The visitation rooms of a funeral home, are traditionally where the evening viewing and visitations took place. These rooms were typically smaller rooms, which resembled a family's own living room or parlour (hence the term, funeral parlour). Years ago, and still today in some communities, the evening was a time for the family to sit on vigil with the body. Friends would stop in, sign the register, pay their last respects to the deceased, and share their condolences with the family.

          Today evening gatherings are held, with or without the body being present. Many people today, simply cannot leave their work commitments to attend the funeral, so the evening time allows them another option. Evenings are no longer a time of sorrow-filled vigil for the family, they are a time of gathering of friends and family. They are a time to share sorrow, but also to reminisce, share stories, laugh, and support one another. Instead of a small stop-and-go affair, in Thunder Bay we are finding that evening gatherings are becoming longer and larger. People are coming and staying. They come to greet the family, and they see other people that they haven't seen for ages. These gatherings are important social events in our lives, and we are privileged to provide the location to hold them.

          People will often say that "the only time that they see their friends is at weddings and funerals". The truth is, the only time that everyone can get together is at a funeral. A wedding is a by-invitation-only event. A funeral is a time when "nobody is invited, but everyone is welcome".

          Likewise, some families are concerned that 'visitation is too hard on them'. They might say that 'it's simply too emotional a time to be surrounded by too many people'. We suggest that they ask themselves the question, "which is worse, going through this with a large group of people, or going through it alone?". When we, as professionals, have taken the liberty to challenge a family, and make them ask themselves such questions, invariably they thank us for it afterwards. This is not a time when a family should be alone.

          Furthermore, when a family chooses to do things in a more private fashion, they are sending the message "leave us alone" to their friends. Regardless whether or not the body is present, the time of gathering is important to the grieving family's well-being, and the ongoing support that they will receive from their friends.

          Many years ago, evening vigils and wakes were held in the family home. As funeral homes became more common, the facilities provided by the funeral director were intended to provide a temporary substitute for the family's own home. As already stated, this is why the visitation areas of a funeral home resemble a living room setting. The visitation area provides them the home-like setting, and their own home becomes their quiet sanctuary.

          Because contemporary gatherings are changing and are becoming larger, our visitation areas are flexible by design. Moving walls and partitions allow us to accommodate multiple gatherings, and adjust for larger ones. We are able to meet the needs of the traditional family with a traditional viewing, or the direct cremation family with a contemporary gathering. For those families wishing a small intimate service, we can provide additional chairs, setup in a formal fashion in a visitation room. For those who wish a totally informal setting for their service, we can accommodate them too.

          All of our visitation areas are warm and inviting. Couches, chairs, pictures on the walls, floor and table lamps all add to the atmosphere. Each room also has reading material, including various magazines, grief literature, Reader's Digest, and the Holy Bible. Lots of kleenex is readily available, and water coolers / water decanters are never far away. Likewise, a fresh cup of coffee or tea is only a few steps away in one of our lounges. Bowls of mints can be found on most tables, just to help you to feel fresh when you are meeting friends.

          Our visitation rooms are located adjacent to the main chapels. This is part of our flexible design so that they can be used for family rooms and overflow seating areas for chapel services.

The "Waverley Chapel" - At the Waverley location, we have 2 large visitation rooms, which can be used as one, or divided into two with access via separate hallways. Two other smaller rooms can also be utilized, when necessary for smaller gatherings. When required, and we have numerous families needing space, we can also make use of our upstairs lounge area for visitation.

The "Westfort Chapel" - At the Westfort site, there are 2 visitation rooms, which can also be divided into two smaller rooms. When necessary, the arrangement office and the coffee lounge are designed to double as visitation areas, when necessity dictates.

          Thank you for joining us on the on-line tour of our funeral home facilities.

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