Page 5 - Berg Mortuary - Planning Guide

Wyman continued to operate the mortuary This addition was completed in 1948, and on
in their building on Center Street until 1935 June 27, 1948, at 4 p.m., an Open House was
when the facilities became too small and the held and the Mortuary was dedicated. Wyman
area too congested. The building was leased officiated at the dedication ceremonies and
as a grocery store, and Wyman was paid tribute to his father, who took him in as a
instrumental, through the Knight family, in partner when he was only 13 years old.
purchasing the home of the late Jesse Knight at
185 East Center Street. He moved the mortuary The establishment of the Berg Mortuary of
to this location. Wyman, Veva, and the family Orem, in 1957, to serve the fast-growing area
moved into the Knight mansion. In 1935, Berg adjoining Provo, exemplifies the Berg policy of
Mortuary became a charter member of the providing adequate and appropriate facilities
National Selected Morticians. to meet the needs of the changing times. It has
been extensively remodeled with a newly
This building became too small for the updated chapel with seating for 300 people
increased size of the operation, and Wyman and an adjacent parking lot.
and his son, Max, started planning for further
expansion. They visited many mortuaries The Berg Mortuary in Provo and Orem has been
throughout the western states. After serving the families of Utah Valley for over 146
deciding on the size of an adequate building, years, spanning four generations of the Berg
they installed an oil heating plant. In 1947 family.
Wyman and Max built an addition to the Knight
home increasing the size by 150 percent. The
new building was constructed on the north or
back of the present building and was 50 feet
north and south, and 80 feet east and west,
with a full basement. An elevator was installed,
and on the lower floor were located the
complete embalming/operation rooms, and a
casket display room. The chapel, business
office and other facilities were on the main
floor. Veva and Wyman continued to live in
their apartment on the second floor. This
addition made the facility approximately
seven times larger, making it possible to
accommodate approximately 100 to 800
people during services. Complete living
quarters were then constructed on the third
floor to accommodate an apprentice who
would answer the telephone at night, and
perform other services while living on the
premises.

History | 05