People’s Funeral Chapel

Let’s celebrate life

Whether you are planning for yourself or a loved one, our bilingual team is ready to help you create a meaningful celebration that reflects the personality and passions that makes a life unique. We find inspiration almost anywhere—in a favorite song, hobby, even an iconic style—and turn that into a funeral or memorial filled with thoughtful and meaningful details. You’ll find there’s almost no limit to the special tribute we can create.

We understand that losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and we are committed to helping our families with compassionate, professional and personal service. Our professional funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide you.

Please call us when we can help.

History

When Hanford, California, became a city in 1891, the People’s Undertaking Association handled most of the mortuary business in the area.

Around that time, Cecil G. Demme, who was working with his father in a furniture store and funeral parlor in Emerson, Nebraska, received a letter from a friend that informed him that "Hanford was in need of a funeral parlor.”

Cecil came to Hanford with his wife in 1924 and, along with parishioners from the Hanford Presbyterian Church, formed the People's Undertaking Parlor Corporation for the purpose of selling stock to raise money to build a funeral parlor.

The corporation drew up plans for the funeral parlor, which was to be located on North Douty and 8th streets in Hanford. The People's Funeral Chapel was completed in 1925.

A transfer of ownership in 1950 prompted a remodel of the funeral home, as well as the name change from People's Undertaking Parlor to People's Funeral Chapel. One of the more noticeable changes made was the addition of decorative cement block walls on the south and west sides. This addition gave the building its iconic modernistic appearance.