Ogden Funeral Home

Our Story

Sometimes we forget the importance of checking out whether the company you are dealing with is a "family-owned and operated" business or part of a huge corporation that answers to a board of directors located in some far off location or country that truly does not understand the local community that it serves. At Ogden's we have been a family business since 1948 when Doug and Effie Ogden first opened their doors in a private residence situated on Main Street of what was then known as Agincourt. They wanted to become known as a funeral home that was dedicated and committed to providing quality services that demonstrated integrity, fairness and honest concern for each family that they served.

At Ogden's we understand the special care a family needs during their time of loss and afterwards as well. We understand about families because we are one. We know how important respect and dignity are to a family. That's why we care on a personal level, not because this is our business, but because it is our way of life.

You can tell when someone really cares. They don't even have to say it because you can tell from their actions. That's how it is with a real family business. Walk through the door and you feel like the only thing that matters. A family business, like Ogden's, is so much more than just a name, it's a feeling you come to recognize when service becomes more important than the bottom line on a financial report. We don't lose sight of who we are working for. After all you're the one our employees have to answer to not a Board of Directors. We believe it is more important to be answerable to you and our local Scarborough community rather than a group of stockholders and it is our responsibility to honour your wishes and respect your budget.

Over the years Doug and Effie had three children; Sharon, Grant and Nancy. Just like your family their children made varying career choices and in the end it was Sharon Ogden who upon obtaining her funeral director's licence, along with her husband Gordon McIlmoyle, chose to continue on in the family business. Active on a daily basis are their four daughters, Tracy, Lesley, Michelle and Kristine. Each of the daughters has since married and some of their husbands have attained their funeral director's licence. Their children as they grow will take the family business into a fourth generation.

Corporate business vs. family-owned is different and we think that is a good thing. For us, being family-owned and operated means meeting both your present needs and the future needs of your family. We are committed to providing you with a wide variety of services at affordable prices, without sacrificing the quality of care that you will receive. We take our obligation to our community seriously, and strive to fulfill that obligation every day. We attempt to give back and support the community where our business is located by contributing to the growth of local businesses and various community groups and organizations. We are here to provide you with personalized attention to make sure we create with you a dignified departure service for your family member. This is the cornerstone of our business.

We are part of the Scarborough community, a family with values, beliefs and traditions. Our concern for you is genuine, our support sincere. We truly have a personal interest in you and your family - our neighbours and our friends. When you call on us, you're not calling upon strangers for assistance in your time of need. We truly are a family business that is here to serve your family...our family caring for yours.