Brenan's Funeral Homes & Crematorium

COVID-19 - SPECIAL PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES Updated to ORANGE status: November 23, 2020 ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOU - WORKING HARD TO KEEP YOU SAFE...Continue reading

Our profession and our community have suffered a loss. We pay tribute to our colleague Hugh Fitzpatrick, Funeral Director: https://paradiserow.brenansfh.com/229/A-Tribute.html

It's a busy time of year, in a year which has brought us many new challenges and many reasons to focus on all that we can't have right now. But, at 11 am tomorrow, let us all pause and contemplate all that we do have because of those who sacrificed everything they had to give. #RemembranceDay2020 #LestWeForget

Planning Alternative Services Would you like to learn more about funeral planning for those of Pagan or alternative faiths? Join us at Brenan’s - Paradise Row on Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm to learn more about funeral options available for those seeking non-traditional rites including natural burial options. Brenan’s welcome people of all faiths into our care. ... Co-hosted by the United Pagan Collective the program will be lead by funeral director Natasha Thibodeau and Preplanning Counsellor Holly Reid. There is no charge to attend however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is limited, public health protocols will be in place, and pre-registration is required. Call Holly Reid at 632-1139 to reserve your seat.

In challenging times like these, it may be more important than ever to pause and reflect on all we do have to be thankful for, and to be mindful of those who are not as fortunate. May each of you have a happy and safe holiday weekend.

Earlier this summer we told you about a little project we took on to lend a hand to our friends at Bobby's Hospice in lieu of our usual visits to their BBQ. We promised to let you know how it worked out and we're happy to report that a few weeks ago we dropped off a cheque for $1,022.00 from our staff snack days as a donation to this week's Hospice Memorial Walk. We hope you will check it out [ https://www.facebook.com/hospicesj ] and do what you can to help Bobby's keep on doing the indispensable work that so many in our community have benefited from. Pictured: Siobhan Ebukwe (l), Sharlene MacDonald and Robyn MacMackin (r) from the Brenan’s team presenting Hospice CEO Sandy Maxwell with our contribution.

You think that you can control your moods, but a thoughtless comment sends you over the edge. You want to get rebalanced but you can't envision a future without your loved one. Spend time with Mary Francis as she draws on her own grief journey and specialized training to offer you the guidance you need. A three-part program taking place over three Saturdays. October 17, 24 & 31. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend, but seating is limited so registration is r...equired. For complete details and registration information: https://paradiserow.brenansfh.com/180/Special-Events.html Note: COVID-19 protocols will be in effect. Meet Mary Francis: http://thesisterhoodofwidows.com

COVID-19 - SPECIAL PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES Updated: July 21, 2020 ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOU WORKING HARD TO KEEP YOU SAFE As we have throughout the current health crisis, we remain available to serve you. Our team is hard at work striving to serve the community’s needs by providing our services in a manner that is compassionate and meaningful while following closely the guidance of health authorities to protect our customers, our community and our team....Continue reading

It’s summer! The weather is beautiful and when lunch time on Friday rolls around we’re really missing our hot dogs and hamburgers, and the opportunity to see everyone out enjoying the weekly Bobby’s Hospice BBQ. While we can probably get by without the hamburgers, we know that Bobby’s relies heavily on the dollars the BBQ brings in so we started a little project and we’re inviting other businesses in the community to consider what they can do. Each Friday during the month of... June we arranged to bring in some special treats - sampling the wonderful wares of several local businesses - and all of us who have been enjoying them have been making weekly contributions destined for Bobby’s. Our ‘campaign’ will wrap up this week and, once we tally up the donations, the company will match that total and pass the proceeds along to Bobby’s. We are obviously well acquainted with the folks at Bobby’s Hospice and, serving so many families they have helped, we truly appreciate the vital role they play in our community and the extraordinary care that they provide. We also know that they need the community’s support in these challenging times. So if, like us, you are fortunate enough to have your doors open and your staff working, perhaps you can find a project of your own to help Bobby’s until we can all get back to our burgers. Stay safe and enjoy your summer.

Happy 153rd Birthday Canada!

COVID-19 Recovery LARGER FUNERALS NOW POSSIBLE The Government of New Brunswick has announced that effective Friday, June 5 the COVID-19 recovery plan will enter a new phase making it possible to hold funeral services with up to 50 people present where social distancing requirements can be adhered to. This will apply to services or gatherings held in Churches, our Chapel and at cemeteries. In each case the actual number of people who may participate will be dictated by the cap...acity of the space in question. This news will be of great comfort to the grieving families who will benefit from the love and support of a wider circle of family and friends nearby. Something that has not been possible for the past 11 weeks. This change affects the entire province with the exception of Zone 5 (the Campbellton area) where a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases has caused a return to more restrictive standards. Public health authorities can order similar measures in other areas should additional outbreaks occur. Social distancing is a vital part of this new stage. To help ensure that everyone remains safe and that further outbreaks don’t cause a return to tighter restrictions, we will be following strict social distancing guidelines at all services and asking the community to work with us to help implement this successfully. At this time funerals cannot be public events. Each family we serve will be advised of the guest capacity for their service and asked to help determine who should be in attendance and communicate the necessary details to those involved. We are recommending against publicly releasing service times to avoid confusion. For those in attendance we will be providing instruction in advance, or at the service location, relating to safely entering and leaving the venue. Once inside, we will be asking guests to sit only with those in their own household and to maintain a two metre distance from all others at all times. Sadly, hugs and handshakes will remain forbidden for now. For families choosing to have a period of visiting or gather at graveside, there will be similar guidelines in place and numbers and timing will be determined based on the location. Once again, these gatherings cannot be open to the public at large. At all times we will be guided by public health regulations and our commitment to do everything we can to assist and support our customers, while keeping everyone’s safety a priority. We welcome any questions you may have with regard to the coming changes. Please call us at 506-634-7424.

Thursday, May 28 - Today the Government of New Brunswick has announced that: "On Friday, June 5, 2020, New Brunswick zones, except Zone 5, will loosen additional restrictions under the Yellow level." The June 5 changes - originally slated for May 29 - are expected to include the expansion of allowable attendance at funeral services to a maximum of 50 with physical distancing.

COVID-19 Recovery NEXT STEPS - LARGER SERVICES POSSIBLY AFTER JUNE 5 Soon the next stage of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 recovery plan is expected to come into effect making it possible to hold funeral services with up to 50 people present where social distancing requirements can be adhered to. This will apply to services held in Churches, our Chapel and at cemeteries. In each case the actual number of people who may participate will be dictated by the capacity of the space in qu...estion. This may come into effect as soon as Friday, June 5 but that is subject to change based on the discovery of new cases. Public health authorities will make this determination next week. We welcome this news, knowing that it will be of great comfort to the grieving families who will benefit from the love and support of a wider circle of family and friends nearby. Something that has not been possible for the past 10 weeks. Social distancing is a vital part of this new stage. To help ensure that everyone remains safe and that further outbreaks don’t cause a return to tighter restrictions, we will be following strict social distancing guidelines at all services and asking the community to work with us to help implement this successfully. For the time being, funerals will not be public events. Each family we serve will be advised of the guest capacity for their service and asked to help determine who should be in attendance and communicate the necessary details to those involved. We are recommending against publicly releasing service times to avoid confusion. For those in attendance we will be providing instruction in advance, or at the service location, relating to safely entering and leaving the venue. Once inside, we will be asking guests to sit only with those in their own household and to maintain a two metre distance from all others at all times. Sadly, hugs and handshakes will remain forbidden for now. If families choose to have a period of visiting there will be similar guidelines in place and numbers and timing will be determined based on the location. Once again, these gatherings cannot be open to the public at large. At all times we will be guided by public health regulations and our commitment to do everything we can to assist and support our customers, while keeping everyone’s safety a priority. We welcome any questions you may have with regard to the coming changes. Please call us at 506-634-7424.

Not everyone can stay home. Our health care workers, those who ensure we have food on our tables, the people who keep the lights on and the streets safe and, yes, our funeral directors are all hard at work because we need them to be. If you can stay home, please do. We know it’s not easy but while you’re protecting yourself and those you love, you will also be helping to reduce the risk for a lot of people who we are all relying on to stay healthy and stay at work. Thanks for helping us all stay safe.

Things you should know... We are here if you need us. Our buildings are open by appointment only. If you have been travelling internationally or feeling ill, please stay home. For a full summary of our COVID-19 response please visit:... https://brenansfh.com/227/Our-COVID-19-Response.html See more

Grief Programs Postponed: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health situation, we are postponing our grief support programs, originally scheduled for April, until an, as yet, undetermined future date. We will reschedule as soon as circumstances permit.