Page 5 - Devlin Funeral Home

There were two rental cottages on the lot adjacent to the Funeral Home. The cottages were demolished in order to accommodate a parking lot. The original house that had been the Barber Shop was remodelled for the Devlin family to reside in. Refrigeration was added to the morgue (1978) and Dan Devlin was appointed Coroner.
By 1987 it was apparent that cremation was becoming more in demand so with great foresight Mr. Devlin acquired the permits and approval for a crematory to be constructed on the lot with the parking lot.
Dan Devlin raised his family in the house and ran the funeral home until 2016 at which time Devlin Funeral Home was sold to Gail Bergen. Gail had practised Chiropractic in Sechelt since 1994. She promptly found a chiropractor to cover for her while she enrolled in the program to become a funeral director and embalmer. Gail received the dual license in the fall of 2018. From 2016 to present the Devlin Funeral Home property continues to be upgraded, painted and is evolving with the times to meet the community’s needs. The arrangement room was moved to the rear of the chapel and an urn and jewelry display were incorporated into the space. The original arrangement room by the front door was expanded and is now the operating offices.
By 2017 Dan Devlin retired as the Coroner and was presented an award for the longest standing Coroner in British Columbia.
Gail Bergen continues to modernize and improve the premises while working towards educating the public on the importance of acknowledging death as part of the life cycle. She has also subsequently taken the training to become a certified Celebrant. Dan Devlin continues to work at the Funeral Home on a part time locum basis. The staff is now offering full service for Celebrations
of Life in any venue of your choice as well as at Devlin Funeral Home.
Meet Our Staff
Gail Bergen formerly
Gail Thurber
Owner Operator Doctor of Chiropractic Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer,
Certified Celebrant
In 1991 Gail graduated from Chiropractic College and practised Chiropractic for 25 years, 21 of them in Sechelt. She was interested in a career change and for a number of years was in contact with Dan Devlin prior to the purchase. By 2016, Dan was ready to sell his life long business. At this time Dan was pleased to be able to sell the funeral home to an independent owner as well as a local in the community.
The transaction took place in August of 2016. From the beginning of her career Gail has focussed on healing and brings her compassion and strength to the community through helping the bereaved at this vulnerable time. Though the learning curve has been steep and intense Gail is honoured to hold the community with caring for the dead and empathizing with the living.
Devlin Funeral Home - Page 5