Who We Are
We lend a helping hand with care.
We are here to offer the support you need with compassion and caring. We will help you manage the practical side of the deceased’s arrangements, and we are here for you emotionally as well. We promise a clear, helpful and caring process from start to finish.
You can trust the funeral directors at Circle of Life to help you with simple cremation arrangements, celebrations of life, traditional funerals, graveside services and catered receptions, no matter your personal preference, budget, culture, or religion.
We pride ourselves on serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Circle of Life is proudly family owned and operated. When a death occurs, there is no reason to call a higher cost traditional funeral home, we offer all the same services at a lower cost.
Our knowledgeable staff is passionate about providing families guidance and support during the arrangement process and long after the services have been provided. Together, we can honour your loved one’s life while beginning your grief journey.

Karin Schuett
President / Licensed Funeral Director Class 1
Karin attended Humber College Funeral Services Program and graduated with Honours in 2006. Karin has worked as a Licensed Funeral Director Class 1 since then, after homemaking and raising a family of two – a son and a daughter. Karin entered the profession to express her caring, compassion, and creativity. She has worked in several locations throughout the GTA in a wide variety of roles serving bereaved families. The many families she has served have experienced her warmth, sensitivity and practicality, as well as her concern for providing satisfying, efficient, and appropriate care. This is reiterated with the fact that Circle of Life caters to one family at a time, offering privacy and exclusive care. Now, as Owner / Manager of her own funeral services establishment, Karin offers families the benefits of her experience to provide them with a respectful, dignified and cost-effective service in the changing landscape of funeral services today.
Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc. is a member of The Better Business Bureau (BBB). Karin is a member of The Dundas Rotary Club. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Lobster and Rib Fest, and Canada Day Pancake Breakfast. Karin is a frequent speaker at various community events, sharing her knowledge about the death care industry.

Miss Emma
Comfort Dog
Our most loved Emma has left this earthly realm after being our most cherished companion and loyal friend for 10 short years.
Emma is best loved and known for her role as comfort dog at her place of work, Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre in Dundas. She started her role in September 2015, on the first day of opening, and served all of ‘her’ families faithfully until her very last day, Tuesday February 11, 2025.
Her self-assumed role included greeting families as they entered the premises and guiding them down the main corridor, through the selection room and into the arrangement office. Occasionally, if she felt that things were proceeding too slowly, she would stop, turn and growl gently to encourage persistence. In her later years, when the family had assembled to her satisfaction, she would then return to her chair next to her “Auntie” Issi’s desk for a bit of a lie-down.
But in her earlier years, Emma would stay with the family throughout the arrangement. She knew instinctively the family members who were grieving the most. Knowing their need for comfort and support, she remain patiently at their side inviting endless pets. And, knowing that humour can sometimes be a comfort in times of deep distress, she would also seize any opportunity to examine wayward purses for a nice pair of leather gloves to taste, or unattended wallets from which to remove currently unused credit or debit cards.
Throughout her years at Circle of Life, Emma also acquired quite a reputation as the “face” of our establishment. She appeared – along with her “mom” Karin, in many of our advertisements and, on several occasions our TV spots on CHCH – most recently on January 14th this year. In fact, it came to be a common occurrence that Emma would be the one recognized from these publicity appearances when we were walking her in our home neighbourhood.
At Circle of Life, we will miss Emma deeply. But, in her last year with us, she passed the torch to her “cousin” Ezra whom we hope will carry on her tradition of dedication, caring and love.
Emma’s kind and gentle demeanor, her numerous, daily asks for walks and treats (thank you “Auntie” Issi) will not be forgotten; and at home, her company in the evenings on the sofa watching television, taking up too much room in the bed for “dad” to fit in, her joy at rubbing her face in the snow while growling softly to herself, and her stalworth mission to ensure that her back yard would never host the dreaded squirrel while SHE was on patrol will be images that live with us forever.
Thank you, Emma, for being our teacher and guide, for your love, understanding, kind nature and your service to all of us - until we see you again!

Mr. Ezra
Meet Ezra, born October 29, 2023.
He is the youngest team member, and was taught by Emma how to greet and care for our families.
Under Emma's guidance, he turned into one sweet young man, eager to say hello to everyone!

Frank Schmidt
Business Owner
Frank is a retiree from the Ontario Public Service, having worked for over 20 years with several Ministries, including the Ministries of Community and Social Services, Health and Long-Term Care, and Attorney General. Prior to that, Frank worked for more than 20 years with the Public Service of Canada and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. As a public servant, Frank worked on many initiatives that modernized and responded to emerging trends in services for people, from employment for special needs persons, to disability support programs, tele-medicine, end-of-life care and pandemic preparedness planning. As Owner of a funeral services establishment, Frank brings this diversified administrative background in community service, and a commitment to helping people transition during difficult life circumstances to his role.

Isolde “Issi” Schuett
Funeral Director Assistant
Issi has retired from Canada Post after 34 years of loyal service. She joined Circle of Life full time as of January 18, 2021. She is Karin's right hand woman. Arts and crafts continue to be passions for Issi. She has explored many different media, recently adding stained glass to her repertoire. Her themes include nature and the spirit, and her one-of-a-kind creations come from the heart, every piece imbued with her kind and caring essence. Circle of Life is proud to feature Issi’s work as part of our Artists’ Circle.

Darlene Russell
Preplanning Director/Celebrant
As a new addition to Circle of Life and the bereavement sector in general, Darlene brings the experience of a 25+ year career in health care, specializing in end of life and dementia care. In early 2024, Darlene left her position as a palliative nurse and enrolled at Humber College to begin a rewarding new career as a Funeral Pre-Planner. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her 3 grandchildren, eating good food, and riding rollercoasters.
Darlene is available to assist you in planning for your future needs.

Christina Walton
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist/Grief Counsellor
Christina Walton, Mts, RMFT, FD.
Christina Walton is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and is a registered practitioner with The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Christina specializes in bereavement and loss, for children and adults. She holds a B.A. from McMaster University, and a Master’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Christina has been a licensed Funeral Director for 33 years and has as a private counselling practice. She is the President of the newly founded “Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada”.
www.christinawalton.ca
www.childrensgrieffoundation.org

Sue Phillips
End of Life Doula Support Services/Celebrant
Sue Phillips
Critical Illness/End of Life Doula, Celebrant
Sue Phillips, Critical Illness/ End of Life Doula Support
What is an end of life doula? - An end of life doula is here to educate, empower and advocate for people during illness or end of life transitions. We are here to guide you and your family on what you can expect each step of the way, and to create a safe, judgement free space where you can voice your thoughts, concerns, and questions. We are non-medical supports.
In 2019, Sue was guided to embark on the path of end of life support. Her training includes the Douglas College End of Life Doula Course, as well as Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice visiting volunteer training.
Sue has now been providing direct end of life service and support to clients, in the Hamilton-Wentworth and surroundings areas, since December 2020. She has a strong focus on enhancing public awareness on the work of end of life doulas and providing free Community Information Sessions, including death and grief cafes and storytelling events allowing discussions without fear around death and dying and grief & bereavement.
Sue’s ongoing education currently includes Thanatology Studies at Centennial College.
Primary supports:
• Individual client support and advocacy for those dealing with life-limiting illness and/or approaching death
• Funeral Celebrant - I work closely with individuals and families to ensure the chosen ceremony truly reflects the wishes and values of the person being honoured.
Sue Phillips, she/her/hers
Critical Illness/End of Life Doula, Celebrant
Sue Phillips, Critical Illness/ End of Life Doula Support
www.suephillips.ca
905-630-4193
[email protected]
“The end of life deserves as much beauty, care and respect as the beginning” … Anonymous

Dave Pothier
Woodworker
Dave has been a life long woodworker and has built various projects over the years, from remodeling the kitchen and building all of the cabinetry, building a cedar strip kayak, many furniture items, to making full size, double size, and very small keepsake boxes and urns. Inlays have become his specialty at the present time.
He retired after having been employed by the Hamilton Fire Department for 31 years. He and his wife Lynn have been married for 41 years. They have two adult children, Melissa and Chris, and 11 year old Brady. Other interests include playing snooker, ballroom dancing, gardening, beer making and travel.

Chris Turchi
Jeweller
We pride ourselves on making flawless jewelry. At Alchemy Coin Rings, we hold ourselves to the highest standards. Every ring is hand-made by Chris himself and goes through a rigorous process to ensure every ring is of the best quality possible.
Chris is an artist and a magician; when it comes to making gorgeous jewelry, everyone will appreciate and love.
These rings are made from high-quality materials such as tungsten steel, ceramic, Damascus steel or silver. Each Opal crystal is placed one by one, and a high-quality glow powder is mixed with our stunning background colours to give each ring a vibrant glow and beautiful finish.
Your loved ones' ashes will be mixed with the glow powder, so when you see your ring glow, you know it's your loved one.
With over 30 colours of Opal and a wide range of glow colours and background colours, you are sure to find a ring that is perfect for you.
Learn the legacy.
Circle Of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc. was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide families through some of their most difficult days, and maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission.
Explore Our Location
See where we are located.
-
Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc.
100 King Street East, Dundas, ON L9H 1C4
(905) 628-8558
FD#: Class 1 Funeral Establishment, License Number 1186
Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc.
-
100 King Street East
- Dundas, ON L9H 1C4
- Telephone: (905) 628-8558
- Fax: (905) 627-0440
- FD#: Class 1 Funeral Establishment, License Number 1186
- Website: https://www.circleoflifecbc.com
-
100 King Street East