Blog

At Affordable Burials and Cremations, we meet with Torontonians every day whose lives have been upended after the death of a friend or family member. When the person who died owned an animal, there is often discussion on how family pets react to loss. After all, as any pet owner can attest, animals grieve in their own way. They may not grasp the significance of a death, but they too create bonds with others that are the center of their universe. When a bond is broken – be it with a human or another animal – their stability is shaken. read more …

People can be a little unsettled by a discussion about death, but it’s so important that end-of-life discussions happen within all Toronto families, as well as between a family or individual and a trusted service provider. From our experience at Affordable Burials and Cremations, making prearrangements can be particularly beneficial, mentally and emotionally for those facing a terminal illness or those who are nearing the end of life naturally. If that describes you, or you just like to plan for the future, here are four ways preplanning can help you process the idea of death and even find comfort in read more …

Here at Affordable Burials and Cremations, our compassionate staff helps our grieving neighbors throughout Toronto. Grief over the death of a loved one is a difficult thing for anyone, no matter their gender. Because of socialization and cultural norms, many men experience grief in a particular way. Compared to women, men tend to grieve in isolation and silence. A man’s cultural background and family upbringing have a lot to do with how he responds to difficult life situations and handles his grief. A lot of men don’t share their own grief to avoid adding to the emotional burden of others. Some read more …

When a family decides to open their own business – be it a restaurant, a bookstore, or a funeral home – they put their hearts and souls into their work. They rely on positive word of mouth to expand and find new customers. Neighbors telling neighbors about a positive experience. Locals who recommend products or services to their friends, family, and coworkers. That was certainly the case for the Newbigging family who opened their doors more than 50 years ago. They worked hard to build a business they could be proud of, instilling in Andrew Newbigging a strong sense of read more …

If someone you love has just died, your head is probably spinning. Your life will never be the same, but there are some very practical things you need to handle. Here are the top five things the team at Affordable Burials and Cremations says you need to do after losing someone close to you. 1.) Report the death. If your loved one dies in a Toronto-area doctor’s office, nursing home, hospital, or in hospice care, a doctor will be able to do this for you. If they die at home, you will need to call 911. 2.) Make Affordable Burials read more …

In many ways, a company’s website is a modern-day storefront, offering visitors a first impression about what they do and who they are. This is certainly the case here at Affordable Burials and Cremation, as our website tells our family’s story and the history of our class 1 transfer service, provides information on the burial and cremation services we offer, features online obituaries, and so much more. We’re here to help you, our friends and neighbors in Toronto, when you need us most, and our website reflects just how important you are to us. Maybe you found us online when read more …

Years ago, there was one factor that kept many families from considering cremation when they were planning a funeral: People used to believe that if they chose cremation they could not have a funeral service, or if they did, it wouldn’t be as meaningful as it might be with traditional burial. When you choose cremation Affordable Burials and Cremations, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We can put you in touch with people who are experts at customizing a funeral service with the individual’s culture, values, and personality. When families come to Affordable Burials and Cremations, they discover that read more …

The new year is here, and we know many of our neighbors in Toronto are thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. This is the time for not only a refresh, but it’s a chance to consciously do something different in the coming year. Our New Year’s resolution here at Affordable Burials and Cremations? Focus on gratitude. We know the idea of gratitude may be difficult if you’ve recently suffered a loss. You might be thinking, “I just lost my dad. Why should I be grateful?” or “Life will never be the same without Mom.” It’s easy to lose hope and read more …

You might be surprised how many strong opinions you have about your own funeral, memorial service, and final resting place. Our Affordable Burials and Cremations staff has found this to be true for most Torontonians we’ve talked to over the years. While many people haven’t spent much time thinking through their end-of-life details, they have preferences when asked – and that’s what our team is here to help with. Think of it: Do you have an opinion about cremation or traditional burial? Would you rather have a quiet, intimate gathering of family and friends or a more lavish send-off with read more …