The Reach of a Small Town

The Reach of a Small town

It amazes me how connected we all are throughout this beautiful country of ours. Families take root in one community and then branch off to other towns, cities, provinces, or countries, often finding their roots back in their original home. One would think that, as a small town funeral director, we would spend almost all of our days walking and driving the many streets around the town we know so well. However, there is a lot more driving to the job than most people think.

It is not unusual for us to drive to Windsor, London or Sarnia Hospitals, Hospices and Nursing Homes when someone passes away. Nor is it unusual for us to travel longer distances when people pass in Hamilton, Toronto, the Niagara area or up North.  There are also a number of American dual citizens who wish to come back home to Ontario when they pass.

There are numerous cemeteries throughout the province, and it is not uncommon for us to take a 4 or 5 hour drive to have someone buried at a cemetery in what used to be their hometown before they moved here.

We often will take people to the University of Western Ontario in London to participate in their bequeathal (body donation) program. However, this all depends on the family’s preference. I have driven as far as Queen’s University in Kingston to transfer someone’s loved one to a bequeathal program.

So, while we start our days in our respective towns, we never truly know where our day will end up!