What' the best way to fire someone?

Last month, February 21st to exact, I was let go from my position within a large telecommunications company in Canada. It was part of a restructuring effort which saw roughly 100 individuals walked out the door throughout the course of the day. Luckily, we had planned ahead, and everyone knew which bar to meet at for drinks. I must admit, the atmosphere was quite jovial, people were laughing, exchanging contact information, drinking, and of course discussing the method in which we were let go. To summarize the events:
- A senior member (not necessarily you manager) walked by your desk and asked if you had a minute. Of course we had time, with all that was going on absolutely no work was being completed. I wonder what would have happened if I had said "No, busy.. too much work," while pounding aimlessly at my keyboard?
- You were then taken to one of the many rooms designated as 'termination rooms.' In these rooms, the windows were covered with paper, and there were at least two chairs present.
- The senior member then gave you the spiel, "We're sorry about this, but as part of the restructuring... blah blah blah.... here's your package.... blah... if you need help...."
- After the spiel, a representative from DBM would come in the room and talk to you. DBM is a firm that specifically handles terminated employees, providing counseling and services to help the individuals look for new employment. It was quite strange actually. The lady that I spoke with asked me if I had ever lost someone. She then proceeded to pull out a flow chart which highlighted a grieving process followed by denial. I honestly believe she expected me to break down and start crying. Her shirt even had extra padding on the shoulders for such an occasion.
- After that strange encounter, we were then walked do our desks to retrieve some of our belongings, and then walked out the door. Since we weren't given time to pack, we were asked to make an appointment to come back and retrieve anything we had missed. No time for 'goodbyes' or ' see you laters'.

Personally, I was a bit offended by the DBM representative and by the quickness in which we were 'shooed' out the door. Also, some of my comrades were bothered by the fact that managers with whom they have never even worked with, asked them to leave. This of course posed the question, "What's the best way to fire people?"

While the beers were flowing, several of my comrades recounted experiences with other companies. Companies that had utilized the group methodology whereby the entire company was split into groups. Some groups were asked to stay, and others were told to go home. I'm not sure if I'm keen on that method either. Of course, there was the Radio Shack fiasco. In this case, the HR department sent emails to the terminated employees. That has got to be one of the coldest things I have ever heard a company do. So really, what is the best way? Taking into account the people, and to some extent the company itself. I guess for me, if we were treated more like employees rather than psychotic criminals, then it wouldn't have bothered me. I'll think about this a bit more, over drinks of course.