Westlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery – Guest Blog Post
As a Friend of WE Seniors, Westlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery is sharing helpful guest articles with our WE Seniors community. These articles cover topics related to planning ahead, funeral and cemetery services, grief, and other information that may be helpful to older adults and their families.
New articles will be added regularly, with the latest articles featured first. We invite you to check back for new information and resources from the Westlawn team.
About the Writer
Shannon Hatcher is a pre-planning specialist at Westlawn Memorial Gardens with extensive experience supporting families through important life decisions, Shannon specializes in guiding individuals through the practical and emotional aspects of end-of-life planning. Her approach is compassionate, clear, and community focused, ensuring every person feels informed, empowered, and supported as they prepare for the future.
Featured Articles from Westlawn
Sharing Life, Love and Final Planning
A guest blog post by Westlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
The George and Glenda Story
Names have been changed to protect customer privacy.
Life at Westlawn is about stories—and George and Glenda Chmela’s story carries a powerful message about family, responsibility and peace of mind.
George’s family narrowly escaped persecution during the Second World War, fleeing to Belgium before immigrating to Canada. Growing up with an acute awareness of life’s uncertainty, he learned to plan, save and work hard to protect those he loved. While serving as an orderly in the 1970s, he met Glenda, a nurse at Royal Alex Hospital.
Glenda also understood hardship and responsibility. Raised in a Nova Scotia fishing village, she began working at a fish plant at age nine to help support her family. Although their histories differed, their experiences led them to the same values: duty, resilience and devotion to family.
When George and Glenda learned they could pre-plan their final arrangements, the decision felt natural. By discussing their wishes and making their own choices, they could spare their adult children uncertainty, emotional strain and unexpected expense.
“Pre-arranging for one hundred dollars a month is a small price to pay for peace of mind at a time that could be very confusing,” George said. “Things are done your way, and costs are protected from escalating.”
Working closely with their pre-planning director at Westlawn Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, they completed their funeral and cemetery arrangements within their chosen budget and time frame—ensuring there would be no surprises for their loved ones.
Convinced of the value of planning ahead, George and Glenda took their commitment a step further by beginning the pre-planning process for their children and grandchildren—a generous, practical gift of love. “You must prepare for the best and the worst,” they said. “We always talked to our children about death. Death is not a secret. It will happen.”
For George and Glenda, planning for the inevitable means taking control today so their family will not have to make difficult decisions in a crisis. It removes uncertainty, protects against rising costs and ensures their wishes are understood.
“Taking care of your family is easy if you always prepare them for the reality of life.”
Previous Articles
A Mother’s Wisdom
A guest blog post by Westlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
Mother’s Day is a time to pause and reflect on the love, strength, and quiet wisdom our mothers share with us throughout our lives. This year, I find myself especially grateful for my mother not only for the years we continue to share, but for the peace she has given our family through her thoughtful foresight.
When my father passed away, our family learned how overwhelming loss can be. In the midst of grief, decisions felt impossible. Yet even then, there was comfort in knowing that plans had been made. That experience revealed the true gift of preparation.
After my father’s passing, my mother carefully ensured her own wishes were clearly expressed. She approached those conversations with calm and care, thinking always of those she loves. At the time, those plans felt like they belonged to a distant future. Now, we understand her wisdom
fully.
My mother is very much alive, present, and deeply loved. Knowing her wishes brings us comfort and peace. When the time eventually comes, we won’t be burdened by uncertainty, we will be free to honour her life, her legacy, and the love she has always given so generously.
Her foresight is one of the greatest gifts a mother can give: the gift of peace.
This Mother’s Day, I am profoundly grateful for her love, her strength, and her wisdom.
Happy Mother’s Day, Ethel!
Learn More About Westlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery
Thank you to our Friends of WE Seniors Edmonton partner – Westlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery!
Interested in learning more about Westlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, their services, and available resources? Visit our Friends of WE Seniors partner page for more information or visit their website here!