In January 1996, Fairview Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., at 1092 Ogilvie Rd., Gloucester successfully received their Ontario Funeral Establishment License with a goal to provide the citizens of Ottawa a unique choice when it came to funerals. Fairview was founded by President, Michael Sheedy and his wife Shelley and the mandate was to offer high quality funeral services with a budget in mind to enable families to get services at costs that minimize the financial burden some families experience at the time of the death of a loved one. “Shelley and I simply wanted to open a funeral home that was ‘cost sensitive’” states Sheedy.
Success came quite quickly to Fairview as it offered no fewer than 6 rental casket options and tailored its services towards the rapidly growing desire for cremation. The first of its kind in Canada.
Looking at other industries such as hotels, restaurants, etc. they all seemed to have tiered the marketplace in order to offer people a choice and these options for funeral homes was absent and choices were minimal. Fairview filled that gap.
Fairview operated at 1092 Ogilvie Rd., until the fall of 2001 when it moved to the current location at 259 St. Patrick St., in Ottawa’s Byward Market and continues to provide residents of Ottawa cost sensitive options when requiring the services of a funeral home. At that time, it was decided to expand its Canada wide option and became part of the Canadian First Memorial network of funeral homes offering services throughout Alberta and British Columbia. First Memorial Funeral Services – Fairview Chapel’s mantra has always been “Service, Flexibility & Cost” and we continue to “create the benchmark by which all services will be measured” says Sheedy.
The First Memorial Funeral Services – Fairview Chapel building was founded in 1910 by Edmon Gauthier and was referred to as Maison Funéraire Gauthier. In 1941, Maison Funéraire Racine, Landreville was established by Horace Racine and Albert Landreville, serving the Francophone community of Lowertown, Ottawa. Marcel Robert joined Racine in 1947 and the name changed to Maison Funéraire Racine & Robert. In 1966, Racine and Robert purchased Maison Funéraire Gauthier to form Maison Funéraire Racine, Robert & Gauthier
In my families time of need First Memorial made the tough part a little easier. I cannot thank Stefanie and her team enough for their dedication and professionalism and desire to go above and beyond.
08/17/2017
The care, compassion, knowledge, and professionalism that they extend to grieving families is second to none, and I would not hesitate to use their services again, or refer their services to others.
08/17/2017
Debbie was truly professional. She had empathy for my special needs suggesting what would be best for my circumstances never being pushy or overhearing friendly, compassionate and very caring. Thank you debbie for making a good experience at this sad time
01/08/2018
From funeral arrangements cremation, our private viewing, urn, all was done by caring and respectfully. The journey was difficult but the burden was lifted by first memorial.
01/09/2018
The compassion and professionalism of the staff was incredible throughout the whole process. Thank you
01/10/2018
Excellent service, very accommodating, welcoming kind very compassionate thank you!
01/10/2018
In this very hard times of loosing a loved one, the respect and compassion. Was outstanding and i appreciated the attention to details.
01/11/2018
The entire team was exceptional
01/02/2019
Professionalism and knowledge- exceptional- ... Very good knowledge/ response on funeral arrangements.
01/02/2019
Thanks to all the staff and especially Mark at First Memorial Funeral services for their stellar service, compassion and help for my family in these hard times. I highly recommend this funeral home. More than reasonable rates, excellent service, they'll go above and beyond your expectations and needs.
01/26/2019
