We do our absolute best to honour and respect each family’s religion and customs during their time at the George Darte Funeral Home & Cremation Centre.
Here are funeral customs by religion and how we will assist your family:
Roman Catholic
We’re here to support families with care and expertise in planning Roman Catholic funerals, honouring every tradition with respect and ease. Our services include:
- Coordinating with your parish for the Funeral Mass, Memorial Mass, or ceremony at a non-church location.
- Arranging Vigil/Wake services.
- Providing all Catholic symbols requested by the family, including but not limited to a Catholic crucifix, kneeler, vigil candles, sand, and holy water.
- Providing guidance on scripture selections, music, and readings.
- Organizing transportation of the body or cremated body to and from the church and/or cemetery.
- Assisting with eulogies or personal tributes, based on church guidelines.
- Arranging committal ceremonies at cemeteries, mausoleums, or columbaria.
- Ensuring all rituals and customs are upheld with reverence, including holy water blessings, placement of crucifix and bible, and flag protocol.
Let us help you honour your loved one’s faith with a meaningful and seamless Roman Catholic funeral.
A Roman Catholic funeral typically includes three parts:
- Vigil (Wake): A prayer service with family and friends, often held at a funeral home or church. Includes prayers, readings, music, and personal tributes.
- Funeral or Memorial Mass: Held at a church, with the body or cremated body present. Includes scripture readings, prayers, and Holy Communion. Personal tributes, special music performances, or other non-traditional aspects may be included depending on the parish.
- Burial or Committal: A graveside service led by a priest at the cemetery, mausoleum, and columbarium.
Ukrainian Orthodox
Our team honours Ukrainian Orthodox funeral traditions with care and cultural understanding. We support families by:
- Coordinating and hosting the Panakhida (Vigil) at the funeral home or church, when requested.
- Working with Orthodox clergy to organize the funeral service.
- Providing all necessary elements for a traditional Orthodox burial.
- Assisting with cemetery arrangements in accordance with Orthodox customs.
- Helping families plan memorial feasts and observe the traditional days of remembrance.
We are here to ensure that every step of the farewell honours faith, tradition, and your loved one’s memory.
Ukrainian Orthodox funerals are rich in tradition and deeply spiritual, reflecting a strong belief in eternal life and the soul’s journey after death. Services are structured, sacred, and centred around prayer, remembrance, and community.
- Burial: Cremation is strictly forbidden in Orthodox tradition. The body must be buried in a casket with a cross-bearing monument or marker. In cases where there is a cremation and the family desires prayers over the deceased, the body must be present, and only the memorial prayer must be prayed (Panakhida). This must take place prior to the cremation. The Church does not perform any kind of internment of cremated remains.
- Funeral Timing and Location: Funerals may take place any day except Holy Friday, Holy Saturday, Pascha (Easter), and Christmas. Services are ideally held in the church but may also occur in a funeral home chapel, depending on the priest’s discretion and the deceased’s involvement in the parish.
- Prayer Services and Rites:
- Panakhida (memorial prayer) is offered the evening before the funeral.
- The main funeral rite mirrors Christ’s burial and resurrection and includes psalms, hymns, and readings.
- Orthodox funerals do not include a Funeral Mass or Divine Liturgy.
- Open Casket & Final Kiss: The casket remains open during the service. The body is blessed with holy water, the priest places an absolution prayer in the deceased’s hand, and mourners are invited to offer a final kiss.
- Symbols & Rituals:
- Psalms, especially 90, 118, and 50, are chanted throughout the service.
- Traditional offerings include braided bread (Kolachi), fruit, and sweetened wheat (Kolivo), symbolizing resurrection and the sweetness of eternal life.
Ukrainian Catholic
We are honoured to support Ukrainian Catholic families with deep respect for their faith and traditions. We can assist with:
- Arranging the Vigil Service (Panachyda) at our facility or another chosen location.
- Coordinating with the church to organize the funeral service.
- Ensuring the proper use of symbolic elements when requested.
- Providing a dignified setting for the Final Kiss or Final Farewell.
- Assisting with burial or cremation in line with Ukrainian Catholic rites.
- Supporting families in organizing a memorial luncheon (Tryzna).
We are here to help create a respectful and meaningful farewell that honours both faith and family.
Ukrainian Catholic funerals are deeply spiritual and rich in tradition, reflecting faith in the resurrection and eternal life. Services are reverent, symbolic, and guided by ritual prayers and sacred music.
- Vigil Service (Panachyda): Often held the evening before the funeral, usually at the funeral home. It includes prayers for the deceased and time for visitation and condolences.
- Funeral Service: Held at the church, the service features scripture readings, hymns, and prayers focused on death, resurrection, and eternal life. Services are solemn but hopeful, rooted in scripture and tradition.
- Final Farewell: A meaningful moment where mourners say their final goodbyes, often referred to as the Final Kiss or Final Farewell.
- Burial & Committal: The final part of the service takes place at the cemetery, following the Order of Burial. Cremation is permitted, though burial is preferred; rites can be adapted if cremation is chosen.
- Memorial Meal (Tryzna): After the burial, family and friends may gather for a meal where memories are shared, prayers are offered, and support is given.
- The prayer “Memory Eternal” (Vichnaya Pamyat) is sung in hope that the deceased will be remembered in God’s Kingdom.
- The Burial: The body is buried facing east, anticipating Christ’s return. The casket is lowered fully into the grave, and a cross is placed at the head. The priest may later bless the grave marker during a special service.
- Memorial Services: Additional Panakhida memorial prayers are traditionally held on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days after death, as well as on the anniversary, marking key moments in the soul’s spiritual journey.
- Other Considerations:
- Pastoral discretion is required in cases of suicide or when cremation has occurred.
- Prayers for the dying (Office of the Parting of the Soul) are encouraged when death is near.
- The funeral service focuses on the hope of new life, emphasizing that death is not an end but a passage into the fullness of Christ’s eternal promise.
United Church
We provide compassionate, knowledgeable support in planning United Church funerals that reflect your loved one’s faith and values. Our services include:
- Coordinating with ministers and congregations for the funeral service.
- Assisting with scripture readings, hymns, and order of service planning.
- Providing a plain cross if requested, or any other religious symbols.
- Offering guidance on viewing options, including arranging respectful, optional
casket viewings when requested. - Setting up a simple, reverent environment that aligns with traditions.
- Managing transportation of your loved one between locations (funeral home, church, cemetery).
- Helping families honour personal preferences while respecting customs.
We’re here to ensure every detail is handled with dignity and care, allowing you to focus on remembering and celebrating your loved one.
The funeral service acknowledges the pain of loss, but the promise of eternity with God after death for those who follow Jesus Christ. There is rarely an open casket, but when there is, viewing the body is optional. A minister presides over the service.
Guests may sit wherever they choose and join in any part of the service. If they are uncomfortable participating, they should simply remain seated.
Jewish
We are experienced in supporting families with Jewish funeral traditions, and we work closely with local clergy and communities to ensure every detail is handled with care and respect. Our services include:
- Coordinating with rabbis or elders and the Chevra Kadisha for proper ritual care, including Tahara, the ritual cleansing of the body.
- Providing a plain wood casket in accordance with Jewish tradition.
- Ensuring modest and respectful preparation of the body, including dressing in a burial shroud (tachrichim).
- Arranging the funeral to take place promptly, usually within 24 hours, at a synagogue, funeral home, or graveside.
- Supplying yarmulkes, ribbons, and prayer materials for guests as needed.
- Coordinating graveside services, including the tradition of guests helping to place earth on the casket.
- Advising families on Shiva customs, including memorial candles and setup for home visits.
- Respecting customs such as no flowers, no open casket, and no religious symbols from other faiths.
- Assisting with Yahrzeit planning and the unveiling ceremony on the first anniversary.
Our team ensures that all services align with Jewish law and tradition while offering compassionate support through every step of the process.
Jewish funerals are guided by traditions that emphasize simplicity, dignity, and respect for the deceased. The focus is on humility, community, and honoring the cycle of life and mourning. Customs may vary slightly between denominations (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), but core practices remain widely observed.
- Timing of the Funeral: Burial typically takes place as soon as possible, often within 24 hours of the passing.
- Preparation of the Body: There is typically no public viewing before the funeral service, and the body is washed (Tahara), dressed in a simple shroud, and placed in a plain wooden casket. Cremation and open caskets are not customary.
- Funeral Service: Services are led by a rabbi or elder from the synagogue and may take place at a synagogue, funeral home, or directly at the graveside. Men typically wear a yarmulke and dress formally; women should wear modest, conservative clothing, but are not expected to wear a head covering. The service begins with the cutting of a black ribbon, symbolizing the individual breaking away from loved ones. Cameras or tape recorders are discouraged. A minyan (at least 10 Jewish adults) is required to recite prayers. During a visitation period, no crosses or crucifixes are placed in the room.
- Burial: At the cemetery, family members may help place earth on the casket. Flowers are not appropriate for most Jewish funerals rather charitable donations are preferred. Food, preferably kosher, is welcome. After burial, mourners often observe Shiva, a period of mourning.
- Shiva and Mourning: After the burial, the immediate family enters a seven-day mourning period known as Shiva. Traditions during Shiva may include:
- Covering mirrors.
- Lighting a memorial candle.
- Wearing a black ribbon.
- Limiting grooming as a sign of mourning.
- Holding daily prayer gatherings (minyan) in the home.
- Ongoing Remembrance: The bereaved pray sometimes twice daily and may return to work after Shiva, though mourning can continue for up to a year. A special service is held to unveil the tombstone. Each year, loved ones mark the anniversary of death, known as Yahrzeit, by lighting a memorial candle and usually reciting the special Mourner’s Kaddish.
Greek Orthodox
We work closely with families and clergy to ensure every aspect of a Greek Orthodox funeral is carried out with respect and precision. Our services include:
- Coordinating with the priest and parish to schedule the Wake, Funeral, and Memorial Services.
- Arranging the Trisagion Service at the Wake and graveside, including clergy communication and service setup.
- Providing traditional items such as a large Orthodox Crucifix, vigil candle, kneeler, and guest candles.
- Setting up the visitation suite according to Orthodox customs, including appropriate icon placement.
- Organizing transportation of your loved one to and from the church, cemetery, or funeral home.
- Ensuring the casket is positioned traditionally (facing east, feet toward the altar).
- Assisting with liturgical and ceremonial details, such as readings, floral tributes, and guest participation.
- Planning and facilitating the Makaria (mercy meal) in accordance with Orthodox tradition.
We are here to honour your family’s faith and heritage with compassionate, knowledgeable care at every step.
A traditional Greek Orthodox funeral includes several meaningful customs:
- Wake & Trisagion: Held the evening before, with prayers led by a priest. Guests may offer tributes.
- Funeral Service: Held at a church or funeral home, featuring hymns, prayers, and readings. An open casket is typical, with traditions like kissing an icon and greeting the family with “Memory Eternal.”
- Burial: A graveside Trisagion is performed, with guests placing flowers on the casket. Cremation is generally not permitted.
- Memorial Services: These may be held on the Sunday following the funeral and at later milestones.
- Funeral Luncheon (Makaria): A shared meal, often featuring fish, may follow the burial.
Presbyterian
Our team is experienced in supporting Presbyterian families through thoughtful and faith-based funeral arrangements. We can assist with:
- Organizing viewings and tributes prior to the religious service.
- Assisting with eulogies or personal tributes, either before the service or as part of the ceremony when appropriate.
- Working closely with Presbyterian clergy to plan the funeral worship.
- Coordinating the graveside committal in line with Presbyterian traditions.
- Ensuring services reflect both Presbyterian values and the family’s wishes.
We are here to offer gentle guidance and respectful care every step of the way.
Presbyterian funerals are centered on worship, scripture, and the promise of eternal life. The service is respectful and reverent, focusing on God’s grace and the resurrection. While personal reflections may be part of the mourning process, they are usually offered outside the formal service.
- Viewing and Eulogies: A viewing may take place before the funeral service. Eulogies and any non-religious tributes are typically shared during the viewing, rather than during the worship service itself; however, eulogyies) may be given as part of the funeral ceremony.
- Funeral Service: The service includes prayers, hymns, and readings from the Bible. Holy Communion is not usually celebrated at funerals, but it may be included depending on the liturgical season and the guidance of the pastor. Music plays a meaningful role and may include traditional hymns or selected sacred pieces.
- Graveside Service: After the service, close family and friends join the pastor at the cemetery. A short committal service follows, including scripture, prayers, and a final blessing as the body is returned to the earth.
Lutheran
We are honoured to support Lutheran families with care and understanding. We help by:
- Arranging viewings and tributes ahead of the worship service.
- Collaborating with Lutheran clergy to plan services in line with Lutheran liturgical tradition.
- Providing a white pall for use over caskets or urns is a common practice.
- Coordinating graveside services with respect and reverence.
- Supporting family decisions regarding eulogies, in consultation with clergy and liturgical guidelines.
We are committed to providing compassionate, faith-aligned support throughout the funeral process.
Lutheran funerals are grounded in the message of salvation through God’s grace. Services are reverent and worship-focused, emphasizing scripture, prayer, and the hope of resurrection. While traditions may vary slightly by congregation, the following elements are commonly observed
- Viewing and Non-Religious Tributes: Families may hold a viewing before the funeral service. Eulogies and any non-religious elements are typically offered at the viewing, as the funeral service itself is considered a worship event. Whether a casket or urn is present, it is usually covered with a white pall, symbolizing baptism and the belief in equality before God.
- Funeral Worship Service: Held in a Lutheran church, the service may include readings from both the Old and New Testaments, the Gospels, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and hymns. While not a standard part of Lutheran funerals, some families may still choose to include a eulogy. Music plays a central role, often drawn from traditional Lutheran hymnody.
- Burial or Committal Service: After the funeral, loved ones gather for a brief graveside service with scripture and prayers led by the pastor. A final blessing is given as the body or remains are committed to the earth.
Anglican
Our team works closely with Anglican clergy and families to honour Anglican funeral traditions with care and respect. We assist by:
- Coordinating visitations and viewings in the church or funeral home.
- Working with the parish priest to plan the service, including Holy Communion if requested.
- Providing and placing a pall over the casket or urn.
- Arranging a meaningful committal or interment service, including symbolic elements like soil tossing.
- Supporting family involvement in selecting readings, hymns, and arranging eulogies or tributes during the service or post-service gatherings.
- Assisting with cremation or burial in a manner consistent with Anglican values.
We are here to support your family through a meaningful, faith-centred farewell.
Anglican funerals are a blend of reverence, reflection, and hope. Rooted in scripture and tradition, these services acknowledge grief while celebrating the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Families are encouraged to take an active role in shaping a meaningful farewell. Formal black clothing is no longer strictly expected.
- Visitation/Viewing: Usually held at the funeral home or church before the ceremony. It provides time for family and friends to offer condolences, share memories, and pay respects. A large pall is often placed on the casket as a symbol of baptism and the equality of all people in death.
- Funeral Service: Typically held in a church, chapel, or funeral home within a few days of death. The ceremony includes scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and often a eulogy or reflection. Holy Communion may be offered, depending on the family’s wishes and liturgical context.
- Committal Service: This final act of farewell takes place at the cemetery or crematorium. Prayers are said, and symbolic gestures like tossing soil or partially lowering the casket may be included. If cremation is chosen, the cremated body is usually present at a memorial or committal service.
- Participation and Tributes: Families are encouraged to help select readings, hymns, and music. Eulogies or tributes are welcomed and may be offered during the service or at a gathering afterward.
Mennonite
We are honoured to support families from Mennonite communities with funeral services that emphasize modesty and community support. Our services include, but are not limited to:
- Coordinating visitations and services that reflect the family’s and the deceased’s spiritual and cultural values.
- Providing space and services for faspa meals, when requested, at our funeral home.
- Ensuring simplicity, dignity, and cost-effective options throughout the planning process.
We are here to guide you with compassion and respect, every step of the way.
Mennonite funeral traditions focus on simplicity, community, and respecting each family’s wishes. Customs can vary, especially between more modern and conservative groups, but most emphasize modesty and togetherness.
- Visitation: Usually held 1-2 days before the funeral. It’s a time for friends and neighbours to offer their support. This may take place at a funeral home or another location, depending on the family.
- Funeral Service: Typically held about three days after the death. Services often include hymns, prayers, and a reflection of the deceased, and may be held at a church, meetinghouse, or funeral home. Some families may use technology, such as livestreaming, while others may prefer a more traditional approach.
- Disposition: Burial is common, and some LGS families may choose to dig the grave and lower the casket themselves. Cremation is also accepted, often followed by a memorial service.
- Post-Funeral Meal (Faspa): After the service, families often gather for a light meal called faspa, which is a time for comfort and community.
Islam
We are dedicated to supporting Islamic funeral traditions with compassion, respect, and efficiency. Our services include:
- Prompt burial arrangements in accordance with Islamic law.
- Coordination with Imams and Muslim community leaders.
- Facilities for ritual washing (Ghusl) and shrouding (Kafan).
- Ensuring the body faces Mecca at all times.
- Providing gender-sensitive care and same-gender preparation staff.
- Organizing respectful processions and graveside prayers.
- Supporting families with post-burial gatherings and cultural mourning customs, tailored to their community’s traditions.
- Advising on modesty, etiquette, and traditional mourning practices.
Our goal is to provide peace of mind while honouring every religious and cultural detail with care.
In Islam, death is seen as a natural transition to the afterlife. Funeral customs emphasize dignity, purity, and promptness, with a strong focus on spiritual preparation and communal prayer.
- Timing: Burial takes place as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
- Body Preparation: The body is ritually washed (Ghusl), wrapped in white cloth (Kafan), and positioned to face Mecca. The eyes and mouth are closed; open caskets are uncommon.
- Funeral Service: The service may be held at a mosque or cemetery, led by an Imam. Guests pray silently, and the Janazah (funeral prayer) is recited. There is no discussion at the gravesite. Photography and recordings are discouraged, and modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected.
- Burial: The body is carried by casket bearers in a procession. At the cemetery, guests may help place the body in the grave. All guests pray for the soul of the deceased.
- After the Burial: Family and friends gather at the family home. A meal is shared, and guests may stay for the day or longer. Socializing is encouraged to ease grief.
- Mourning Period: Typically lasts 3 days; widows may mourn for 4 months and 10 days. Mourning customs may vary by culture or family tradition.
Buddhist
We respectfully support Buddhist families in planning meaningful funerals that align with their beliefs and traditions. Our services include:
- Collaborating with Buddhist monks, temples, or spiritual leaders to arrange appropriate rituals and chanting ceremonies.
- Preparing a peaceful, respectful setting for meditation, prayer, and incense offerings, usually in our funeral home.
- Working with the community to provide altars, candles, incense, and symbolic items such as flowers or images of the Buddha.
- Accommodating multi-day services or visitation periods, depending on family or temple tradition.
- Respectfully preparing the body and allowing time for spiritual transition and final blessings.
- Arranging for chanting ceremonies, such as the Pañcasila (Five Precepts) or Sutra readings.
- Facilitating cremation or burial, based on family and cultural preferences.
- Supporting memorial services on the 7th, 49th, or 100th day after death, in accordance with tradition.
Our team is here to help the family honour Buddhist customs with mindfulness, compassion, and care at every stage.
Buddhist funerals are peaceful, reflective ceremonies that honour the impermanence of life and the transition to the next stage of existence. The atmosphere is calm and respectful, focusing on spiritual merit and mindfulness.
- Altar & Offerings: An altar is set with a photo of the deceased, an image of the Buddha, and offerings such as candles, incense, flowers, and fruit.
- Funeral Service: Services may be led by monks, who chant sutras and perform rituals. If no monk is present, family or others may lead prayers and ceremonies that transfer merit to the deceased.
- Ritual Practices:
Mourners may:- Wear white or white coverings as a sign of mourning.
- Chant or recite sutras.
- Offer alms or cloth on behalf of the deceased.
- Pour water as a symbol of merit transfer.
- Walk with sticks to symbolize the weight of grief.
- Disposition: Cremation is traditional but burial is also accepted. Monks may perform final rites before the casket is sealed. Family may help lift the casket in a final act of service.
- Funeral Procession: Mourners may walk behind the hearse in silence, sending positive thoughts and reflecting on the impermanence of life.
Sikh
We are honoured to support Sikh families with funeral services that align with their beliefs and customs. Our team ensures a respectful and spiritually appropriate experience by offering:
- Coordinating with local Gurdwaras and Sikh community leaders for religious guidance and scheduling.
- Providing a quiet and dignified environment that reflects Sikh values of modesty, acceptance, and spiritual detachment.
- Assisting with cremation logistics, including allowing the eldest son or close relative to initiate the cremation.
- Offering guidance on ceremonial elements, including the singing of hymns, reading of prayers, and appropriate tributes.
- Supporting families in planning the submersion of the cremated body in a river or other preferred body of water.
- Supporting the planning of post-cremation prayer gatherings or longer memorial services.
- Ensuring all practices are handled with cultural sensitivity and spiritual care.
We are here to walk with you through every step, honouring your loved one’s journey with reverence and peace.
In Sikhism, death is seen as a natural part of life. While the body returns to the earth, the soul continues its journey back to God. Funerals are simple, spiritual, and focused on prayer rather than outward displays of grief.
- Disposition: Cremation is the preferred method of laying the body to rest. If cremation isn’t possible, other respectful options like burial may be used. The ashes are often scattered in a river or body of water. Sikhs generally do not create monuments or gravesites, as the body is considered only a temporary vessel.
- Funeral Service: Before cremation, the body is usually brought to a place of worship, where hymns are sung and prayers are offered. The atmosphere is quiet and reflective.
- At the Cremation Site: More hymns and tributes are shared. A final prayer is recited. A close relative, often the eldest son, begins the cremation, either by lighting the fire or starting the cremation machine.
- Grief and Emotions: Public displays of grief, such as loud crying or wailing, are discouraged. Even close family members are encouraged to remain calm and spiritually focused during the funeral.
- Other Notes:
- Sikh funerals emphasize spiritual reflection over ritual.
- Modesty, dignity, and detachment from worldly attachments guide the service.
- A longer prayer service may take place days later in honour of the deceased.
Secular or Societal
We help families create meaningful, personalized secular funerals that reflect the unique life and values of their loved one. Our services include:
- Working with you to design a custom ceremony that may include eulogies, personal stories, music, readings, or multimedia tributes.
- Providing or coordinating with a professional celebrant, or supporting a friend or family member who wishes to lead the ceremony.
- Offering flexible venues, including the funeral home, outdoor settings, or alternative spaces, to match the tone and preferences of the family.
- Supplying audio-visual equipment for slideshows, music, and video presentations.
- Assisting with the selection of decor, keepsakes, and tribute items that reflect the individual’s personality and passions; past examples include fishing gear, gardening tools, Harley Davidsons, Vespas, and rowing shells – anything goes!
- Managing logistics, scheduling, and guest coordination, including printed materials like programs or memory cards.
- Supporting options for burial, cremation, or scattering, based on family choice.
- Creating space for casual receptions or gatherings that foster connection and remembrance.
We handle every detail with care and creativity so you can focus on honouring your loved one in a way that feels authentic and true.
Secular or societal funerals focus on celebrating a person’s life without specific religious elements. These services are often highly personalized and may include music, readings, eulogies, photo displays, or video tributes.
A friend, family member, or professional celebrant typically leads the ceremony. The atmosphere may be formal or casual, depending on the family’s wishes.
Guests are usually encouraged to share memories, offer condolences, and participate in the service in any way that feels meaningful to them. There are no set rituals or dress codes. Respectful, thoughtful presence is what matters most.
*Source: National Funeral Directors Association & FuneralWise
