Our chapels in both locations, provide a formal setting for funeral services. While they can accommodate a fairly large group of people, they lend themselves better to a smaller, more intimate services than many larger churches. Both locations have the warmth of the traditional oak pews, providing the same sense of comfort and sanctuary as a church. Separate "family room" areas provide a quiet place for the family to assemble and meet with friends prior to the service beginning.

          The chancel area at the front of chapel, is where the casket or urn and flowers, pictures, mementos, etc... are placed. For families that are having an open-casket prior to the service, the chancel areas have a curtain which can be closed, allowing the family an opportunity to say their final goodbyes in private. The casket would also be closed behind the same curtain, thus making it easier on the emotions of the family.

          Also located in the chancel area of each chapel, is a hand-carved statue of the risen Christ. These statues are nearly identical, and were commissioned by Alan Gardiner, and carved in a small shop in Italy. Father Umberto Rizzi, of St. Anthony's Parish in Thunder Bay was instrumental in arranging for these works, and their safe transport to Thunder Bay. While more a Roman Catholic symbol, we have found that regardless of the religious denomination, the majority of our client families find great comfort in the presence of these statues. For those who are not of the Christian faith, or whose practices do not include statues and icons, a curtain is in place to cover the statue so that it is not visible.

          For our Catholic and Orthodox families, whose practices include evening prayer vigils, the chapel is also the place where the visitation and prayers are held. Especially with the various ethnic groups in Thunder Bay, these evening services are very well attended. Many times we will have people lined-up to pay their respects. With the design of both of our facilities including a centre aisle and side hallways, it allows for a very easy flow of people throughout an evening.

          Each chapel is fully air-conditioned, and also has an electric organ and full music / public address system. We can play tapes or CD's, and encourage families to bring in their own choice of music. Several different hymn books, from various denominations are available in the pews. Service books and booklets are distributed on an as-required basis depending on the clergy involved. Our rheostat lighting is typically kept somewhat subdued to allow for a softer feeling prior to the service, but is increased at service time so that all attending can read their hymn books, service books, orders of service, etc...

          Another service we provide, is the audio-taping of ALL services (prayers, memorials, funerals) held in our chapels. While duplicates can be made, generally there is only one copy of the tape, and it is presented to the family with the register book and cards. Over the years we have been overwhelmed by the positive response from our families about this service.

          The "Waverley Chapel" - The existing chapel in our Waverley location was built in 1940. At the time is was the last of the funeral chapels to be built, and (according to George Everest) was the largest chapel in Thunder Bay (both dimensions and capacity) until we completed our Westfort location. At 5 people per pew, it has a comfortable seating capacity of 140 in the pews (however, people can squeeze 6 into a pew), and we will often place chairs in the centre aisle, increasing the capacity by another 10-12. When that is full, we will utilize the family / visitation areas, adding another 80 seats. We can open windows and partitions between the chapel and the foyer/side halls, allowing for approximately another 50-60 people. When one includes the upstairs reception lounge, we can seat another 50 people. At total, we will often have well over 325 people in the building. They cannot all see the service, but they can all hear it, and be part of it.

          Given the design of the building, we normally exit the building by the main doors, recessing down the centre aisle. Lighting in the chapel has been updated over the years, and includes incandescent wall fixtures, and hanging ceiling pendant lights. The ceiling is nearly 10 feet high, allowing for an open feeling, while at the same time eliminating problems of echo.

          The "Westfort Chapel" - The chapel in our Westfort facility was built in 1996. At 6 people per pew, it has a comfortable capacity of 172 people in the pews. Chairs can also be placed in the centre aisle, and the side walls can be opened to allow for much larger services. People can be seated in the family / visitation rooms, the front foyers and the lounge areas, and they can all feel that they are part of the service. All together, including the chapel, we can seat approximately 350 people for services in our building, and have often accommodated over 500 total! Walls, windows and partitions all open up to provide as close to an open-concept building as possible. This is virtually the most flexible building-by-design that we have ever seen!

          With the design of the building, we can either exit by the main doors by recessing out the centre aisle of the chapel, or we can leave by the side doors at the front of the chapel. Either way, friends can exit under the protection of the large canopy which extends across the front of the building. When we are having a procession, the hearse can be loaded without the worries of inclement weather.

          Lighting in the chapel area includes indirect fluorescent valance lighting, and incandescent hanging pendant lights. The vaulted ceiling is nearly 14 feet high in the centre, which is high enough to allow the heat from a large group of people to rise, but not too high to pose acoustic problems.

           Thank you for joining us on the tour of our facilities.

- John-Bryan Gardiner, Vice-President, Managing Partner.