Community members remember loved ones at Berry-Bell & Hall remembrance event

For families who have recently lost a loved one, the holidays may be particularly difficult because of the absence of someone dear to them. However, although a family member or close friend is no longer living does not mean that they cannot be remembered in a special way during the holidays.

Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary has been providing a comprehensive selection of funeral services to the Fallbrook, Rainbow, Bonsall, De Luz and Pala communities since 1948, and during the holiday season, offer an opportunity for families to come together and remember their loved ones that have passed on.

Brothers Steve and Scott McGargill, owners and managing directors of Berry-Bell & Hall, hosted their seventh annual Christmas memorial service on December 15.

“We invite all of the families who we have serviced from November to October,” said Steve. “We have a candle-lighting ceremony, a cappella singing and music, as well as a slide show that helps families from the area share the loss and love they are experiencing of their lost ones over the holidays.”

Typically, only 25 to 45 of the 275-plus individuals who are invited come to the event, but Steve believes that this allows for a more intimate setting for those who want to incorporate the passing of their beloved family member or friend into the holiday season.

“It’s a very nice and intimate event,” said Steve. “Those who do come are very appreciative, and like that they can share this holiday season with others, especially since this is the first year without a loved one.”

The Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary has been able to provide professional service to its customers since the very beginning, and the McGargill brothers pride themselves on being able to continue to offer the same excellent service Fallbrook and the surrounding communities have come to expect.

Both brothers graduated from mortuary college in San Francisco in 1994, and have been able to provide a high quality service to Fallbrook since 2001.

“We truly enjoy serving the local community,” said Steve. “People are great, and down to earth. We have served all faiths and creeds, and can help when a family wants a religious service, regardless of the faith.”

The memorials held year after year and have always been open to the public, said Steve.

“Everyone is invited,” said Steve. “We have a few people who have heard about the memorial, and ask if they can come. We have also had some individuals who have come multiple years.”

The memorial is intimate, and has been tailored to highlight special moments that family and friends of the departed want to remember.

“We ask people attending the event to bring a 5”x7” or 8”x10” photo of their loved one to be displayed on a table, and have a slide show or video with photos of the loved ones to make the event more meaningful.”

Steve stated that Berry-Bell & Hall’s staff finds working for the Fallbrook community to be an “honor,” and is always happy to provide any assistance that it can.

“We see the memorial as a way to give back to the community while reminding families that we did not forget about them,” said Steve. “We have families who call because the have heard of our professionalism, and we try to make the funeral process as easy as possible for family members during a difficult time.”

Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is located at 333 N. Vine Street

Fallbrook. For more information call (760) 728-1689, email [email protected], or visit http://www.berry-bellandhall.com.

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