By Spencer Sterritt

MacKenzie Funeral Chapel celebrates 80th anniversary

Oct 26, 2015 | 6:18 AM

To celebrate their 80th anniversary the staff at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium opened their doors to let those not grieving at a funeral take a look inside on Sunday.

It was also to put their new renovations on display.

Instead of being relatively dark and somber, the chapel is now brightly lit and is much more open.

“We’re trying to not have an institutional look or the older style of funeral home look,” owner Brian Stobbs said. “We’re trying to have the look of sitting in someone’s house, and I think we’ve achieved that.”

The only things which weren’t renovated were the pews, alter, and lectern.

Bowling

Prince Albert bowlers knock down competition at Provincials

17h ago

attempted murder

'We will not hesitate to act': police lay charges in connection to drive-by shooting

17h ago

OLCN 7TH GENERATION PODCAST

Onion Lake podcast aims to keep Cree language alive

17h ago

“It gives a quieter, nicer, softer surrounding for people to come and share saying goodbye to their loved ones. If the surrounding is nicer than usually (the funeral) is not as harsh and is softened a bit for people.”

Stobbs sees the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel as an institution, and hopes the renovations will show the community that the funeral home will always be there for people.

Their vehicle fleet was renovated as well, adding a new funeral coach and lead vehicle. Unlike traditional funeral vehicles which are black, their fleet is all white.

“The ones in the past when you placed a casket in the back it was more hidden or secluded and you could hardly see it. This one has windows all around and is beautiful to look at,” said Stobbs.

MacKenzie Funeral Chapel & Crematorium is the longest running funeral service in Prince Albert and area. 

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit