Alumni Business Owner Spotlight: Eunice Friesen

For Eunice Friesen, a career rooted in nursing has led to a business built on compassion, innovation, and deep community connection. A 1988 graduate of Northwestern Polytechnic’s Registered Nursing program, Eunice is the co-founder of Bear Creek Funeral Home & Cremation Sanctuary in Grande Prairie. Bear Creek Funeral Home is a family-owned business that exemplifies a thoughtful approach to funeral service in a modern, diverse community.

A Lifelong Connection to Northwestern Polytechnic

Eunice’s connection to Northwestern Polytechnic spans nearly four decades. She attended the Registered Nursing program, which, at the time, was located in the south wing of the former Montrose Junior High School. After graduating in 1988, she remained closely involved with the institution. Over the years, Eunice has served as a sessional instructor in the Business Department, a guest lecturer in Nursing, a member of the Board of Governors (2017–2018), and a contributor to numerous committees and initiatives.

Her commitment to NWP also includes philanthropic support, notably through donations to the Health Education Centre at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, and her involvement with the Northern Alberta Medical Program working committee and admissions committee for the University of Alberta’s medical program.

“I just like to stay involved,” Eunice says. 

“Education is pretty important to me. It’s wonderful to see how connected healthcare and education are becoming in Grande Prairie.”

From Healthcare to Entrepreneurship

While moving from healthcare to funeral service may seem like an unexpected leap, Eunice sees a clear throughline. Her nursing career included pediatrics, two decades in correctional services, and a pivotal transition into occupational health nursing. That role introduced her to business development and helped shape her entrepreneurial path.

In 2010, Eunice became the founding Executive Director of the Primary Care Network, further strengthening her leadership and strategic planning skills. Then, in late 2012, she and her husband, Doug, a funeral director, opened Bear Creek Funeral Home.

“I moved from doing business development for others to business development for ourselves,” she explains.

The Friesens opened their first location in a business condo on 84th Ave in Grande Prairie. From the outset, they knew they had to think differently to succeed in a competitive and traditionally conservative industry.

Innovation, Inclusion, and Community

What sets Bear Creek Funeral Home apart is its people-first approach. Early on, Eunice embraced social media, long before it was common in funeral service, as a way to build trust and connection. Rather than marketing the business, she focused on helping people get to know Doug and Eunice.

That philosophy guided the growth of Bear Creek Funeral Home into its current purpose-built facility, completed within five years of opening. The business earned provincial recognition with the 2019 Alberta Small Business of the Year Award, celebrating its innovative design and inclusive services.

The space was intentionally created to serve families of diverse backgrounds. Prairie Hall allows for practices such as smudging and overnight wakes, while the cremation sanctuary and family preparation rooms support cultural and faith rituals. Even the crematorium itself was designed as a welcoming, dignified space where families can be present.

Beyond funeral services, the facility has become a community gathering space. It has hosted album launches and live theatre cast parties, karaoke nights, weddings, recovery group meetings, nonprofit board sessions, and local arts events.

“We intentionally created space so that we could invite the community into the building, not just for loss, but for times of celebration and coming together as a community,” Eunice says. “It is really a community space that is also used for funerals.” 

The success of Bear Creek Funeral Home & Cremation Sanctuary led Eunice to become a founding partner in the Peace Valley Funeral Home in Fairview and Peace River.

Leading with Technology and Heart

Bear Creek Funeral Home was also among the first in Alberta to adopt technology, becoming one of the first funeral homes to use YouTube, livestream services, and digital memorials. These tools were introduced well before the pandemic, driven by Eunice’s own experience of loss and a desire to help families stay connected, no matter where they are in the world.

“Our mission is simple,” she says. “To make loss easier for people.”

That mission is reflected in Bear Creek Funeral Home’s strong, long-standing team. All funeral directors hired since opening remain with the organization today, a testament to its values-driven culture.

Advice for Fellow Alumni

For NWP alumni considering business ownership, Eunice offers clear advice: reach out.

“There is a wonderful network of NWP alumni who are business owners,” she says. “Every single one of them would happily take a meeting with an NWP student to be able to support and help that individual. “Get connected. Ask questions. Pick up the phone and boldly call.”

From nursing student to business leader, Eunice Friesen’s journey reflects the lasting value of an NWP education, a strong connection to community, and a willingness to keep building in new ways.