Tompkins Funeral Home

11/24/2025

11/20/2025

Throwback Thursday
Last week we talked about our addition in 1972; today let’s chat about our 2002 addition.

Increasing demand for our services and facilities, as well as changes to how funeral services were being provided meant we needed to add capacity to our building once again. A trend that was being witnessed at the time was having both visitations or viewings and funeral services all in one location… this offered convenience for all attending.

With this addition, I sought out the expertise of a local interior designer. The goal was to provide a contemporary setting with a soft, warm inviting colour palate.

The new addition included a chapel which could accommodate 150 people with an overflow area for an additional 70 people, a main foyer/entrance area which included a greeting area and an admin station, the renovation of our visitation areas, an additional office and a new prep room. This project increased the square footage of our building by approximately 2000 sq. ft. A garage was also built and our parking lot was expanded.

The goal was to provide a spacious facility, one which provided comfort for both the families we serve and their guests. Flooring details and furnishings further enhanced the feeling of being at-ease in our funeral home. The days of red curtain backdrops and dimly lit rooms were no longer.

Our outdoor electronic sign had been added a couple years beforehand. The completion of this 2002 project resulted in our funeral home being a place which met the many needs of the vast majority of families under our care.

An interesting sidenote to this addition is the project took less a year to complete and through this time we continued to provide funeral services to local families. This was possible through some creative scheduling and cooperation with the building trades who were involved with the project.

Dave Tompkins
Managing Funeral Director and Owner

11/17/2025

Preneed is a Common Choice

In funeral services, one of the key trends we are witnessing, in the way individuals and families make their arrangements… is preplanning. It wasn’t that long ago that most families only made arrangements at time of need, or, as a death had occurred.

There have been a number of changes in society that have had an impact on the choices people make with respect to their funerals, the most notable of these being the use of cremation as a form of disposition.

Funeral homes have also been ‘getting the word out’ about the importance of making arrangements in advance. The goal is to avoid having to make the many choices that are needed at an emotional and difficult time.

Individuals and families have responded, having the conversations that are needed, making choices that reflect their wishes and finding the peace of mind that comes with having these decisions in place.

If you have been pondering what options are available these days or just have some questions, please contact us. We would be happy to provide you the information you need.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

11/17/2025

View Helena Faye Bishop's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/15/2025

Step-by-step guidance on how to settle an estate in British Columbia. Free legal information for the public.

11/13/2025

Throwback Thursday

This week and next week we’d like to share how our facilities have transformed over the years. Today, let’s talk about our 1972 Addition.

Back then, my father Frank Tompkins, made the decision to undertake a major addition to our funeral home by adding more space to our building for visitations and funerals. The original building was no longer comfortably accommodating attendees at funeral services and some changes were warranted.

The addition included two large visitation rooms and an expanded office area. A selection room was also added converting the space that was previously occupied by two smaller viewing areas.

The exterior of building saw improvements as well; it received new siding resulting in a more modern appearance. These changes, both inside and out, would help Tompkins Funeral Home meet the needs of local families of that time for decades to come.

Dave Tompkins
Managing Funeral Director and Owner

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day Observance

To those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, today we honour your courage and selflessness. To your families: your spouses, parents and children… we are thankful for all that has been given.

The trials of war continue to take lives and many perish. We are hopeful that, at some point in the not to distant future, all conflicts around the world will be resolved and lasting peace will be achieved at a global level.

Today we pay tribute to you. We will not forget.

11/10/2025

View Colleen Ann Lynch's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/05/2025

View Alda Elizabeth Leigh Norris's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/05/2025

The Different Types of Urns

The choice of an urn is an important one. Often the urn is displayed as part of a funeral or memorial service. Having an aesthetically pleasing urn is desired.

• Interment above Ground: When selecting an urn for an above ground columbarium niche location, ensure that the urn is the right size so that it easily fits inside the niche, and remember that many niches permit up to two urns to be placed within them. Urns for this purpose are made of a variety of materials including wood and different types of metals.
• In Ground Interment: When choosing an urn for burial in an urn garden plot or family burial site the material the urn is made from is more important. It is recommended to not use materials which will deteriorate over time, if that is the families wish. Selecting an urn made of a certain type of metal is recommended. Urn vaults can also be used for the protection of the urn and cremated remains, if desired.
• Keepsake urns often are available that match the ‘theme’ of the main urn. They are smaller and hold a very small amount of cremated remains. Sometimes they go home with a family member and sometimes they are used when the cremated remains are divided and go to more than one cemetery location.
• Scattering: Some urns are designed to easily scatter the cremated remains. When scattering check to see if local laws allow this to take place in the location you desire.
• Green Interment: There are now biodegradable urns for this purpose.

There are many types of urns to suit the individual needs of families and they are available in different shapes and sizes. Often an urn is chosen that reflects a personal past-time of a loved one. Today’s manufacturers have a wide range of options to shine a light on a key passion of the deceased.

If you wish to view our urn selection, please contact us.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

11/04/2025

View Gary Fowler's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/04/2025

View Tracy Haffie's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.