SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The owner of McKenna Funeral Services hopes to officially open Yellowknife's first-ever funeral home by Thanksgiving.

Janice McKenna, owner of McKenna Funeral Services, sits with her dog Piper on the front steps of what will soon be her - and Yellowknife's - first funeral home, located at the corner of Forrest and Burwash Drive. - Guy Quenneville/NNSL photo

As of press time, Janice McKenna, who began facilitating funeral services in the city three years ago, was in the final negotiations to purchase the Jehovah's Witnesses Church at the corner of Forrest Drive and Burwash Drive.

The funeral home will be non-denominational – open to clients of any or no religious persuasion, said McKenna, speaking in the shaded front steps of the church, which – as part of a series of outdoor renovations – will be replaced with a deck and outdoor seating area.

Speaking of Yellowknife's diverse religious makeup, McKenna said, "We have lots of Christian faith and non-Christian. This place will provide what I'm hoping is a tranquil, peaceful, respectful place for families to come and view, for the last time, the deceased, or provide a place of prayer."

Add McKenna, "They can invite their ministers in and have their own service, whatever that is."

Since McKenna became licensed as a funeral director, and long before that, services have been held inside Stanton Territorial Hospital.

While characterizing the hospital's contribution over the years as crucial, McKenna said her funeral home will favour a "living room atmosphere" over the more institutional air of the hospital.

"The major difference is that this person is now dead. They're not sick, they're dead. So to go to actual funeral home ... presents an environment of 'This is it.' You're not going back to where they were sick. It creates a different head space for people."

While McKenna is currently aided by an apprentice funeral director and helpful family members, two full-time positions will be created once the funeral home becomes more established, she said.

"It is a lot of money up front, but I think in the long term it will a well-established business," said McKenna. "There's a need. There's never been a funeral home in Yellowknife."

Jeff Humble, the city of Yellowknife's director of planning and lands, said McKenna's plans are just a sign of the city's growth.

"We're of a size where certain services are becoming necessary," said Humble.