Obituaries

John O'Donnell
B: 1962-10-28
D: 2024-03-26
View Details
O'Donnell, John
Shirley Hamilton
B: 1942-10-28
D: 2024-03-21
View Details
Hamilton, Shirley
Nathan Thompson
B: 1991-02-26
D: 2024-03-18
View Details
Thompson, Nathan
Beverley Olsen
B: 1946-11-06
D: 2024-03-16
View Details
Olsen, Beverley
Donald Dennis
B: 1933-12-22
D: 2024-03-15
View Details
Dennis, Donald
Douglas Walker
B: 1955-05-27
D: 2024-03-11
View Details
Walker, Douglas
Daniel Rose
B: 1934-04-26
D: 2024-03-09
View Details
Rose, Daniel
Jeannie Duggan
B: 1938-01-12
D: 2024-03-07
View Details
Duggan, Jeannie
Jill Matthews
B: 1971-08-24
D: 2024-03-06
View Details
Matthews, Jill
Donna Harrison
B: 1946-05-26
D: 2024-03-05
View Details
Harrison, Donna
Carl Stewart
B: 1935-02-09
D: 2024-03-02
View Details
Stewart, Carl
John Meredith
B: 1965-03-28
D: 2024-02-29
View Details
Meredith, John
Ruth Stubbs
B: 1952-04-08
D: 2024-02-19
View Details
Stubbs, Ruth
William Pendleton
B: 1951-05-25
D: 2024-02-13
View Details
Pendleton, William
Barbara Wright
B: 1933-05-13
D: 2024-02-10
View Details
Wright, Barbara
Lester Cunningham
B: 1932-02-04
D: 2024-02-07
View Details
Cunningham, Lester
Robert Elliott
B: 1931-03-10
D: 2024-02-05
View Details
Elliott, Robert
Laura Gowland
B: 1942-06-16
D: 2024-02-02
View Details
Gowland, Laura
Richard Drewe
B: 1956-04-14
D: 2024-01-29
View Details
Drewe, Richard
Jacqueline Galea
B: 1961-06-16
D: 2024-01-26
View Details
Galea, Jacqueline
Leona Brownridge
B: 1925-02-18
D: 2024-01-20
View Details
Brownridge, Leona

Search

Use the form above to find your loved one. You can search using the name of your loved one, or any family name for current or past services entrusted to our firm.

Click here to view all obituaries
Search Obituaries
P.O. Box 130, 1 Highland Drive
Flesherton, ON N0C 1E0
Phone: (519) 924-2810
Fax: (519) 924-3614

Immediate Need

If you have immediate need of our services, we're available for you 24 hours a day.

Obituaries & Tributes

It is not always possible to pay respects in person, so we hope that this small token will help.

Order Flowers

Offer a gift of comfort and beauty to a family suffering from loss.

Pre-Arrangement

A gift to your family, sparing them hard decisions at an emotional time.

How to Write a Eulogy

The writing and reading of a eulogy is, 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? Editor 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 care for the survivors."  

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

  1. Outline the eulogy: In addition to helping you stay focused, an outline will keep your eulogy organized and effectively break down the task of writing into manageable pieces.
  2. Ask for the input of other family members and friends. They may be able to provide you with some great stories to share.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Go for the humor. Shared laughter is a very healing experience so don't be afraid to make people laugh.
  6. Write the first draft. Don't fuss over every word; just get your ideas on paper.
  7. Put it aside for a while. This has, no doubt, been an emotional experience. Take some time away from the writing desk to get perspective and release stress or sorrow.
  8. Come back to edit and polish. This is the time to refine the eulogy into its final form.
  9. 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 time. It is recommended that you:

  • 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 back-up 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. Period," 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 the Best Eulogies Online

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

Should you still find yourself in need of support, please give us a call at (519) 924-2810. We will be delighted to discuss other available resources. 

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