News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

Compassionate Care Funerals won the Commercial Outdoor Display category in the Winter Lights competition this year, but the transformation of their premises goes far beyond seasonal décor. 

“We always had lights up in the front of the building, and last year we put lights in the back and decorated some of the trees. This year we added lights to the garage doors and the entrances, and added more wreaths and decorated the tree in the front,” said Compassionate Care Manager Ron Malmas. 

(Photo:  A beautiful seasonal light display only touches the surface on what is a complete transformation at Compassionate Care Funeral Home. Manager Ron Malmas describes the roof-to-ceiling changes that have added elegance and comfort to the facility.)

“We’re the funeral home, but we still participate in things like Winter Lights and other events in the community,” he explained. “We’re the quiet guys behind the scenes who enjoy getting involved and helping out.” 

Compassionate Care has undergone a complete restoration and renovation. From floor to ceiling, end to end and inside to outside, there is a complete new look, new function and new capacity. 

“From May to August we tore down all the walls and rebuilt the inside of the building. I think that people of the Cariboo Chilcotin deserve to have something nice---now they have something awesome,” Ron said. 

There is a full kitchen for receptions and funeral teas and Ron said that they can cater to meet clients’ needs and to make them feel welcome and comfortable. He also explained that all the money for the renovation was spent locally. 

“We have new internal walls and a new, elegant look with the moldings, fireplaces, furnishings, doors and windows,” he said, “and a comfortable living room area, a newly updated chapel and a beautiful reception area.”

There is a new heating system, an air conditioning system and a new sound system. The outside has been updated by painting the brick work at the main entrance, as well as the outside of the building. 

The whole look is peaceful, light, elegant and comfortable, highlighted by friendly, helpful staff members who add genuine warmth, understanding and humanity to clients’ experiences at Compassionate Care. 

There is a new stained glass window in the chapel depicting a dove of peace that reflects light and colour throughout the room. A new, updated sound system has been installed in the chapel, as well as Power Point capability for presentations during services. 

“This is a real gift for us,” Ron stated. “People have a nicer-feeling place to visit: it picks up their spirits, even for an hour. It makes us feel good to have people know that there is beauty in the world.” 

He said that touring and visiting funeral homes in places throughout the province has shown him that the newly renovated Compassionate Care facility surpasses brand new ones in other cities. 

“At times the project felt nearly overwhelming, especially given the fact that the facility remained open throughout the entire renovation. The building really came to life---it was like a Christmas present being unwrapped,” he continued. “We saved eight years to do this, and things came together so well---everything is better than expected.” 

Besides all local labour and materials, Ron said that he relied on local advice as well. “I got so much local advice, ideas and inspiration from Chuck from OK Tire,” he explained. “There wasn’t one question he couldn’t find an answer for, and he even contributed some ingenious welding for the selection room and fixed the snow blower.” 

He said that Chuck’s help and support is a good example of the generosity of the whole community. “Now we have something we’re very proud of,” he said. 

The newly-renovated facility provides a comfortable, convenient venue for community groups to meet, including the Daybreak Rotary Club. 

Compassionate Care covers an area from Bella Coola throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin, and from 63 Mile to McLeese Lake. “We have vans and drivers on call 24 hours a day who make us a priority,” he continued.  “We are the true face of compassionate care in our community. 

“Through personal experience I’ve learned that there is more to life than this moment we’re in right now,” he explained. “This moment can change from sorrow to acceptance to joy. 

“Sometimes the hardest door to walk through is the door to a funeral home. We work hard to meet our clients’ wishes and their needs and to make their experience here as positive and meaningful as possible,” he said. “We give from our hearts all year round.”

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