State-of-the-art facility will prioritize accessibility, sustainability and family-centred service
As Mount Pleasant Group (MPG) marks its 200th anniversary in 2026, the organization is looking to the future with plans for a new 21,000-square-foot funeral centre at Duffin Meadows Cemetery in Pickering. The purpose-built facility, located at the southeast corner of Brock Road and William Jackson Drive, is expected to open in 2028 and will expand access to funeral services in Durham Region.
Duffin Meadows Cemetery has served the community since 1993 and offers a range of burial, cremation and natural burial options. The addition of a funeral centre will provide families with the convenience of accessing cemetery, funeral and reception services in one location.
Once complete, the facility will join MPG's network of funeral centres across the GTA, offering modern, flexible spaces designed to meet the evolving needs of families while setting new standards for accessibility and environmental performance.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the facility is being planned as MPG's first funeral centre with zero natural gas combustion and will utilize geothermal technology for heating and cooling. The Duffin Meadows Funeral Centre is also undertaking to meet Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certification and Canadian Green Building Council Zero Carbon Design and Zero Carbon Building Performance certifications. It has already been nominated for a Durham Region Accessibility Award.
"As we celebrate our 200th anniversary, we're continuing to invest in the facilities and services families need today and in the future," said John Monahan, Mount Pleasant Group’s CEO. "This new funeral centre has been designed with accessibility, environmental stewardship and family comfort at its core."
The funeral centre will feature two large, flexible gathering spaces designed to accommodate a range of services, visitations and receptions. Both spaces can be divided into smaller rooms as needed, allowing families to create arrangements that reflect their traditions, preferences and group sizes.
To mark the start of construction, MPG hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Duffin Meadows Cemetery on July 28, 2026.
Founded in 1826, the not-for-profit organization has evolved alongside the communities it serves, introducing new facilities, technologies and service options while remaining focused on supporting families through loss and remembrance.
The new Duffin Meadows Funeral Centre is being built to replace the current TSA-Pickering location. Families will continue to be served at TSA-Pickering until the new facility opens, at which time funeral centre operations will move to Duffin Meadows.
“As the needs of families continue to evolve, it’s important that the spaces where we gather evolve as well,” said Angie Aquino, President, Funeral Services for the Mount Pleasant Group. “This new funeral centre will allow us to continue that commitment in a modern, accessible facility designed to meet the needs of today's families while providing the flexibility to serve future generations."
Today’s announcement and groundbreaking event are one of several events and initiatives being held during MPG’s 200th anniversary in 2026. MPG invites the public to learn more and engage with its anniversary program under the theme Yesterday. Today. Forever at www.mpg200.ca.
