Fallen Canadian Soldier Sebastian Halmagean Laid to Rest in Burlington Ceremony
Canadian Armed Forces Gunner Sebastian Halmagean was laid to rest on Monday during a somber graveside service in the snow-covered Field of Honour at Woodland Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario. The 24-year-old Hamilton native died while deployed on Operation Reassurance near Riga, Latvia, on January 29, 2026, after serving three years in the military and just a few weeks into his first overseas tour.
Military Honors and Family Tributes
Hundreds of family members, friends, and Armed Forces personnel gathered on the frigid day to pay their respects. Military Padre Cam Goldberg addressed the crowd, acknowledging the profound grief felt by those mourning Halmagean's sudden passing. "Many are still wrestling that Seb is actually gone and grief does this to us," Goldberg said. "It's a mysterious force messing with our hearts and our minds and we are each processing that differently."
The ceremony featured full military honors:
- Halmagean's flag-draped casket arrived on a platform towed by an army vehicle
- Eight pallbearers carried the casket to its final resting place
- A three-volley salute was fired by fellow soldiers
- A bugler played The Last Post while a bagpiper performed Amazing Grace
- The folded Canadian flag was presented to Halmagean's family
Investigation Ongoing into Circumstances
The cause of Halmagean's death has not been publicly disclosed, with an ongoing investigation being conducted by Canadian Forces military police in collaboration with Latvian state police authorities. Halmagean was a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery based at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick, and was serving with the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia at the time of his death.
In a statement provided to media, Halmagean's father, Alin Halmagean, expressed gratitude for the support received while requesting privacy during the investigation. "With the burial of my son now completed, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude," he said. "Moving forward, we are in contact with the CAF and MP. We kindly ask everyone to respect our privacy."
Symbolic Burial Location and Community Support
Halmagean was buried beside Corporal Nathan Cirillo, another Canadian soldier who died at age 24 in 2014 during the attack on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Padre Goldberg noted the symbolic significance of the burial, explaining that earth was placed on the casket in the shape of a cross, representing "the return of the human body to earth with the hope of resurrection."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attended the visitation service held on Sunday, demonstrating the broad community and political support for the fallen soldier's family. The military community compiled memories and stories about Halmagean into a book presented to his family during the service, ensuring his legacy would be preserved for future reflection.
The graveside service concluded with family members receiving private time at the burial site after other attendees dispersed, allowing for personal reflection and mourning. A livestream of the service remains available through Arbor Memorial's website for those unable to attend in person.
