One of the most visible (and expensive) assets a funeral home has, beyond the exterior appearance of the buildings, are their vehicles. As a result, many funeral homes took great pride in their fleet of cars, and updated them on an ongoing basis. Funeral vehicles were the primary focus of the coachbuilders of yesteryear, and the great marques of Packard, Pierce, Chrysler, Cadillac, and even Rolls-Royce adorned their creations. The highly polished, black luxury cars, with their wide whitewalls, were a symbol of the prestige of funeral service, and an expected feature at a quality establishment.

          Today, while traditional families still require funeral vehicles, cremation families do not necessarily utilize the hearses and limousines of yesterday. Consumers no longer place the same emphasis on, nor do they expect, the same quality of funeral cars that generations before wanted. As a result, funeral homes are keeping their vehicles longer, and are owning smaller fleets. In communities where reliable livery services exist, many firms do not even own their own cars - they rent them as required. Vans and suburbans have replaced hearses as first-call / removal ambulances, and Cadillac limousines and lead cars are being replaced by lesser models and minivans. Ultimately these changes have reduced the operating costs for the funeral home, and assisted them in keeping prices affordable.

          In Thunder Bay, funeral homes must be relatively self-sufficient. We do not have the luxury of being able to call on reliable livery services and other support services (removal companies, and trade embalmers). At Everest of Thunder Bay, we still operate our own fleet of vehicles, including hearses, limousines, sedans, and service vehicles, but we keep them for much longer than would have been the practice in the past. We maintain our fleet to the best of our ability, and are constantly doing cosmetic work (polishing, paint touchup, etc...). We now replace vehicles based on cost-effectiveness, not simply because we want the newest and latest model.

          Over the past 18 months, in an effort to change the look of our company, and to appeal to the contemporary family, while at the same time upholding the traditions of the past, we have been changing the colour of our vehicles. Instead of the traditional black funeral cars, our fleet vehicles now boast a bright metallic burgundy on the lower half, with traditional black on the upper level, separated by a gold pinstripe. The result is nothing less than stunning when viewed in the sunlight.

          When we began the colour change, we proceeded cautiously. We began with one hearse that required some paint work anyway. We then offered families a choice - traditional black or the new 2-tone. With an overwhelming positive response, we next painted a lead car which also was scheduled for some touchups anyway. Gradually, more vehicles were changed. While we started-out offering families a choice, the response was very much in favour of the "new cars", or the family really didn't care. Based on our experience over the past 18 months, we are convinced that we made the right move, and by the end of the year, most if not all of our cars will be the new, very distinctive, 2-tone burgundy and black. We think you will be as pleased as we are.

          Thunder Bay is a city of car buffs. As a community we like our cars, and despite our relatively short summers, there are more very active car clubs including antiques, street rods, sports cars, etc... than in cities much larger. At Everest's, we must admit that we like cars too. Therefore, years ago we thought about how we could enjoy our interest in cars while at the same time adding to the service we provide to our client families. As previously mentioned, the professional cars of yesteryear were hand-built with pride and expertise by talented craftsmen. If one can look past the original purpose of an ornate, hand-constructed hearse, they can see the beauty of the creation. These cars were not computer-generated and machine built. They were built through the eyes of the coachbuilder.

          Several years ago, we acquired a "matched" pair of antique Cadillacs - a 1956 limousine, and a 1955 funeral coach. Both were in very good, low mileage condition, but required some minor body work, new paint, and re-chroming. The limousine also received a new interior. After a couple of years, these cars were presented to our community at local car shows. Today, we continue to bring them to car shows, parades, "cruise nights" and other special events. More importantly, in the summer months, we make them available to our clients for use as an alternative to our more modern vehicles. For many families who appreciate the cars of yesterday, or for the funeral of an auto enthusiast, this is a most appreciated option, and a fitting tribute to their loved one.

- The side load funeral coach is no longer built. At most establishments it has been replaced by the less classy, and less respectful end-load hearse. Side-loaders allow for pallbearers to handle the casket without stepping onto the street. This is especially important in the winter with snowbanks and messy road surfaces.

- For the safety of our clients during funeral precessions, our hearses are hard-wired for amber rotating beacons and "wig-wag" headlights.

3-Cadillac Limousines (8-passengers):

- Our limousines are basic 8-passenger cars (no bars or televisions), which are used for transporting the family and/or pallbearers to and from the service and cemetery as applicable. Given the downsizing in automobiles over the years, and the large number of trucks in Thunder Bay, our client families really enjoy the opportunity to have up to 8 family members per car, ride together. It also means that they don't need to worry about who is "up to the task" of driving on the day of the service. While these are limousines, given the nominal rental cost for the family, they are an important consideration, not an extravagant luxury.

- In an effort to increase our revenues, and keep our prices fair, these limousines are also rented (with a uniformed chauffeur) on weekends and evenings for other special occasions, through Golden Rule Limousine Service (a division of Everest of Thunder Bay).

- Because our limousines are also available for rent, and we did not wish them to be directly associated with the funeral home, we have not painted them the 2-tone colours. Two of our vehicles are black, which looks very dignified with the 2-tone burgundy and black coach and lead car. One of the limousines is white, which is also an option for families. When a third limo is required on a service, the white does not look out of place. Likewise, some families do prefer a white car, rather than the black (in fact this vehicle came from an all-white funeral fleet out west).

- These are used as clergy / lead cars for funeral processions, and graveside services. They are also used as extra family or pallbearer cars when a 5-passenger will suffice rather than a limousine. Likewise, a "spare" clean sedan is normally on standby in our garage or driveway, in case another vehicle experiences problems (one of ours, or someone else's).

- In order to make the best use of our fleet, in an effort to reduce costs and prices, they are also utilized as personal vehicles by the owners of the company.

- For the safety of our clients during funeral processions, like the hearses, our sedans are wired for amber rotating beacons and "wig-wag" headlights.

- Like our limousines, some of our sedans are also available for rent with a uniformed chauffeur, through our Golden Rule Limousines Service.

2-Service Vehicles (First Call Cars / Removal Ambulances):

- As part of our efforts to reduce expenses, and to be more practical and discreet when making removals and transfers, we do not normally use a hearse for this purpose.

- Both of our service cars, are outfitted with rollers for caskets/containers, stretcher restraints (to hold the stretchers when moving), a fold-up stretcher, and assorted other equipment (including gloves, sheets, body pouches). Each is capable of properly carrying 2 stretchers.

- Because we are proud of our service cars, each has our name, "Everest" tastefully placed on the side and rear of the vehicle.

- Chevrolet 4 Wheel-Drive Suburban - Given our Canadian Shield surroundings, and our northern climate, this is a very practical and safe vehicle for both in-town and on the highway. It is burgundy in colour with a gold pinstripe, and privacy tinting on the windows. It has a very large fuel capacity which is an asset that only one of our staff could fully appreciate when they could be called out on the highway day or night.

- Chevrolet 2 Wheel Drive Suburban - This is the newest addition to our fleet which recently replaced our Ford Econoline Van.  In keeping with our efforts to reduce our expenses, we searched for a premium used vehicle.  This one spent most of it's life in Texas, and while it is not our fleet colours, it is in like-new condition and we have found it to be a welcome addition. It is tan in colour with a burgundy pinstripe and lettering and privacy-tinted windows.  It too is a very dignified and practical vehicle.

- This car is the workhorse of the fleet. It is used for paper-chasing, running errands, delivering flowers, taking equipment to churches, etc... It is an economical alternative to using a larger service vehicle for the purpose, and it also allows us to keep our service cars cleaner and available for the purposes of transporting remains. It is painted our 2-tone colours, and has privacy-tinted windows. It can also accommodate a stretcher, therefore it is occasionally used for removals when our other vehicles are unavailable.

- Black with a light blue interior, and plenty of chrome.

- Originally from Montana, we purchased this vehicle several years ago. While it was in very good condition for it's age, we completed a "cosmetic" restoration on it, and today it is available during the summer months, for families to use as an alternative to a more modern family car - at no additional cost.

- This car also spends a certain amount of time during the summer months at "Cruise Nights" and local car shows. It is also rented, with uniformed chauffeur for weddings throughout the summer.

1955 Cadillac Side-Load Funeral Coach Built By Meteor:

- Black with a rich burgundy interior, and plenty of chrome.

- Originally from Pennsylvania, like the matching 1956 limousine, we brought this car to Thunder Bay several years ago. It too was in very good condition, with only 12,000 true miles on the odometer. After a re-painting and some new chrome, we began making it available for families to use in the summer months as an alternative to a later model hearse - at no additional cost. For the bereaved family of a "car buff" it is a most fitting tribute to their loved one.

- Having this vehicle available 5-6 months of the year, also affords us the opportunity to have work done on our other coaches, without fear of being short a funeral coach.

- This vehicle is also displayed at local car shows, and daytime events, to show people the beauty of the older professional cars and the pride and craftsmanship that went into their creation. However, we would never display a casket with the vehicle.

- Utility Trailer - We have a small box trailer that we use for transporting cemetery equipment, rough boxes, etc...

- Mustang Skid-Steer Loader - We endeavour to keep our parking and driveway areas as clean of snow and ice as possible, at all times. Therefore, we have our own snow removal equipment, so that we do not need to always rely on outside contractors.

- Dodge 4x4 Pickup Truck With Snowplow - This vehicle is used for transporting cemetery equipment, maintenance-related errands, snow-plowing, etc... It is also utilized for some personal use by the owners and staff.