History & Staff

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 currently serves as President 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.

Emma is our much loved, 5 year old Miniature Schnauzer. She has been with us from the first day we opened our doors, and she is most happy to greet our families and provide comfort and stress relief. Emma loves her work!

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.

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.

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.

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

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
End of Life Doula Support Services
www.suephillips.ca
905-630-4193
[email protected]

"Death is not the opposite of life but an innate part of life."
—Haruki Murakami, "Norwegian Wood"

Carol Broer spent many years as a committed teacher and educational leader, guiding students and teachers to reach their potential. She uses her strong background in studies of English, Music and Drama to sensitively and warmly create an individualized service for every client. Knowing that she wanted an opportunity to help others with her skills, she pursued training as a Certified Funeral Celebrant, and confidently offers options for funeral services which suit the needs of the family.

She says, “I love to hear about the lives of people, and I find joy in being able to support families in telling the stories of their loved ones. I enjoy creating the service with each individual in mind, reflecting their interests, their beliefs and the stories that will live on in the memories of those who loved them. I am honoured to be able to help others during a most difficult time.”

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.

John Boyd was born in Belleville, On. In 1989, he moved to Toronto and earned diplomas in Business and Radio Broadcasting. In 2011, he relocated to Hamilton, Ontario. While working and living in Hamilton and Burlington Ontario, he ended a 21 year career as a licensed Red Seal Chef and Pastry Chef, retiring in 2013.
John attended his alma mater Humber College for the Funeral Services Program and graduated in 2017. He has worked as a Licensed Funeral Director Class 1 since then, offering free community events to educate people on death and dying. In 2023 John accepted a Funeral Director position at Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Center Inc. in Dundas, Ontario.
A past member of organizations The Legion, The Eastern Ontario Concert Orchestra, The Belleville Concert Brass, Belleville DBIA and a current member of the Friends of Dundas Museum. He has organized events for The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Quinte West DBIA, volunteered at the Hastings Historical Society Canada Day events, Komputers for Kids, Day Camps and was contracted as the Kitchen Manager at the Salvation Army Boothe Center in Hamilton. John is a frequent speaker at various community events, sharing his knowledge on a variety of topics.