Manresa (Barcelona), April 22, 2021 — Àltima is finalizing the renovation of the Manresa Funeral Home, located at 11-13 Bruc Street in the capital of Bages. The center, which was opened by Fontanova nearly 23 years ago, has been completely renovated with the goal of providing users with more spacious, comfortable, and fully accessible areas. The renovations, which have lasted 14 months, were carried out following environmentally respectful criteria to minimize the carbon footprint and promote energy efficiency.
Jaume Fontanet, manager of the Manresa Funeral Home managed by Àltima-Fontanova, explains, "This renovation allows us to further improve the quality of service we provide to the public and adapt to their needs, especially during such delicate times when families need to feel comforted and supported, while respecting their privacy as much as possible." The Manresa Funeral Home now features five completely renovated wake rooms equipped with all necessary services, each with a private bathroom, a wardrobe, and a catering or family refreshment area, as well as a multimedia projection system. Additionally, two of the rooms can be combined to create a larger or grander space if needed. The entrance hall and reception area have also been renovated, creating a direct internal access to the Montserrat Oratory; new user service offices have been designed, including two offices for individual family counseling; and a vending area or common lounge with an outdoor terrace has been added on the first floor. The center also now includes a new indoor public parking lot for 38 vehicles, doubling the previous capacity.
The comprehensive renovation of the Àltima-Fontanova Funeral Home also includes universal accessibility, ensuring autonomy for people with reduced mobility. The center's spaces are distributed across the ground floor, with street-level access, and the first floor, accessible by elevator. In total, the renovation covers an area of 1,400 m² (600 m² for the funeral home and 800 m² for the parking area). The Montserrat Oratory, recently renovated, and the internal service areas were not affected by the renovation.
For the renovation work, proximity-based manufacturing solutions were considered to minimize the carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency — such as climate control systems with heat recovery; the use of natural light and, if necessary, low-energy LED lighting with timers in all rooms; and computer equipment with Class A energy ratings. The vegetation incorporated into the new spaces includes low-water-use Mediterranean native species.
A Center Adapted to the Current Context
The renovated Àltima Manresa Funeral Home, which has remained operational during the renovation works, is fully adapted to the new reality caused by COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, the funeral home has adjusted all services and spaces and implemented various safety and prevention measures. In this regard, a protocol has been developed and applied to enhance protection, hygiene, and information at the center, "through which we have been able to continue guaranteeing the highest health safety for all users during wakes and ceremonies, always respecting the maximum allowed capacity, with the aim of enabling them to give a final farewell to their loved one. Being able to pay the last tribute to the deceased is a psychologically necessary ritual, as it allows for the beginning of the grieving process," explains Jaume Fontanet.
Àltima has also implemented a remote funeral service processing system so that users can receive counseling and complete all necessary procedures without having to travel, using any internet-connected device or by phone.
Collaboration with the Central Catalonia Grief Support Service
In Manresa, Àltima supports the Central Catalonia Grief Support Service to assist families using the funeral home who are going through a loss. “We have been involved with this organization for over 10 years because we believe that emotional support in the face of death is essential to prevent pathological grief, especially in cases of traumatic deaths.” This support has become even more necessary since the beginning of the pandemic, “when, due to restrictions, many families have been unable to give the desired farewell to the deceased, leading to many interrupted or postponed griefs that, if not resolved, can become pathological.” Additionally, the company also provides a free 24-hour telephone grief support service, allowing for immediate and at-home assistance for families in need.