we need to release the fear altogether. Dr. Kashdan argues that a mindful approach to living may be what's needed.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness has been defined as, "The state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience."

Awakening to the inevitability of your own death is liberating. You are no longer forced to manage the fear; you are able to include death into your life experience.

Preparing for Your Death

Death is a natural part of life. When you live with intention, which involves looking toward death and preparing for it, you crush its power to keep you from living fully. The following task list will, when done mindfully, help you to not only confront your own death but to take control of it. While you'll never actually know how your life will end until the time of your death, your preparations will help you become comfortable with it.

Prepare a will , notarize it, and provide a copy to your executor as well as any other individuals who are important in the settlement of your estate.
Designate a Power of Attorney and Living Will, two essential documents if you are ever unable to care for your financial, medical, or legal needs due to an accident or illness.
Make a detailed plan of your funeral or memorial service, which will help your survivors acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments.
Organize all financial papers including insurance policies, bills, mortgage papers, vehicle titles, and loan documents. It may be useful to consider adding a trusted family member to your bank accounts.
Secure your digital life for your survivors. Make sure to list all account passwords and usernames and let your survivors know how you would like your digital real estate (email and social media accounts) handled after your death.

Sources:

"What is Mindfulness?", Psychology Today, 2014
Kashdan, Todd, Ph.D., "Confronting Death with an Open, Mindful Attitude", Psychology Today, 2011
Klosowski, Thorin , "One Day You're Going to Die. Here's How to Prepare for It", 2013

Grief Support

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:29 GMT

I certainly don't have the expertise in knowing how to speak about grieving. I do know a meaningful funeral event is a good beginning on the grief journey. I hope this information from reputable sources will be helpful in your journey.

- Richard.

After the unexpected death of his wife, author C.S. Lewis wrote in A Grief Observed, "No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. The death of a beloved is an amputation."

While dealing with grief is not easy, we believe the resources within this section of our website can help. Should you need additional support in grieving your loss, please call us. We will do everything we can to assist you.

Grieving with Purpose

No one is prepared for grief. The rush of feelings, thoughts, anxieties, and heartache can take us by surprise and drive us to our knees. Yet, when we choose to harness that power for self-growth, amazing things can happen. Good can come from pain.

Sigmund Freud first brought up the concept of grief work in 1917, and today the idea that bereavement is purpose-driven continues. Dr. James Worden chose to see the work of bereavement as task-oriented:

To accept the reality of the loss
To process the pain of grief
To adjust to a world without the deceased
To find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life

Your current job is to focus your attention on achieving each of those goals. It will not occur in any logical order; each of us is different and the path we walk in the bereavement journey is not a straight one.

Dealing with grief is hard work. It takes both courage and hard work to successfully adapt to the loss of a significant person in your life.

Six Signposts Along Your Journey

Dr. Stephen Joseph identifies what he calls six signposts to facilitate post-traumatic growth. He reminds readers too that "post-traumatic growth does not imply the absence of emotional distress and difficulties in living. It does imply that it is possible through the struggle to come out on the other side, stronger and more philosophical about life."

Before identifying these six signposts, Dr. Joseph reminds his readers of three very important things:

You are not on your own
Trauma is a normal and natural process
Growth is a journey

He also provides a fundamental rule: don't do anything you might not be able to handle now. "If you experience intense emotions, become physically upset, or begin to panic... stop." He gently reminds readers that "having a sense of personal control over your recovery is important.

There might be some things you do not feel ready to handle now, but in time, as you discover new strength and develop new coping skills, this will likely change."

Signpost #1: Taking Stock

Are you physically well? Are you getting enough sleep and eating the right foods for optimum health? Have you received the medical, legal, or psychological help you need? What is your current condition: physically, spiritually, and emotionally?

Signpost #2: Harvesting Hope

People traumatized by loss often feel hopeless. Find inspiration in the stories of personal growth written by others; set goals and practice hope as you set out to achieve them.

Signpost #3: Re-Authoring

Learn to tell your story differently. Take the victim mentality out of the story of loss and replace it with the survivor’s mentality to return to a sense of control over your life.

Signpost #4: Identifying Change

Keeping a daily diary can help you to see the small changes more easily. You can also track those moments when you feel at your best and identify the conditions that brought them about. Identify and nurture the positive changes in your life throughout your bereavement journey.

Signpost #5: Valuing Change

Review these changes and identify the ones that you'd like to continue nurturing. Personal transformation requires it. Growth is encouraged when we take time to think about what we have gained from loved ones and find a way to use what we have learned to give to others.

Signpost #6: Expressing Change in Action

Express your growth in new behaviours or more simply, put your growth into action. When you think in terms of concrete actions, it helps make the growth experienced within your bereavement real to you.

"By focusing on these six signposts," writes Dr. Joseph, "you will find that your post-traumatic growth is beginning to take root."

Ending Denial and Finding Acceptance

Acceptance is the very first step in your bereavement. Dr. James Worden writes that we must "come full face with the reality that the person is dead, that the person is gone and will not return."

This is where a funeral can be important. Traditionally, the casketed body of the deceased is at the front of the room and guests are invited to step up and personally say their goodbyes. Part of stepping up means seeing with our own eyes that death has occurred and actualizing is an essential part of coming to accept it. Yet, the traditional viewing has eroded over time with many families today choosing cremation and opting to hold a memorial service after the cremation has taken place. The focal point of the ceremony becomes the cremation urn, holding the cremated remains or ashes out of sight and making the reality of the death less evident and the road to acceptance less clearly marked.

Acceptance May Seem Out of Reach

For many, acceptance means agreeing to reality. Most of us, when we lose someone dear to us, simply don't want to agree to it; we have an aversion to agreeing and accepting. So, let's use a different word—try "adjustment", or "integration". Both words focus on the purposeful release of disbelief. Someone who has integrated the death of a loved one into their life has cleared the path to create a new life; a pro-active life where a loved one's memory is held dear, perhaps as a motivating force for change.

It does take time. In "Coping with the Loss of a Loved One," the American Cancer Society cautions readers that "acceptance does not happen overnight. It’s common for it to take a year or longer to resolve the emotional and life changes that come with the death of a loved one. The pain may become less intense, but it’s normal to feel emotionally involved with the deceased for many years after their death. In time, the person should be able to reclaim the emotional energy that was invested in the relationship with the deceased, and use it in other relationships."

Whatever you call it, this essential part of mourning is what allows us to live fully again. It allows us to step out of the darkness of mere existence and back into the sunshine where life is sweet again. Of course, it's a very different life than the one you had before your loved one died.

Sources:

Freud, Sigmund. On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement Papers on Metaphyschology and Other Works.
Worden, James, Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, 4th Edition, 2009.
Fleming, Stephen. The Changing Face of Grief: From 'Going On to 'On-Going''
Joseph, Stephen. What Doesn't Kill Us: the New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth
American Cancer Society, "Coping with the Loss of a Loved One", 2012

How to Write a Eulogy

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:28 GMT

"The writing and reading of a eulogy are, above all, the simple and elegant search for small truths. This can be surprisingly hard to take notice of the smallest, most unpolished details of a life and set them up for us to stare at in the wonder of recognition."

—Tom Chiarella, "How to Give a Eulogy"

How do you begin writing a eulogy? Author Carol DeChant explains, "Obituaries are usually mini-biographies, focused on what a person did, but the eulogy is much deeper, more about who the person was… It's meant for the select group of people who knew and cared for that person, or who cared for the survivors."

In "How to Write a Eulogy," Christina Ianzito offers these suggestions (many of them come from Garry Schaeffer's book, A Labor of Love: How to Write a Eulogy):

Outline the eulogy. In addition to helping you stay focused, an outline will keep your eulogy organized and effectively break down the writing task into manageable pieces.
Ask for the input of other family members and friends. They may be able to provide you with some great stories to share.
Always try to share examples of the statements you make about your loved one. If you want to say, "She was generous with her time," tell a story that supports the statement.
Do not focus too much on yourself. After all, this isn't a eulogy for you; keep your writing focused on your loved one. You may even want to ask others to read your first draft to make sure the focus is in the right place.
Go for the humour. Shared laughter is a very healing experience, so don't be afraid to make people laugh.
Write the first draft. Don't fuss over every word; just get your ideas on paper.
Put it aside for a while. No doubt, it is an emotional experience. Take some time away from the writing desk to get perspective and release stress or sorrow.
Come back to edit and polish. This is the time to refine the eulogy into its final form.
Print a legible copy of the eulogy in a large font to assist in the delivery of your well-chosen words. There's nothing worse than not being able to read your handwriting when you're standing in front of a crowd of people.

Delivering a Eulogy

Unless you're a seasoned public speaker, delivering a eulogy can be a scary, emotionally trying experience. Remember these tips to deliver a clear and moving eulogy:

Take your time with the delivery
Breathe deeply
Stay relaxed
Take regular sips of water

If you have any doubts about your ability to perform in front of an audience, consider appointing a backup person to fill in for you. Or, you may ask someone else to take over the duty of reading the eulogy aloud on your behalf.

"Giving a eulogy is good for you," says author Tom Chiarella. "It may hurt to write it. And reading it? For some, that's the worst part. The world might spin a little, and everything familiar to you might fade for a few minutes. But remember, remind yourself as you stand there, you are the lucky one. And that's not because you aren't dead. You were selected. You get to stand, face the group, the family, the world, and add it up. You're being asked to do something at the very moment when nothing can be done. You get the last word in the attempt to define the outlines of a life."

Where to Find Eulogy Examples Online

All you need to do is search online for "best eulogies" or simply "eulogies"– you'll be directed to dozens of videos and articles.

Should you still find yourself in need of support, please give us a call . We will be delighted to discuss other available resources.

Sources:

Chiarella, Tom, "How to Give a Eulogy"
Ianzito, Christina, "How to Write a Eulogy"

How to Write an Obituary

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:27 GMT

What's involved in writing a good obituary? This is the first thing you should think about when sitting down to write one for a spouse, family member, or close friend. What information should it include and how can you find a balance between dry facts and engaging storytelling?

What's the Difference Between an Obituary and a Death Notice?

The obituary is a longer and more detailed look at the life of the deceased. The death notice is simply a compilation of relevant facts. The obituary also includes those essential details, but it expands on them to provide a complete look at the deceased's life experiences.

The first of the details is their name. If they had a maiden name or were commonly known by a nickname, you may want to add that in as well.

Other essential details to include when writing both a death notice and an obituary are:

Age upon death
Birthday
Birthplace
List of the surviving relatives
Date of death
Location (city/state) where they died
Details about the funeral service (date, time, place)
Where the person lived

It benefits families when we remind them of this simple truth: in writing an obituary for your loved one, you have the opportunity to serve future generations of your immediate family and society as a whole. You are, in effect, recording history on an individual scale. It's a humbling yet inspiring thought.

Well-Written Obituaries

It's easy to find examples of obituaries worthy of attention. There are interesting obituaries for everyday folks that inspire us, make us cry or even make us laugh. When we're done reading the obituaries, often we say to ourselves, "I wish I'd had a chance to get to know that person." Obituaries are scattered in cyberspace, acting as digital records of lives, times, places and histories.

Will writing your obituary become a trend? Maybe. Many more people are writing their obituaries today – it's even given as an assignment in some college and university courses.

How you document your loved one's life story is up to you. With that said, we recommend the obituary also include these details:

Parents' names
Information about the spouse and children
Church affiliations
Job or career information
Personal and professional accomplishments
Personal character and interests
Influence on their community

It's now time to push the facts aside. Sit back and think about the anecdotes and memories you could share to shed some light on your loved one's character and personal interests. Bring factual details into play whenever you can to help the reader see who they were, how they lived, what they did, and who and what they loved. The richer in detail, the more memorable the obituary becomes.

Double-Check Spelling and Grammar

Before you submit your final copy, be sure to read it through twice or even three times. You're looking for errors in spelling and grammar, but you also want to make sure your facts are straight.

Don't Hesitate to Call Us

We would be happy to offer some suggestions if you're stuck. Call us to discover how we can help you to shine a brighter spotlight on your loved one’s life.

When Grief is Unacknowledged

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:26 GMT

In Disenfranchised Grief: New Directions, Challenges, and Strategies for Practice, Kenneth Doka offered a very simple definition of disenfranchised grief as an experience when "survivors are not accorded a right to grieve". Can others deny us our right to feel sorrow and pain? Can they set limits on our bereavement? The answer is, at least in some cases, yes. It happens all the time.

In Disenfranchised Grief Revisited: Discounting Hope and Love, Dr. Thomas Attig claimed this right entitles a bereaved person to grieve when they need or choose to and in the manner in which they choose. In response, others are obligated to honour the right and refrain from interfering in the experiences and efforts of grieving.

It's more than "a matter of indifference to the experiences and efforts of the bereaved. It is more actively negative and destructive as it involves denial of entitlement, interference, and even imposition of sanction. Disenfranchising messages actively discount, dismiss, disapprove, discourage, invalidate, and delegitimize the experiences and efforts of grieving. In this way, the people around the bereaved withhold permission, disallowing, constraining, hindering, and even prohibiting the survivor's mourning.”

When Can Disenfranchised Grief Occur?

Author Jonathan Vatner shares examples of situations where disenfranchised grief can result:

Your ex-husband passes away, for example, and your friends don't see why it matters.
An executive is having a serious affair with her married co-worker. When he dies unexpectedly, the expression of her grief is limited by the covert nature of the relationship.
A spouse, brother, or son is missing in military action.
When death has occurred due to socially unacceptable causes such as AIDS or suicide.
A beloved dog, cat or other pet has died.

What Does Disenfranchised Grief Sound Like?

When you are mourning an unrecognized or undervalued loss, you may hear statements like this:

"When things like this happen, all you can do is give it time and wait it out."
"Eventually, you’ll get over this."
"The best thing is to try to put what happened behind you and get back to normal as soon as possible. Try to go on as if nothing has changed."
"There’s no point in looking for meaning in something like this. Suffering brings us face to face with absurdity. The best thing is to try to forget."
"Face reality. She is dead. You will have to fill her place with something else."

Sometimes those dealing with grief disenfranchise their grief with inner talk that sounds like this:

"Somehow it feels disloyal to laugh or try to be happy. I sometimes feel that I owe it to him to live in sorrow."
"What can I possibly have to look forward to?"
"I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that in some ways, I seem to have grown from the death of my child."
"How can I ever let myself love again if it all comes to this?"

Suffer in Silence No More

The stress of grieving in isolation can be unbearable. If we listen to Dr. Lani Leary, even if you endure the ups and downs of bereavement on your own, the grief work you do will still be compromised. She tells us that it is not time that heals. Instead, healing comes with validation: "All grief needs to be blessed. In order to be blessed, it must be heard. Someone must be present, someone who is willing to hold it by listening without judgment or comparison."

In the article "Mourning Becomes Neglected: 4 Healthy Ways to Grieve," author Jonathan Vatner shares these four ways you can reclaim your right to grieve and get much-needed support:

Recognize that there is nothing wrong with you. Whatever your feelings are, they're legitimate.
Find people who will understand. Search online—there are bereavement support groups for just about any type of loss.
Be honest about how you feel. If a well-meaning friend cracks a joke about your deceased ex-husband, explain that this loss is painful for you.
Develop a ritual or ceremony to commemorate the person's passing. Visit the grave after the funeral or hold a private one when you can take as much time as you need to express your anguish.

Speak Up and Speak Out

In the book Invisible Monsters, author Chuck Palahniuk wrote, “Most times, it's just a lot easier not to let the world know what's wrong.” Whatever you do, if you feel those around you are not supportive of your bereavement, do not follow his words. Let others know how you feel and what you're thinking. In doing so, you're educating them on the essential truth of bereavement: all losses are worthy of recognition and acknowledgement and all those in mourning have the right to grieve.

Sources:

Doka, Kenneith, Disenfranchised Grief: New Directions, Challenges, and Strategies for Practice
Attig, Thomas, Ph.D, "Disenfranchised Grief Revisited: Discounting Hope and Love"
Vatner, Jonathan, "Mourning Becomes Neglected: 4 Healthy Ways to Grieve"
Leary, Lani, Ph.D., "No One Has to Grieve Alone: Validation is the Key to Resolving Grief", 2012.
Palahniuk, Chuck, Invisible Monsters

When Grief Doesn't Ease

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:25 GMT

Sometimes it feels as if your bereavement will never end. You feel as if you’d give anything to have the pain go away; to have the long lonely hours between nightfall and dawn pass without heartache. You are not the only grieving person who has longed for some measure of relief.

In the novel, My Sister’s Keeper, author Jodi Picoult wrote, “There should be a statute of limitations on grief. A rule book that says it is all right to wake up crying, but only for a month. That after 42 days you will no longer turn with your heart racing, certain you have heard her call out your name.”

No such rule book exists. Grief counselors and therapists tell us that the length of time it takes anyone to grieve the loss of someone they held dear to them is dependent on the situation, how attached you were to the deceased, how they died, your age and gender. So many variables exist and there’s absolutely no way to predict how long it will take for you to adapt to your loss.

The Difference Between Normal and Complicated Grief

Research findings have led experts to many different categories of grief experience ranging from normal to complicated. Normal (or uncomplicated) grief has no timeline and encompasses a range of feelings and behaviors common after loss, such as bodily distress, guilt, hostility, preoccupation with the image of the deceased, and the inability to function as one had before the loss. All are normal and present us with profound and seemingly endless challenges. Yet, Katherine Walsh says, “Over the course of time, with average social support…most individuals will gradually experience a diminishment of these feelings, behaviors, and sensations.”

So, how can you know if your bereavement is no longer within the range of normal? Ms. Walsh goes on to say, “While there is no definitive time period by which this happens, if an individual or members of a family continue to experience distress intensely or for a prolonged period—or even unexpectedly years after a loss—they may benefit from treatment for complicated grief.”

A Useful Model for Assessment: Worden's Four Tasks of Mourning

There are certain tasks when achieved during your bereavement that can successfully allow you to emerge on the other side of loss as a better, stronger and more resilient individual. James Worden proposed these four tasks:

To accept the reality of the loss
To process the pain of grief
To adjust to a world without the deceased
To find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life

Instead of focusing on your bodily discomforts, feelings, and common behaviors, this model allows you to see where you may be stuck or stalled in the adaptive process. Fortunately, Worden also gives us a list of indicators advising that "Any one of these clues in and of itself may not be sufficient," for a diagnosis of complicated grief. "However," he continues, "any of these…should be taken seriously, and the diagnosis of complicated grief should be considered when they appear."

12 Clues... 12 Insights

While grief educators and theorists tell us that a diagnosis of complicated grief should not even be attempted until after the first anniversary of the death, if any one of the following symptomatic clues exists for longer than six months, you may want to consider grief counseling or grief therapy:

You cannot speak of the deceased without experiencing intense and fresh grief long after the loss.
A relatively minor event triggers an intense grief reaction.
Your conversations with others are littered with references to loss. In other words, loss is an ever-present motif in your worldview.
You have issues related to your loved one's possessions. Keeping everything the same as before their death could indicate trouble. Tossing out everything right away can also be a clue to disordered mourning. (You also need to factor in your cultural and religious background)
You have developed physical symptoms similar to those of the deceased before their death. Sometimes these symptoms recur annually, on the anniversary of the death or holidays. Increased susceptibility to illness or the development of a chronic physical complaint can also be an indicator.
If you have made radical changes to your lifestyle or excluded friends, family members, or even activities associated with the deceased, it may indicate unresolved grief.
A long history of depression often marked by guilt or low self-esteem can reveal disordered mourning. The opposite is also true: a person experiencing a false sense of happiness or elation could be experiencing unresolved grief.
A compulsion to imitate the deceased in personality or behavior can be a sign of complicated mourning.
Having self-destructive impulses or exhibiting self-destructive behaviors can be significant. These can range from substance abuse, engaging in self-harm, developing eating disorders and suicidal tendencies.
A sense of unexplained sadness occurring at certain times each year (holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays) can also be a clue to unresolved grief.
Developing a strong fear about dying, especially when it relates to the illness that took the life of your loved one, is an important clue.
If you have avoided visiting your loved one's grave or if you are still unwilling to discuss the circumstances of their death, this could indicate complications in your bereavement.

There are many types of complicated grief; it can be delayed, masked, exaggerated, or chronic. Self-diagnosis is without purpose. A year after the death, if you feel your grief symptoms worsening, we advise that you seek a referral from your family physician for professional grief counseling or therapy.

Sources:

Walsh, Katherine, Grief and Loss: Theories and Skills for the Helping Professions, 2nd Edition, 2012.
Worden, James, Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, 4th Edition, 2009.

Funeral Arrangement Guidance

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:24 GMT

What to Expect Before the Funeral Event

It's a common enough experience; a loved one dies and now you've got to face something you may have never done before; making their funeral arrangements. Now not only are you emotionally affected by their death, but you're also anxious and need to know what to expect when you arrive.

We will do everything we can to make the experience as easy as possible. And it won't take as long as you think.

Vital Statistics

When it comes to properly completing the necessary paperwork for Vital Statistics and writing a detailed obituary, accuracy is everything.

You'll need to bring as much of the following as you can:

The deceased's full name and/or maiden name
Their Social Insurance Number
Deceased address
Place of Birth
Date of Birth
Parent's names (maiden name of mother) and Places of Birth
Marital status
Spouses name, including maiden name
Occupation and place of work
Informant's name and address

If you're unable to provide any of this information, you can always call us later to provide whatever is missing.

Planning the Funeral Event

Creating a meaningful Funeral Event to share the stories of your loved one is at the heart of what you'll be doing when we meet.

So to make it easier, we ask that you bring:

Pre-arrangement papers, if applicable
A photograph of reasonably good quality
Clothing for the deceased, if applicable
Cemetery property information
A list of preferred charities for memorial donations, if applicable
A list of pallbearers, if applicable
Desired musical and readings selections
Thoughts on the food and beverages and amount need for the reception

How long does this take? Usually about an hour, depending on the type of Funeral Event we are creating.

What to Expect During the Funeral Event

Will People Cry? Will they Laugh, or perhaps Applaud?

People cry at many events that celebrate and stir emotions - weddings, baptisms and anniversaries, to name a few. The same happens at a funeral.

People laugh at funeral events too. Dr. Seuss said, “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

Our lives are filled with so much. Laughter and joy are part of our stories.

Standing up and giving a round of applause for a life well lived can be a wonderful tribute too.

What to Expect After the Funeral Event

The Early Days After Loss

The funeral event is over, and things have begun to grow quiet. Maybe the phone isn't ringing as much as it was, or fewer people are stopping by to check in on you. Your loved one's death continues to become more of a reality. And the very thought of facing your life over the next few weeks and months may fill you with loneliness and a sense of dread. It all feels like way too much to deal with.

It's okay to take care of yourself first:

Eat well
Exercise
Plan each day with tasks to accomplish.

As time goes by, a "New Normal" will slowly appear.

You also need to spend time focused on completing the paperwork that will officially change the status of your loved one with banks and creditors, employers, insurance companies, and mortgage holders, etc. It is a slow and perhaps challenging process, so try to be patient and seek expert advice if you need it.

The Paperwork

It's time to get organized. Locate and safeguard as many of the documents listed below. It might be easier to put each into a designated set of file folders and keep them within easy reach:

Birth certificate
Driver's license
Medical cards
Passport (if applicable)
Marriage certificate
Divorce papers (if applicable)
Deeds and Titles to real and personal property
Veteran documentation
Recent Income Tax Forms
Social Insurance Card
All Insurance documents: Life, Health, Automobile (there may be more than one policy in each category)

17 Things to Do After the Funeral

Visit the Community Legal Education Association website for an Executor's Checklist.

Or here's a shortlist of some things you need to do:

Before you do anything, get a notebook to keep track of tasks, phone calls, people and contact information, etc.
As you begin contacting the various agencies:
Record date, time and people you talked to, their contact information and what tasks they will do and when.
Record when tasks are completed or followed-up if past anticipated dates.
Request the Provincial Death Certificate from the funeral home and determine how many you will need.
Request the Funeral Director's Statement of Death and determine how many you will need.
Many agencies will accept this document rather than the Provincial Death Certificate.
Check to see if the deceased had left a will. It may require contacting the family attorney, checking your safe deposit box or home safe.
Get the mail redirected, if applicable. Visit the Canada Post website to learn more about how to submit a Change of Address form. Or stop by your local post office.
Stop health insurance coverage. You may need to provide them with additional information, so keep your relevant paperwork handy.
Contact employer or union. Determine if there are any death-related benefits available, ask (and answer) questions, and change any relevant contact information.
Make sure to pay or arrange to pay previous bills, including all utilities.
Speak to their representatives to advise of the death and their procedures to make payments or close accounts.
Initiate probate of the Will. If you don't have one, you may want to find and hire a lawyer for this process.
Transfer title of real and personal property. Whether it's an automobile, boat, motorcycle, RV, or plane, you'll need to inform the appropriate agency. Also, notify any related vehicular or personal property insurance companies of the change in status.
Close or modify credit card accounts. You will probably need to provide each of them with a copy of the death certificate. Again, keep that set of file folders handy.
Contact life insurance companies. Not everyone has life insurance, but some people have more than one policy. No matter how many policies were in force, you will probably need to provide each of them with a certified copy of the death certificate for each claim made.
Notify other policyholders of the change in "Beneficiary" status. If your loved one was a designated beneficiary on the insurance policies, investment or banking accounts of other individuals, then you'll need to notify them of the death of a beneficiary.
Arrange to close or modify bank accounts. Depending on your relationship with the deceased, you may be entitled to convert it into your name.
Change stocks and bonds into your name. Again, this depends on your relationship status with the deceased. To do this, you'll need to provide a copy of the death certificate to all organizations involved.
Report the death to other agencies. It can include fraternal or business or professional organizations, gym and golf course memberships — to name a few.
Tend to their digital estate. You'll need to inform the specific Social Media networking sites of the change in status. You will need to close email accounts as well as any online banking portal or investment accounts.

Do You Have Any Questions?

Just call . We'll do our best to help you.

Legal Advice

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:24 GMT

The death of a loved one can mean that you will need to find a lawyer to help with the estate settlement process. While it isn't necessary to have a lawyer prepare an advance directive, it can be advantageous to have one prepare your will or any other estate-related documents.

Here are some suggestions to help you find the best lawyer to provide the kind of legal services you need:

Think about specialization. You don't need just any lawyer; you're looking for someone with experience in a particular aspect of the law.
Ask around. There's nothing like a personal referral from someone you trust. Talk to friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to see if they can recommend a lawyer with the right expertise.
Get in touch with the Manitoba Bar Association. It will have a directory of all practicing lawyers in your area.
Visit legal aid websites. These organizations can provide you with trusted referrals and legal consultation services.

The Next Step in Getting Legal Help

At this point, you should have a list of four or five recommended local lawyers. Now it's time to make that first call. You should first ask to set up a face-to-face meeting but be aware that many lawyers charge for this introductory session. That's why your first question should be: Do you charge for the initial visit?

If you do agree to a face-to-face meeting, it's important to ask the following questions but be observant too. Look around: is the office organized? Are they listening closely to what you have to say? What is your gut feeling for what you're seeing and hearing? Trust your intuition; if you don't feel you are a good match, then move on to the next attorney on your list.

The questions to ask in your initial interview are:

Do you specialize in my type of case?
Do you have any special credentials?
Exactly who will handle my case; the lawyer or a paralegal?
Who will be my point of contact?
What's the preferred way to communicate with your office?
Will I be billed for phone calls and email correspondence with either the lawyer or staff?
How will I be informed about any progress in my case?
How will fees be calculated? Hourly, contingency, or flat fee? If I will be billed hourly, will I be required to pay for portions of an hour?
What expenses am I responsible for?
How often can I expect to receive a bill?
Is advance payment required? What happens to that money if I terminate the case before it's resolved?
Will I receive copies of all documents of my case?

When you're satisfied you've found the right lawyer at the right price, always ask for a written agreement and read it thoroughly. If you have questions about what you've read, ask them before you sign.

Sources:

Liz Davidson, "How to Find a Good Lawyer When You Really Need One"
Consumer Reports, "When You Need to Lawyer Up"
Henry, Alan, "How to Find a Reputable Lawyer"

Celebration of Life

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:23 GMT

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Dealing with Grief

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:22 GMT

If you Google the word "grief," the search engine will deliver well over 100 million results. That's an unbelievable amount of information about dealing with grief at a time when you may already feel overwhelmed by the smallest of tasks. We are here to help.

You Aren't Alone

While the experience of grief can be very isolating, we would like to help you take steps to counter the feelings of loneliness and disconnection. While the articles in our grief library can make a difference in your day-to-day life, please don't hesitate to call us should you need additional support. We will do our best to ease your bereavement and if requested, provide a referral to a local grief counsellor or therapist.

Your Digital Life Needs Your Attention

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:21 GMT

The role of an Executor and Power of Attorney has become more diverse when we consider that in a digital age, much of our lives are unseen. We must consider our digital assets when drafting our Will.

If you'd like to receive more information on this important part of our lives, please contact me and I'll email it to you.

It is a 13-page booklet that covers virtually every type of asset you may have.

Gratitude and acknowledgement go to STEP (The Society of Trustees and Estate Planners) for producing this publication.

What is a digital asset?

Examples that did not exist thirty years ago:

Photo and video apps
Social media
Passwords
Financial records
Email accounts
Cloud storage
Smart home products
Smartphones
Tablets & wearables
Cryptocurrency
Movies
E-books
Streaming services
Medical records
Online games

We tend to forget our digital assets because they are out of sight. They need to be included when drafting your Will to help your Executor or Power of Attorney know what you have and what to do with them.

Estate Settlement

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:20 GMT

Sometimes estate settlement is one of the hardest aspects of dealing with the death of a family member. It doesn't have to be the case if proper preparation of all estate documents took place before the death. If you have the services of an experienced estate lawyer at your disposal, there can be even less worry and strife.

What is Probate?

Probate: the official proving of a will. The probate process is intended to establish the legal validity of a will, but it involves so much more than merely confirming that the signed, witnessed, and registered copy of a will is authentic.

The Probate Process

In addition to proving in a court of law that the deceased individual's will is valid, probate also declares the probate process also involves:

Identifying and inventorying the deceased's personal and real property
Having the property appraised
Paying debts and taxes
Distributing the remaining property as the will (or if there is no will, then provincial law) directs

What Happens When There is No Will?

When someone dies without leaving a dated, signed and properly witnessed Will, the court decides who should receive the deceased's assets. It won't matter what your familial relationships were like; the state will award property and cash to the survivors based solely on their legal relationship with the deceased. This is called dying "intestate." Generally, only spouses, common-law spouses, and blood relatives inherit under intestate succession laws.

All this can be avoided if you take care of things ahead of time. When you leave documents that clearly state who you wish to get your property and cash after you die, you better support your survivors in coming to terms with your death without leaving them with a lot of unnecessary distress.

Hiring a Lawyer

Losing a loved one can be an overwhelming experience and when you add estate settlement issues, the months following the death can be much more than we bargained for. That's when it might be advantageous to hire a Lawyer.

Creating a Positive Death Experience

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:19 GMT

We believe informed choices come from learning. Join us to hear interesting presenters speak about relevant topics that will better prepare you for arranging a funeral or memorial service.

Wednesday November 4, 2020, 2:00 p.m. CST

Facebook Live

Creating a Positive Death Experience

- with Gina Vliet - Death Literacy Consultant & Founder of Charon Consulting .

FAQ: Funeral Events

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:18 GMT

Frequently Asked Questions for Funeral Events

For Friends of the Bereaved

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:17 GMT

People can be very supportive in the initial days after a death. There are lots of things for them to do: help to make funeral arrangements, notify other friends and family of the death, and take care of day-to-day chores. It's a matter of being friends: taking on the necessary tasks, so survivors have the time and energy to actively mourn their loss.

Unfortunately, once the funeral is over, things can change dramatically. This support system can dissolve as people return to their routines. The phone stops ringing and the bereaved may find their days and nights to be long and lonely.

How to Help Someone in Mourning

It's about not walking away. Granted, you may part company after the funeral, but a true ally doesn't stay away long; a good ally keeps checking in with the bereaved. Being a friend in need during this time can feel very difficult.

Rachael Naomi Remen, M.D, wrote what she considers to be the focus of this grief work: "Grieving allows us to heal, to remember with love rather than pain. It is a sorting process. One by one you let go of things that are gone and you mourn for them. One by one you take hold of the things that have become a part of who you are and build again." You do that with a model of task-oriented bereavement.

The Four Tasks of Mourning

James Worden writes that the four things that must be completed to adjust with the death of a significant other are:

To accept the reality of the loss
To process the pain of grief
To adjust to a world without the deceased
To find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life

Those four tasks define the work of grieving. When you choose to become an ally to someone in mourning, it becomes your responsibility to support them in achieving those things within their time frame—not yours.

In no way should you impose a limit on the amount of time their bereavement takes; the only limitations you can set have to do with any negative behaviors you witness. Is your friend using alcohol or drugs to manage their emotions? Are their eating habits becoming destructive? Are they choosing to isolate themselves from the world? All those things should raise red flags. If you think their grief has overwhelmed them and set them upon a self-destructive course, it may be time to suggest they see a certified grief counselor or therapist.

Other meaningful things you can do to help them successfully adapt to their loss—again using Worden's four tasks as our guide—include:

Attending their loved one's funeral is just the first step in accepting the reality of the loss. Taking them to visit their loved one's grave or other places of interment to leave flowers or spend time in conversation and contemplation continues this process. Never force them to go; only suggest and then support them when they agree to your suggestion.
Empathetic listening—listening not just with your ears but with your heart. It goes a long way in helping them to process the pain of grief. Be willing.
They will have to learn to be functional in this new world without their loved ones. That can involve practical assistance from you: help pay the bills, assist with grocery shopping, or offer your support while they learn or relearn how to do something.
The bereaved must reintegrate their sense of self while at the same time process any changes in their beliefs, values, and assumptions about the world. Again, empathetic listening without judgment gives them a safe space to work out these significant changes in their worldview.
Help them to find a suitable place in their emotional life for the deceased: "A place that is important but that leaves room for others" and "a place that will enable them to go on living effectively in the world.” It is suggested that they envision what they would want for themselves if their grief were magically removed.

Writer Barbara Kingsolver penned these wise words about friendship: “The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.” She's so right – never stay away because you're frightened of saying something inappropriate. In Coping with the Loss of a Loved One, The American Cancer Society said it best: "Be there. Even if you don't know what to say, just having someone near can be very comforting."

Other simple tips include these:

Ask how the bereaved person feels and listen to the answer. Don’t assume you know how they will feel on any given day.
Listen and give support but don’t try to force someone if they’re not ready to talk.
Accept whatever feelings the person expresses. If you can’t imagine feeling like they do, never tell them how they should or shouldn’t feel.
Give reassurance without minimizing the loss. Try to have empathy with the person without assuming you know how they feel.

Author Sarah Dessen captured the nature of good listening in this passage from her book, Just Listen: “This is the problem with dealing with someone who is actually a good listener. They don’t jump in on your sentences, saving you from actually finishing them or talk over you; allowing what you do manage to get out to be lost or altered in transit. Instead they wait, so you have to keep going.”

So, as an ally to your bereaved friend or family member, you need to cultivate patience and the willingness to wait. Be watchful for signs of depression, which may include continuing thoughts of worthlessness or hopelessness, being unable to perform day-to-day activities, feelings of intense guilt, extreme weight loss and thoughts of death or suicide. The American Cancer Society cautions that, "if symptoms like these last more than two months after the loss, the bereaved person is likely to benefit from professional help. If the person tries to hurt him or herself, or has a plan to do so, they need help right away."

Sources:

Worden, James, Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, 4th Edition, 2009.
Bailey, J.D. "How to Help a Friend Who is Grieving", Huffington Post, 2013
American Cancer Society, "Coping with the Loss of a Loved One", 2012

Funerals vs. Celebrations of Life

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:16 GMT

It's interesting; funerals and celebrations of life have much in common, yet they often appear very different. Each is a ceremony, a gathering of people who share a common loss. It's just that one is more rooted in tradition, while the other is the result of recent changes in social values. But both serve to do three things:

Help the bereaved family and their community publicly acknowledge the death of one of their own
Support the grieving family by surrounding them with caring friends, co-workers, and neighbors
Move the deceased from one social status to another

Yet, they achieve those things in very different ways. First, let's take a closer look at what most of us commonly see as very traditional funerals.

The Funeral

It's not surprising funerals have been around for a very long time. Composed of three activities, the visitation, the funeral service, and the committal service, performed at the graveside - this funeral is the one we'd easily recognize from contemporary literature and film.

The Visitation

Held before the funeral, often the night before, but sometimes on the same day, the visitation (or viewing) is when people come to support the family and, more importantly, pay their respects to the deceased. This often involves stepping up to the casket to view the body; either in the company of a member of the surviving family or on your own.

The Funeral Service

Commonly held in the funeral home or church, the traditional funeral service is led by an officiant of one kind or another (most commonly a pastor or the funeral director). This individual follows a very predictable funeral order of service which includes the singing of hymns, and invocations, Bible recitations, Scripture readings, and prayers led by the officiant.

The Committal Service

It takes place at the cemetery, after a slow and respectful automobile procession from where the funeral was held. The committal service ends when the casketed remains are lowered into the ground, and final prayers are said.

Celebrations of Life

Author Barbara Kingsolver, in her book The Poisonwood Bible, wrote “To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know.” We think this reflection is at the heart of a celebration of life . While a funeral, as we've described above, has more to do with the orderly and often spiritually defined, a celebration of life is more concerned with telling the story of the deceased. Celebrations of life are just that: a time when people come together more to celebrate the unique personality and achievements of the deceased than to merely witness or mark the change in their social status.

Celebrations of life are similar to memorial services , which can be described as a hybrid event, combining the flexibility of a celebration of life with many activities of a traditional funeral order-of-service.

There's more room for creativity in a celebration of life than a funeral. Since celebrations of life are commonly held after the individual's physical remains have been cared for through burial or cremation, there is much more time available to plan the event. And without doubt, this allows you to make better decisions about how you'd like to celebrate the life of someone you dearly loved.

Are You Undecided? Turn to Us.

We've got years of experience listening, brainstorming, and advising families how to best pay tribute to a beloved family member. That means we're the perfect people to help you decide between a funeral and a celebration of life. We'll explore your funeral service options with you in detail, taking all the time you need.

In the book Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, you'll find this fundamental truth: “Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even its end.” As funeral professionals, we help families express reverence for life. Let us do that for your family. Call our funeral home to speak with a member of our staff.

Sources:

Barbara Kingsolover, The Poisonwood Bible
Joanne Harris, Chocolat

FAQ: Memorial Services

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:15 GMT

Frequently Asked Questions for Memorial Services

Planning A Memorial In Winnipeg

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:14 GMT

Our first step is to sit down with you and talk. You can tell us how you want to create a meaningful Memorial Event. Whether you're pre planning or need help right away, we're here for you.

Things you need to know to plan a memorial service in Winnipeg

Here is how we help. There are a few necessary tasks that we will perform:

Collecting Vital Statistics to register the death.
Preparing Canada Pension Plan applications for the Death Benefit and Survivor’s pensions
Ordering the necessary Proofs of Death (funeral home and Province of Manitoba)
Preparing the Burial Permit (Province of Manitoba)
Doing the removal from place of death (mileage applies beyond Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway)
Taking care of the cremation (with the deceased in a cardboard container)
Providing the guest book
Arranging the graveside service, if there is one (including calling the cemetery and arranging family appointments)

What the graveside service looks and sounds like is really up to you. We have helped organize a large variety of different kinds of memorial services, and we're happy to share our insight and experience with you. Whether you are looking for a traditional memorial or something very unique, we would be honoured to help.

If your loved one is being cremated, we will talk about selecting a suitable urn. You can purchase one through us or another source. Or, if you have something special that you'd like to use, we can let you know if it will work.

It could be just about anything: hockey skates, decorative boxes, teapots, artillery shells, vases, toolboxes, etc. As long as the receptacle is large enough and can close securely, we can probably make it work.

We can also provide other services, including:

Putting the obituary in the paper
Talking with the service officiant
Arranging your favourite music, food, flowers, etcetera
Printing memorial cards or bulletins
Preparing video tributes and/or webcasting
And anything else that is special and important

It just depends on your needs and plans.

Organizing Your Memorial

Some people today prefer to plan and organize their memorial services. We're pleased to offer services to support you in this decision. It's useful to have a funeral professional helping you along the way to make sure your plans are proceeding smoothly. We can be as involved as you need.

What is a Memorial Service?

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:57:13 GMT

Unlike a traditional funeral, a memorial service is a gathering where a casket is not present (although the urn with the cremated remains may be on display). A memorial service can be held weeks or even months after the death.

A memorial service can be held in a church, the funeral home or a community hall, or somewhere of importance to the deceased and family. There is usually music, selected readings, and a eulogy. Memorial services can be further personalized as a celebration of life .

Memorial Service Ideas

Our experience has shown us that many families want more than a traditional funeral. It can be done by bringing more of the personality and lifestyle of the deceased into the arrangements. By displaying photographs or staging the event around a favourite pastime, a memorial service can become more personal and meaningful.

If a personalized memorial service suits the needs of your family, we suggest you consider the following questions:

What did your loved one like to do?
What were they like as an individual?
What was their profession and how did that shape their life?
Was your loved one spiritual?
Were they proud of their cultural or ethnic heritage?

We're Here to Advise, Assist, and Guide You

Using the above five questions as our guide, we will spend the time to help create a fitting memorial service for your loved one. Please call us to learn the details of our memorial service planning process.

Why a Memorial Service?

Rather than opting to do things "the same old way," many families want to celebrate the life of a loved one. Many funeral service professionals see this change as one of the many contributions to social change made by "Baby Boomers." The National Funeral Directors Association notes, "As baby boomers age and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves. They make funeral choices based on values that are different from previous generations. Baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make them meaningful." If you desire to make the funeral for a loved one more engaging and personally meaningful, a celebration of life may be the perfect concept to build on.

How Does a Celebration of Life Differ from a Traditional Funeral?

As mentioned on the page Traditional Funeral Services, four components make up the conventional approach to funerals:

A Visitation
The Funeral Service
A Committal Service
The Funeral Reception

A traditional funeral then is a series of events; it's a ritualized process where the deceased, and the attendees, pass from one social status to another; a process where the torn fabric of a family and community is repaired. According to the online article "Six Characteristics of Helpful Ceremonies," by William Hoy, Director of Grief Connect, this is done by including:

Symbols of shared significance intended to communicate beyond words
Ritual actions shared by a group of individuals
Gathered people providing comfort to one another
Connection to heritage through recognized readings
Increased physical contact between attendees provide comfort
Witnessing the transition of the body through burial or cremation

In knowing these characteristics, you can design a Celebration of Life as unique as the life of your loved one.

The illuminating talk with your family about your funeral plans.

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 21:20:49 GMT

It can be a difficult conversation, but sometimes...

Talking about your funeral wishes can be one of the most challenging conversations you could have with your family or Executor.

Sometimes the conversation will go well. Mom and dad (aunt's uncles, etc.) sit down and go over their plans, answer questions, and even banter over cheeky comments.

Everyone feels better because a difficult conversation answered questions and made the wishes clear.

Then, there are times when children don't want to hear anything; perhaps thinking mom and dad are invincible, and this conversation is not necessary.

My best advice is to write out your wishes, put it in a sealed envelope and give it to your children. Tell them what it is and hope they'd read it sooner than later, so if there are questions, you are still here to answer them. If not, well, at least they know your wishes.

So, what if it's your parents that refuse to talk about their wishes? Well, that's a lot tougher and could leave you scrambling to know what to do. It's like putting a puzzle together. With patience, you gather one piece of information at a time by asking random questions, so you get an understanding of what they want.

Once you have had the conversation, you can be confident everyone will feel much better and grateful for the time taken to share your wishes.

So, What Do You Do Anyway?

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 03:42:23 GMT

It's more than a shiny car and nice clothes...

Manitoba is fortunate to have over two hundred licenced funeral directors who take care of many details about the funeral event, coordinating everything to make it run smoothly, creating comfort for everyone.

So, other than driving in a nice car, dressed like we're meeting the banker, what else do we do?

While a funeral director's role is wide-ranging, collecting information and providing documents are essential tasks we do.

Every death is registered with the province, territory or other jurisdiction the death occurred.

While some information required varies from place to place, the basics are:

Full legal name of deceased

Place of Death

Date of Death

Home Address

Social Insurance Number

Date of Birth

Age

Marital Status

Spouse' name (maiden)

Occupation (ex: Mail Order Clerk) Retired is NOT an occupation; that's your goal.

Industry (ex: T. Eaton Co. Ltd.)

Deceased father's name and place of birth

Deceased mother's name (maiden) and place of birth

Informant's name, relationship and address

Disposition (cremation, burial, other (body donation to science))

Date of Disposition

As I gather this information (on my Mac if I'm at your at home), the program I use also prepares many other documents to provide the executor:

Canada Pension Death and Survivor's Benefit applications

Funeral Home Proof of Death

Provincial Death Certificates

Provincial Burial Permit

And several more...

And with a few clicks, they are printed or emailed to you.

This part of our work does not take as much time as other aspects of creating the funeral event. But it is essential, as it helps aid in the administration of the Estate and, like everything we aim to do, lessen the burden and stress.

The Best Way To Pre-Pay Your Funeral

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 20:39:31 GMT

Put your money away ahead of time to pay for your funeral

There are several options to put your money away ahead of time to pay for your funeral.

While there are many ways to do this on your own, the most common is to work

with a funeral home.

There are two ways for a funeral home to take care of pre-arranged funds.

Depositing into a Trust Account.
Deposit with a funeral insurance company.

Both are acceptable ways for your money to be held, and some funeral homes may offer both.

Many funeral homes will hold funds in a Trust Account.

Funds must be held in a Trust Account that is a Provincially regulated financial institution.
The funeral home must be licensed through the Pre-Arranged Funeral Services Act.
Funds are generally pooled with every other client.
Prepayment on funeral goods and products only – not disbursements (obituaries, etc.)
May not be easily transferrable to another funeral home (unless with a national company.)
Contracts are cancelled in order to release the funds.
Usually the interest is withheld by the funeral home.

The other alternative is holding the funds in a “Third Party” funeral insurance policy.

There are many available, however one of the most common is Assurant Life of Canada – more widely known as Purple Shield.

Funeral home is licensed through the Insurance Council of Manitoba.
Funds held in an individual policy with the insurance company – not with the funeral home.
Other optional insurance products may be available.
Travel insurance (to repatriate if a death occurs while away.)
Funds are protected if the funeral home closes.
Easily transferrable to another funeral home.

It’s always best to make informed decisions; making the future easier for your family.

We would be honoured if you chose to work with us to plan your funeral. Please contact Richard today at 204-219-1126 or richard@richardrosin.ca

Photo of money by Michelle Spollen on Unsplash

What's the Cheapest Way to Have a Funeral Event

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 17:25:05 GMT

When it comes to creating a funeral event, that might not be a great idea.

One of the joys of living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the "badge of honour" we wear when we get a great deal for something we buy.

You 'buy' a funeral because someone you care about has died, and you need to create the means of celebrating, grieving and setting positive emotional foundations for living without them.

Kinda hard to move on when you're still focused on the 'deal,' you got from the supplier who was late and didn't deliver as promised.

So, let's change the word "cheapest" to "best" and move forward in a better way.

The first and best advice I can offer is to stop. Breathe and relax.

Think of all the things important to your deceased, the wishes they may have shared and create the funeral event around them.

Rules of thumb:

- The more important the wish, the better to select the right product or service without breaking the bank.

- The small things that cost little can make all the difference.

I had an aunt that loved those hard round peppermint candies that, to me, tasted like Pepto Bismol. We never left her house without taking one. So at her funeral event, I bought a few packages and put them in bowls for people to take as they went.

The value of that emotionally connected item was priceless, yet cost about 4.00.

So, there you have it—my take on creating a meaningful funeral event.

Be mindful of what is important; take the time to purchase carefully and remember you are creating a positive foundation for moving on without the one you've celebrated and grieve.

Questions I've Been Asked

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 02:23:23 GMT

And the answers are informative and fun.

I invest a lot of time meeting people at various events, meetings, and of course, funerals.

One common question is, "Does it cost more to hold a deceased until the funeral?"

This can happen because circumstances demand the funeral home hold a deceased for an extended period.

Usually, a funeral home will begin charging a holding fee after the first month. The costs could be around $25.00 to $50.00 a month.

So, why the charge? Your person would be held in a refrigerated room during their stay and be checked from time to time, watching for any changes, especially dehydration. We keep them hydrated with cream and apply it to their face and hands.

I've also been asked, or instead told, "I don't want a funeral, can I do this?"

Absolutely. But I would ask why.

A funeral event is for the people left behind, gathering as a community to share their memories of you.

But here's a compromise. Perhaps if you only wish an interment or scattering of your Cremated Remains (see my blog about this), let everyone gather there. Instead of a formal reception, they could go for coffee or a meal at your favourite place.

And finally, perhaps my favourite. "What made you choose this line of work?" I usually say (with a slight twinkle in my eye), "I was 17 when my Dad died in 1982. Mom spent so much for the funeral that I had to work for the funeral home to pay it off."

I didn't choose to live my life as a funeral director.

It chose me.

Next up - What is the cheapest way to have a funeral event.

(photo used with permission)

Taken by Mike Sudoma Photography at my Business Launch, March 22, 2018

Travelling with Cremated Remains

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 21:34:10 GMT

Simple advice for a positive travel experience.

Enriching memories fill our lives, including travel and living in places away from where we were born.

It's common for funeral directors to hear that cremated remains are to go to a distant favourite place to be scattered (see June 5th's blog) or buried in the family grave.

How do you get them there?

Plan ahead.

The CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) website, has provided some straightforward rules if you're flying.
https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/cremated-remains

In a nutshell:
1.    The urn must be able to pass through the x-ray. Wood, cardboard, and plastic are more likely to pass than metal, stone or ceramic. If it can not x-ray, it will NOT be allowed on board. Screening officers are not allowed to open an urn or inspect the contents even if you open it yourself.
2.    Documentation from the funeral home verifying contents will not exempt these rules.
3.    To be safe, ask your funeral director to provide a temporary plastic urn and travel with the empty permanent one.

4. If traveling outside of Canada, check with the Embassy of the destination country to ensure you have the right documentation and container.

Planning will eliminate disappointment at the airport and make the travel a positive experience.

Your urn is a What? Cool!

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 15:55:27 GMT

You do NOT have to buy an urn from the funeral home or cemetery.

A few summers ago, I was making arrangements with a family at their cottage. (Yup, I will come to you). We talked about the urn for their mom, and they shared rapid thoughts of what she'd like.

"We're not doing any of that," I said.

Silence prevailed.

"Your mom's urn is in the room with us," I said as I pointed to the pot-bellied stove, upon which sat a kettle painted black and white like a dairy cow. It even had a red bell hanging from the spout! Her love of cows filled the cottage.

So, what have I seen? The most recent is this blog photo. It's the wish of someone I know to use that Tequila bottle. I've seen hockey skates, artillery shells, tackle and sewing boxes, and the list goes on.

Things to know when choosing your urn:

- Will all of you fit? The minimum industry standard of an urn is 200 cubic inches. If your choice of urn is too small, the funeral home will return the remainder in a plastic bag. (apologies to my Green friends). If this concerns you, try to choose something larger.

- It should have a lid to keep the Cremated Remains secure.

Cemeteries may have particular requirements, especially columbarium size that could, however, restrict your wishes.

To close, I must say to everyone I've served over these many decades; I owe you a debt of gratitude. Your inspirations of cow kettles and tequila bottles are an absolute joy. It's a true honour for me to work with you.

Next up - travelling with Cremated Remains.

Dealing With Digital Assets Before & After Death

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 18:11:53 GMT

Understanding Your Life in a Digital World

Richard Rosin Funeral Director Ltd., is pleased to sponsor an informative talk with Sharon Hartung, author of Your Digital Undertaker ,

on how to manage a loved one's digital assets now and after they have died.

Event Description

The world has gone digital, and so has our estates. Everyone needs a will, and in the digital age, your estate now includes your entire digital life. For the executors, let it motivate you to ask a lot more questions about your role before you get handed "digital chaos in a handbasket." The first book of its kind drawing the reader into the world of estate planning with a digital twist, bringing the two worlds together. For those having challenging conversations with their parents, family members, business partners or clients, let Your Digital Undertaker ask some of the fundamental questions and open the door for a meaningful discussion.

Speaker

Sharon Hartung, Captain (Ret'd), PEng, MSc, BEng, PMP, CD, TEP, RMC, and author of 'Your Digital Undertaker' is a retired aerospace engineering officer from the Royal Canadian Air Force and former technology executive from IBM. She has been providing information technology management and advice to clients for over 30 years. Recognized as an innovator throughout her career, Sharon is currently an entrepreneur in the estate industry. With her experience in information technology, project managemen, and consulting, Sharon brings unique multiple disciplinary approaches to managing digital assets in estate planning and estate administration. She is currently a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) affiliate and a committee member of the STEP Global Digital Assets Special Interest Group.

Sponsored by: Richard Rosin Funeral Director Ltd.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

11:30 – 1:00 P.M.

30.00 + Eventbrite fee.

Registration/Event page link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/understanding-your-life-in-a-digital-world-with-sharon-hartung-tickets-109302005240

Scattering Gardens

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 22:25:30 GMT

My last blog discussed what you could do with Cremated Remains. We now travel together and consider Scattering Gardens.

Over the past few decades, several Winnipeg Churches have developed Scattering Gardens. In many rural Manitoba communities, the cemetery is an integral part of the church. A few Winnipeg churches are located on, or own cemeteries too.
Several cemeteries have included Scattering Gardens also.

To scatter Cremated Remains, means they return to Mother Earth with no urn. Most churches that have a garden provide an urn that can be given to the funeral home to place your person temporarily. The church keeps a record of the scattering. Most have an interment fee, and may only be available to members of the church.
Cemeteries that offer Scattering Gardens may not provide a temporary urn. Record keeping and fees apply here too.

It's important to note that the Cremation is the disposition registered with Manitoba's Vital Statistics office.
Make sure you or your family keep a record of the scattering, so future generations know where and when it took place.

Next time - Do you need an urn?

If I Had A Nickel - Questions about Cremated Remains

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 22:16:50 GMT

Is it illegal to scatter Cremated Remains?

If I had a nickel for every time I get asked this, my mortgage would be paid off ten times over!
Is it illegal to scatter Cremated Remains?
There is no specific provincial law that says you can't.
The Province of Manitoba allows scattering on Crown Land, provided it's not near an inlet used for potable water.

As in all things, Common Sense should be your guide.

You need to be aware that scattering is irreversible, so the location should have significant meaning and will remain enduring and safe.

Property that is not yours (like the flower planters at Portage and Main in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is not a good idea.

Cottages always come up as a favourite place.
However, this or any property may not remain in the family, and family members may be uncomfortable with the thoughts of leaving their person 'behind.'
Best pour them into the lake.

You will typically get an envelope with the Cremated Remains called a Certificate of Cremation. I always suggest writing on the back when and where the scattering took place and who was there. This Certificate is the final record of your person's disposition for future generations to know what happened.

We are special and unique. And so is how we choose to be celebrated and where we want to end up.

A little planning and asking funeral people you can trust makes the Scattering Day much more relaxed.

Stay tuned. More to come on this topic...

How to Choose a Winnipeg Funeral Home

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 23:05:11 GMT

Winnipeg, Manitoba is a special and unique place to live, work and play.
We take pride in our winters, revel in year-round activities and rely on each other for help.

We also love to price shop and read reviews for almost every product and service we buy.

This is often true for funerals.

So how do you choose a funeral home in Winnipeg that is right for you?

Word of mouth is the strongest and best way to select a funeral home because you are relying upon the experiences of people you already know and trust.
Online reviews can be helpful. Does the funeral home interact by honestly replying to reviews and comments promptly?

When speaking with a funeral home, take into account their personality and attitude. We are all pretty good at judging people within a few seconds. This is a significant moment in your life, and you don't want to feel uncomfortable by the people you are paying to help you.

Things to consider if you're calling to choose a Winnipeg funeral home:

1.    I realize this may not be easy, but try to be clear in what you need and ask the same questions of each funeral home. "We require cremation a memorial service and interment in the family grave."
2.    Write down their answers. Were they clear and offered useful information.
3.    Make sure you are comparing 'apples with apples' in the services and price they are offering.

4. You get what you pay for. The lowest price, while tempting, may not provide everything you need. Was it such a great deal when you had to do so much on your own?

You don't have to panic and pick the first name you see.

Take a deep breath and take the time needed to choose the funeral home that is right for you.

Keeping Track of our Digital Assets

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 19:32:17 GMT

Just like your golf clubs or dishes, your POA and Executor need to know about your Digital Assets.

As Manitobans and Canadians, we all have much more time on our hands as we stay in our Winnipeg homes and keep ourselves safe from the C-19 virus.

It’s giving us a unique opportunity to take stock and perhaps refocus our lives to become more positive and fulfilling.

One thing that most of us haven’t considered is our Digital Assets.

Just like golf clubs or dishes, they are part of our lives, but are unseen yet need protecting.

A Digital Asset is any device, App or service we use to manage our online lives.

Examples are:

Cloud services

Subscriptions to Netflix, Apple TV, etc.

Photo editing and file sharing Apps

E-mail and Banking

E-Commerce such as Amazon, Kijiji, and Skip the Dishes.

Cryptocurrency accounts.

E-Revenues from published books, advertising or commissions.

Social Media Accounts (Facebook, LinkeIn, Twitter, etc)

I'm curious - how many of you have received a Facebook notification telling you of a friend's birthday, knowing they died a while ago?

It only takes a few minutes to update IF your Executor knows, and has access.

Now is the time to inventory your Digital Assets; including all their user names and passwords.

Doing this now will save your Power of Attorney and Executor a lot of headaches.

Yes - they need to know about this too.

And yes, you should be updating your Will to include your Digital Assets.

There's an inventory booklet available as a PDF, provided by STEP (The Society of Trustees and Estate Planners)

Click HERE and you'll go to the page on my site.

We're Always Here for You - now more than ever.

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 18:35:27 GMT

Funerals - To Be or Not To Be?

As of April 1, 2020 the Manitoba Government has mandated closures of many businesses and services.

Funeral companies in the province are exempt and remain open, with certain rules and regulations to follow.

Our Winnipeg funeral home has always been mobile, with most funeral arrangements or preplanning discussions made in the comfort of your home (where your coffee is no doubt better than mine).

But for now, we meet at a distance - either by phone or a video conference using "Zoom".

We can either send you the form for Vital Statistics to fill in and e-mail back, or we'll take the information when we "meet".

We can send most documents by e-mail. The Provincial Death Certificate will be mailed to you directly from Vital Statistics.

Modern technology also allows for payments to be made online.

These new Provincial rules restrict gatherings for a funeral to 10 people or less.

While you may not be able to gather as you would have - technology can help.

The use of smart phones and video conferencing Apps can bring people together safely.

We have decades of experience in webcasting and are here to help bring your family and friends together.

We as Prairie People always find a way to get things done. Working together, we grow stronger.

Planning Funerals Around COVID-19

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:16:00 GMT

Technology Like Video Streaming Can Help Families Grieve Together

Technology brings us closer.

It is difficult at the best of times to be able to celebrate life’s important moments when your busy life and distance won’t allow for easy travel.

It becomes even more difficult to make travel plans in time when it comes to the passing of a loved one.

COVID - 19 is now making travel from a distance almost impossible as countries close their borders, public health authorities recommend against gathering in groups, and many local venues are either closing or restricting access to large groups.

Technology, with the use of video recording and webcasting, has made the distance between loved ones nearly disappear for over 20 years. It may not be ideal, but it helps families and friends come together to grieve the passing of a loved one.

We have expertise in working with local video companies who can record the service, making it available for immediate webcast or uploading soon after the funeral event.

Call us anytime and we can help bring everyone together using easy technology as a virus-free solution. 204-219-1126.

What Do You Do If A Loved One Dies On Holiday?

rrosin@icloud.com (Richard Rosin) — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:10:39 GMT

Rule #1: Call Your Local Funeral Director Back Home

NOTE: When we get out of the challenges of C-19, I hope this information, if needed will be helpful - Richard

Canadians are world travelers, with 50% of us escaping long winters for sun, sand and sea.

It is unfortunate, when an unexpected tragedy occurs.

What do you do?

Richard Rosin, President of Richard Rosin Funeral Director Ltd. has very simple advice –

“Call your local funeral home.” Many people think they should look for a funeral home in the country or city they are visiting, but the better place to start is by calling a funeral director back home in Manitoba.

“We are a vital link to your Travel Agent and travel insurance company to make all the necessary arrangements for Repatriation; from arranging Embassy and Consular services, document translation, flights and more,” Rosin says.

What else should vacationers know?

“As hard as it is, please try to be patient”, Richard tells us. “The further away you are, the longer it takes for communication over several time zones and numerous details have to be in place before a flight home can be booked.”

I want everyone to enjoy their vacations and create wonderful memories.

But it’s good to be knowledgeable too.

Call me anytime and I’ll help answer your questions - 204-219-1126.

Richard Rosin Funeral Director offers a wide variety of funeral services from traditional services to eco-funerals.

Can I Get A Biodegradable Casket In Manitoba?

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:26:27 GMT

Yes, you can get a biodegradable casket in Winnipeg. The growing popularity of green or natural burials has made it easier to purchase biodegradable caskets. You can buy them online or through a funeral director like me. You can also make them yourself if you’d like.

The most popular biodegradable or green caskets are made of cardboard. These will break down and decompose naturally along with the body they carry.

You can also purchase caskets woven from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or willow. Simple wood caskets (the ‘pine box’) are also good options for some families. They can be purchased. I’ve also seen people make them at home completely out of biodegradable materials.

When a family requests an eco-friendly burial, we will walk them through their options and how to look after all the details. Sometimes families want a funeral director like me to look after everything for them and I’m happy to do that. Other times, they prefer to look after many of the details themselves. In those cases, I’m on hand to provide advice and help them through the process.

We answer questions about funerals in this space regularly. If you have a question about funerals, cremations or burials in Winnipeg or Manitoba, please email me at richard@richardrosin.ca .

Green Burials In Manitoba

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 16:32:54 GMT

Many people ask me if green funerals are allowed in Manitoba. The answer is yes. Some people may call them eco-funerals or natural burials. They’re becoming increasingly popular alternatives for families who want to have a simpler, green option for saying goodbye to their loved one.

Green funerals aren’t new. In fact, they’re a very old tradition. Before we had a modern funeral industry, families took care of their dead themselves.

When we’re asked about offering a green or natural burial, one of the first questions we must ask is if the family wishes to keep the deceased in their home? If so, we will advise them on what to do. They must keep the deceased dry and cool.

Some families like to hang black crepe ribbons beside their front door as a sign that the family is in mourning. Family, friends and neighbours can come by to bring their love and comfort to the grieving family. You can invite your clergy to come to the house as well.

Some families who choose a green burial in this fashion say that looking after a dead family member helps them absorb and accept the death more quickly and more fully. It can be a profound experience to say goodbye to a family member in this way.

You don’t have to keep the deceased at home. We can arrange to move the deceased to another location in preparation for burial.

What does a green burial look like?

Green burials or funerals look very much like any other kind of funeral except extra care is made to make sure that the burial won’t have any negative impact on the environment.

There are five principles of green burials according to Green Burial Canada .

No embalming
Direct earth burial – the remains are shrouded and then either buried directly or placed in a fully biodegradable casket. Cardboard caskets are often used.
Ecological restoration and conservation – after some time, the surface of the grave is planted with indigenous plants such as groundcover, shrubs or trees. These can be pre-planned.
Communal Memorialization – the use of individual memorials or headstones is discouraged.
Optimize land use – a well planned green burial cemetery will minimize the use of infrastructure such as roads. The re-use of graves in a green cemetery can also be accommodated if well-managed.

For Manitobans, only the first two principles are easily achieved. Currently, we do not have any green burial cemeteries available in the province. Cemeteries will respond to what their customers want. So if enough people request green burial options, we can expect more options of this kind to become available.

If you’re interested in exploring the idea of a green or natural burial, we would be honoured to help you understand how it will work. Call us at 204-219-1126.

We answer questions about funerals in this space regularly. If you have a question about funerals, cremations or burials in Winnipeg or Manitoba, please email me at richard@richardrosin.ca