It was during the time of her mother's passing that Colleen Flynn discovered the invaluable assistance a funeral director can provide.
“I recognized then all the aspects associated with a death in the family,” she remembers. “While there was the emotional side to consider, I also came to value how crucial it was to have someone manage those details for us during that very difficult time.”
For more than seven years, Flynn looked to provide the same help, compassion and resourcefulness as funeral director at Omega Funeral Home.
Even after Omega's closure, she continued to receive inquiries for advice and funerary services from individuals in and around Portage la Prairie.
Although she’d never planned on starting her own business, that trust from within the community compelled her to open Flynn Memorial Services a few months ago.
Her professional experience speaks for itself, but it’s the compassion she brings to her encounters with each family she meets that sets her apart.
“Compassion means understanding and being able to comfort a family going through a traumatic experience,” she says. “I treat everyone as if they were family. It hasn't been long since I’ve lost loved ones, so I truly understand what that feeling is like.”
She adds: “We are committed to providing the highest quality of service, allowing families to concentrate on what truly matters without the burden of managing the details of arrangements.”
To that end, Flynn has put together a comprehensive package that includes cremation and additional services required such as; registration with Manitoba Vital Statistics, funeral directors certificates, a provincial death certificate, notification to Canada Revenue Agency (regarding the Canada Death Benefit, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security), assistance writing and placing an obituary on their website, as well as other services. (A full list can be found on Flynn Memorial Services’s website.)
Starting at $3,500 +GST, it’s a suite of services that removes considerable planning and financial burdens from grieving families.
“We decided to do this package because we know funeral services are expensive,” Flynn explains.
“We want to let people know that they don’t have to spend a fortune to honour their loved ones with a respectful farewell.”
Recognizing the emotional strain that frequently comes with organizing memorial services, Flynn suggests that it is beneficial to make arrangements ahead of time.
“Although it might be difficult to think about, it’s a meaningful gift you can offer to your family,” she notes, adding that the most challenging aspect of her job is gathering all the necessary information from the family and talking about their choices, which can be overwhelming.
“Knowing whether you would prefer cremation or a traditional burial, along with your chosen final resting place, can greatly alleviate the burden on your loved ones,” she says.
Flynn also expresses her gratitude to the community for their support.
“Their unwavering support means a lot to me, and Flynn Memorial Services is here to assist you at your time of need,” she says.
Flynn is pleased to offer meetings with families either in the comfort of their own homes or at her office located in the Pallister Building, 2-602 Sask Ave E, Portage la Prairie.
Flynn Memorial services can be reached at (204) 871-5700, or by sending an email to flynnmemorialservices@gmail.com. For additional information, please visit their website at www.flynnmemorial.com.