Dignity and respect for the deceased

Most Canadians prefer to die at home, yet almost 70% of deaths occur in a hospital. Most older adults die either in hospital or a long-term care facility. When we are called to receive the deceased into our care, we respond with care and compassion. Funeral directors have been trained to demonstrate dignity and respect for the deceased. For a number of years, we were asked to receive the individual through a back door, hidden… Read more »

Does the media need to publish disturbing photos?

This past weekend we read the editorial piece by Rick MacLean that ran in The Guardian. The title of the piece was “Disturbing photos part of news”. Mr. MacLean went on to recount coverage of the murder of a young woman in 1980’s, and the fact that the story made front page news. His dilemma was whether to publish an image of the late woman, and on what page of the publication. The duty of… Read more »

Language Matters

The past few weeks there has been a great deal of media attention around mental health due to the #MooLetsTalk event and news that a Coroner’s inquest will be conducted following a February, 2010 death in the province. These two events have resulted in numerous press releases, social media posts and news broadcasts. While death should not be something hidden from public discussion or conversed about with hushed tones, we need to be mindful of… Read more »

Funeral directors – Who are we?

How do funeral directors define who they are? We are funeral directors; a handful of less than one hundred funeral service professionals on Prince Edward Island, who provide dignity for the deceased and care and comfort for their families. We are well-trained individuals who invest, not only in continuing education, but ongoing day-to-day learning. The funeral directors of MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel abide by a code of ethics, both personal and professional. We are… Read more »