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Expressing Gratitude During Difficult Times

Blog Content Creator • Nov 30, 2021

Our role at Affordable Burials and Cremations gives us a unique perspective into how valuable life is and how challenging it can be. As we help our neighbors in Toronto plan funerals , and visitations, we see the overwhelming love people have for each other, as well as the pain and grief that accompany death.

When a loved one dies , it’s natural to focus on how much you have lost. How will you move on without that special person by your side? How can you begin to make sense of what happened? How do you work through the complex emotions – some of which you’ve never experienced before?

Our care team offers this encouragement: Choosing gratitude is essential as you wake up each morning and face a new day. You may not feel particularly grateful. You may even be thinking, “Gratitude is easy when life is going well, but I’m having a tough time right now! I have to find a transfer service and decide between cremation or burial.” We understand. We also know it’s possible to adopt practices to help you cope with loss. As we’ve learned over the years, gratitude is one of the most remarkable healing tools available.

Yes, it may feel challenging to have a positive outlook when you’re walking through dark times of life , but that is when gratitude is most important. Here are three ways to incorporate thankfulness into your life right now:

  1. Jot down the “little things” people do to show kindness. Sometimes it’s minor acts that mean the most – and you may not even realize how often they’re occurring. Many times, after losing a loved one, those left behind become isolated. They turn down invitations, prefer staying home, and have low energy. But it’s important to remember that you are not alone – and soon, you’ll have a list of kind acts to remind you of that.
  2. Every day, think of three specific things you’re grateful for in your life. Research shows that focusing on what we’re thankful for can improve sleep, increase positive emotions, and strengthen the immune system. In this moment, what are you grateful for in your life? Ask yourself that same question when you wake up tomorrow morning.
  3. Extend small kindnesses to others. In the weeks and months after losing a loved one, you may feel as if you’re sleepwalking through life. It can be draining to deal with the shock of death while forming new routines without the person who meant so much to you.

One essential way to keep their legacy alive is by passing on the love to others. You could write a thank-you note or send a text or email to someone who has supported you. Volunteering at an organization that meant a lot to your loved one and holding a door open for a stranger are also great ways to show love to others. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven’t talked to in a long time. Small gestures have a way of boosting not only the receiver – but also the giver.

Expressing thankfulness can keep you afloat during hard times and help you healthily rise above the pain of loss. Gratitude gives hope, and with that comes the reminder that life is a gift.

Our team at Affordable Burials and Cremations knows how important it is to count the many blessings in our lives. Remember that we’re here to support you and your family whenever you need us.

19 Oct, 2023
The death of a beloved friend or family member is one of life’s greatest challenges. Our staff at Affordable Burials and Cremations sees firsthand how a loss can turn the world upside down, creating unfamiliar feelings and unexpected reactions. Grief often affects a person physically, emotionally, and even spiritually, as they struggle to adjust to life without their loved one in it. Taking part in a grief group benefits you embracing the opportunity to express feelings with others who understand what they are going through. Some who have lost a loved one wonder if a support group could ever help them. They are so mired in their grief they can’t even imagine sitting down in a room of strangers. But support groups are a time-tested method of help for people struggling with all sorts of difficulties – and grief is among them. That said, it’s important to find a support group that works for you; one that is free of judgement, offers guidance, validation, and reassurance. Here are four groups our team recommends: GriefShare – Support online and in person for adults grieving a loss GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. Web Healing – Interactive Grief website Web Healing, the internet’s first interactive grief website, has served the bereaved on the net since 1995. It offers grief discussion boards where men and women can discuss issues related to grief and healing or browse recommended grief books. The site’s originator, Tom Golden, LCSW, is an internationally known psychotherapist, author, and speaker on the topic of healing from loss. The Compassionate Friends – Support after the death of a child Whether your family has had a child die (at any age, from any cause), or you are trying to help those who have gone through this life-altering experience, The Compassionate Friends exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process. The Compassionate Friends has been supporting bereaved families after the death of a child for four decades. Remember, no matter where you are in your grief journey, you can always turn to us for advice and assistance. We’ve been serving families in the Toronto area for more than 50 years now and have many connections and numerous resources available. You can c ount on us to be there for you – always.
19 Oct, 2023
1. Personalized service: Family-run businesses often provide a more personalized experience for their customers, as they may have more invested in the success of each individual customer. 2. Long-term focus: Family-run businesses prioritize long-term success over short-term gains, as they are vested in passing the business down to future generations. 3. Agility and flexibility: Family-run businesses are more agile and flexible in responding to changes in the market, as they do not have to go through multiple layers of bureaucracy to make decisions. 4. Stronger relationships: Family-run businesses have stronger relationships with their employees, as they view them more as family members than as just workers. 5. Community ties: Family-run businesses have stronger ties to the local community, as they have deep roots in the area and be more committed to supporting local initiatives. 6. Greater trust: Customers trust family-run businesses more than corporations, as they view them as more authentic and less focused solely on profits. 7. Innovation: Family-run businesses are more innovative in their approach to business, as they are more willing to take risks and try new things in order to stay competitive.
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Cost: Cremation is often less expensive than traditional burial because it eliminates the need for a casket, embalming, and cemetery plot. Environmental impact: Cremation has a smaller environmental impact than burial because it doesn’t require land for burial or the use of embalming chemicals. Flexibility: With cremation, the family has more flexibility in terms of when and where to hold a memorial service, as the ashes can be kept in an urn or scattered in a location of their choice. Religious and cultural acceptance: Cremation is more widely accepted in many religions and cultures than it once was. Space-saving: Cremation allows for more efficient use of space in cemeteries, which can be a concern in some urban areas.  It’s important to note that burial also has its advantages, such as providing a physical place for loved ones to visit and providing a sense of closure for some people. Ultimately, the choice between cremation and burial is a personal one and should be based on individual preferences, beliefs, and cultural practices.
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At Affordable Burials and Cremations we’ve noticed in recent years that more and more people are planning their own funeral. And some choose to do it rather early in life – many as soon as they retire. These people realize that not only are they taking the opportunity to express their own desires about their farewell, but they’re also removing a huge burden from their family. When the time comes, there will be no guessing and no arguments about what they would have wanted. Everything will be easily accessible for you.
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Throughout our lives, we collect quite a few things possessions: furniture, clothing, knickknacks, books, and more. When a family member dies , they leave their belongings behind along with the question, “What should you do with all of this stuff?” It’s no surprise this is a highly sensitive issue, as these items serve as a visible reminder of someone who meant so much to so many.
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Throughout our decades of experience at Affordable Burials and Cremations , our caring team has been asked many times by families in the Toronto area what it’s like to be in deathcare, and whether our work is somehow depressing and morbid. While it is true that the work we do here is not easy, we always respond that above all else, our work is immensely rewarding. It is a tremendous honor to have someone entrust to you the planning of a loved one’s final farewell . We are also constantly inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of the family bond when facing a loss together. It is true tragedy often brings out the best in people.
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