There is an old wives’ tale, Green Christmas make for a full graveyard.
This grim prediction appears to have two main theories. The cold weather kills the germs and viruses, therefore with the warm weather, they survive and there is more sickness. The second theory is the warm weather makes it easier for people to be out and about, therefore more spreading of the germs and viruses.
I cannot find any data finding any truth to this wives’ tale, as stats do not seem to support it.
After this green Christmas, I am truly hoping it is not the case.
Traditionally, when someone passed, unless there were different circumstances, you could almost guess exactly when the wake and funeral would be over the next few days. Everything was very specific and regimented. However, funerals have changed, and much of the traditions we are used to have disappeared.
For some traditions, that may be a good thing – but there will always be traditions worth keeping.
Obituaries and death notices, even memorials, are often the first thing people read in the newspaper – and, for many, it will likely be the last thing written about their lives.
An obituary does more then serve as notification that an individual has passed away. Although this is extremely important as I am still hearing about people, I knew who passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An obituary is a farewell detailing a life in chronological order, and everyone has their own unique life story.
In nearly every case, it’s a story that should be told and preserved. We all know the deceased lived, but how that person lived and why that person lived are important. In addition to the basic facts — age, date of birth, date of death, survivors, predecessors — an obituary can include a person’s hobbies, favorite foods, sports teams, work history and any other accomplishments that made the deceased stand out.
Obituaries, like people, come in all different forms. They can be long and factual, or they could be short and humorous, however they’re made, they should suit the person and be something that loved ones can preserve and cherish.
An obituary gives the opportunity for those in the community to show their support. They can reach out with condolences, prayers, and offers to help. Everyone is so connected in our communities, there are stories and remembrances that not even close family members are aware of. It’s a time to show the positive impact the person had which will hopefully bring comfort to those in mourning.
It also marks the person in history.
Future may want to know more about that person and their history. Dates, places of birth, year of immigration, maiden names, children, spouses, and parents are all jumping-off points for genealogy researchers to trace their roots through obituaries.
Writing an obituary is difficult. At the same time, it can also be comforting for family members as they remember the positives. Recounting that person’s history and remembering why that person was important to you and others is important. Writing those memories down often provides admiration, perhaps even humor, that will remind you that the good things that live on.
The local funeral homes are professionals and will assist in the process.
The funeral homes also put the obituaries online for all to see, and my understanding is there is little or no cost for this. They can then be shared through social media.
This is great, but social media and online has limitations. In order to search for someone’s obituary, you need to know their full name (this may seem obvious but often what we call someone may not be their actual name) and you also have to be aware that they have passed and what funeral home.
Social media does not have the reach many think it does, and your circle will not necessarily be all their circle.
It isn’t tangible, you cannot save it, put it in a scrap book or have it for a keepsake.
Publishing an obituary does not have the cost many assume it does. This assumption likely comes from a provincial paper that charges almost 20-times what your local newspaper would charge.
I cannot justify that.
I can assure you in a local community newspaper the cost is minimal, and to us the revenue is certainly not what’s important. What is important is to simply tell the person’s story.
How and where a person’s obituary is printed or published, should be reflective of them. This is their last say and their record for history. While sad and difficult, an obituary should also be an act of remembrance, for the writer, the family, and the readers, as a way of connecting and processing the loss.