As the oldest continually operating business in Seattle, Bonney-Watson has helped a lot of families celebrate the lives of the people they loved. But over those 145 years, the way in which people hold funerals and memorial services has changed. That’s why Bonney-Watson has decided to list its funeral home property at NW 57th Street in Ballard for sale.

Bonney-Watson purchased Wiggen and Sons Funeral Home, in 2000. Founded in the early 1900s, Wiggen and Sons had a rich tradition of serving families in Ballard and the surrounding neighborhoods, so it was a good company match. But in the last 13 years, Ballard has changed substantially, with a shift in demographics towards younger-aged people and with extensive real estate development in the area.

“The Wiggen and Sons funeral home facility was built immediately after WWII and is in need of updating,” said Cameron Smock, president, Bonney-Watson. “Plus, younger families moving to Ballard do not have the same need for the services we have traditionally offered and have less of an interest in using the existing funeral home facility. Therefore, we have decided to take the proceeds from this property sale and reinvest in new facilities in Seattle that will offer families more flexibility and more amenities, allowing them to have meaningful memorials and funeral celebrations that meet their family’s needs.”

Smock is quick to clarify that Bonney-Watson is only selling the property, not the funeral home business. “Our business remains healthy and regardless of whether we hold property in Ballard, Bonney-Watson remains committed to Ballard families,” he said. “We have been active members of the Ballard community for many years through Rotary, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, the Norwegian Commercial Club, the Ballard Senior Center, and many other organizations, and that will not change. Wiggen and Sons was family-owned as is Bonney-Watson; we will continue to provide the same level of care and compassionate service generations of Ballard families have come to count on.”

Smock added that Bonney-Watson is in no rush to sell the property, and therefore expects to continue to operate the existing funeral home facility for another 18 months or longer. “We will also collaborate with churches, community organizations and others in Ballard to use their space for funerals and memorial services if families wish. In fact, an increasing number of families are choosing to hold their services at outside venues like this anyway.”

He added, “Bonney-Watson’s mission has been, and continues to be, to provide 'meaningful experiences and exceptional care’ to families at a time when they need it most. One of the ways in which we will deliver on this mission is by making strategic investments in facilities that meet the needs and expectations of our families, and this sale will allow us to do that.”

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