Recalling the loss of a loved one can be hard—holidays can make it even more difficult.
That’s why Leson’s Funeral Home in Canora offers a special service each year for all current and past bereaved families to gather and reflect.
“Typically, holidays—like Christmas—can be the hardest time of the year for folks who have suffered a loss but it doesn’t have to be a current loss, it could be from years ago,” says Shannon Leson, who runs the funeral home with his wife, Shawna.
The December event, co-sponsored by St. Andrew’s United Church in Canora, is often attended by community and area families because it helps them grieve.
“It’s a non-denominational service, and Shawna puts together a beautiful video tribute in honour of the people who have passed throughout the year,” says Shannon.
Those attending are also presented with a special Christmas tree ornament in memory of their loved one.
“The idea for the service is to bring a little bit of hope and light to families because, sometimes, the holidays are not a happy time for them,” says Shawna.
But grieving the loss of a loved one is not restricted to the holidays. So, the funeral home offers an extensive online library of articles dealing with loss.
“We also have a physical library, videos and books, here at the funeral home,” says Shawna, who is currently studying for a Master’s degree in grief counselling. “We also offer individual and group bereavement sessions.”
While most prefer the intimacy of the one-on-one approach, Shawna says one of the greatest concerns is for people to get mired on their grief journey. Group sessions offer a way to share grief openly and feel a sense of community.
“Years ago, people didn’t openly discuss grief. Over the years though, we found people would often just visit the funeral home after a service and chat. We knew from that experience, people needed more, so we developed our aftercare program,” says Shawna. “In generations past, speaking about your feelings and losses wasn’t as socially accepted as it is today.”
With today’s society more focused on overall mental health, that viewpoint has greatly shifted.
“Whether it’s counselling or bereavement sessions, people are encouraged not to keep their emotions inside,” says Shawna. “Grief is more talked about now, and we are honoured to serve families in this way because sometimes it’s weeks, months or even years later, we hear how something that was said either during the service and/or the sessions has helped them.”
Leson’s Care Team wants people to know they are not alone in their grief and encourage them to reach out and share their grief journey with others.
For more information on how Leson’s Funeral Home can help you, visit lesonsfuneralhome.ca or call 306-563-5671.
