Honouring Grief and Tradition: Supporting Indigenous Families with Compassion

“I feel that when Indigenous people see an Indigenous person in the funeral home, they can start their grieving process faster,” said Day-Wapass. “It’s like when people see me, they’re comfortable to cry, to grieve. I think they know it’s a safe place.”

When they first purchased Marshall’s funeral home it was decided to run the business under the same name.

Day-Wapass quickly found it was a natural fit.

“I was surprised at first how differently I felt about it,” she said. “I always thought I’d be afraid, or squeamish. But for me, I realized it’s the most respectful thing I can do – looking after a family’s loved one as best I can.”

This means Marshall’s is prepared to accommodate any traditional or cultural protocol, said Day-Wapass.

The business provides sweetgrass, sage, and cedar for families to smudge, and are conscious of many of the different protocols, including special prayers or songs, the timelines the wake needs to occur in, and some of the lesser common protocols, such as removing certain colours, metals, or jewellery, or having the casket facing north.

“This is someone’s loved one,” said Karen Selte, managing funeral director and embalmer at Marshall’s. “It’s their final farewell, and you’re honouring their life. We need to be part of that and make sure we can provide the family with whatever they need for closure.”

Although Marshall’s accommodates all customers of all backgrounds with equal respect, about 90-per-cent of the families they serve are Indigenous.

Selte herself comes to the funeral industry in an organic way.

At 15 years old, her ball team had a tragic accident, killing three of her closest friends. Since then, she’s been drawn to providing support to those in grief.

”I knew in some way I wanted to give back in the same way people had given to me during that time,” said Selte.

“I learned how individual grief is,” she said. “Everyone’s needs are different. So (at Marshall’s) we really feel like it’s important there is continuity, because there is a relationship there with the family built on trust.”

The entrance of Marshall’s Funeral Home located in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan (Submitted photo/Marshall’s Funeral Home).

Unlike larger funeral homes, Marshall’s is able to provide an individual to handle all of the major needs.

Selte said services for one family can often consist of her meeting with the family personally, preparing the body, doing the stationary and arranging the funeral plans, doing the cosmetics, hair, and cremation, and running the service itself.

“I want them to know we are on this journey with them from start to finish, and that support continues after the service is completed,” said Selte.

While already serving a large geographic region, Day-Wapass plans on extending their market further, and hopes to serve First Nations communities in the Meadow Lake and North Battleford regions.

“We have no restrictions on the communities we serve. We are able to go to wherever are services are needed to ensure that the families’ needs, personally or culturally, are met.” said Day-Wapass. “I feel like we could provide comparable or better service to what they’re already receiving. I think we really understand what families need.”

And although many might indeed be squeamish in their line of work, both Day-Wapass and Selte say the rewards of the job far outweigh the challenges.

“I love knowing I made a difference,” said Selte. “That might just be a hug or smile and tears. Knowing I was able to help someone in one of their worst moments, and providing them with some comfort makes it all worth it.”

For more information about Marshall’s Funeral Home, visit their website: marshallsfuneralhome.ca

This article was published by the content creation division of Eagle Feather News.

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Honouring Grief and Tradition: Supporting Indigenous Families with Compassion

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