From the smallest funeral to the largest, Bonnerup Funeral Service can now accommodate them all.

The funeral service, owned by funeral directors Larry Wulff, Paula Wilson, Steve Merfeld and partner Tom Vertin, is officially open in its new location at 2210 E. Main St. today. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house and dedication were held Sunday.

The partners officially purchased the vacant Crystal-Pierz Marine building in April of 2008. The building originally was built as the home of Northstar Powersports, which is now on Consul Street.

Construction of Bonnerup’s new place began in late August or early September, Wulff said.

“It was time for some updating,” Wulff said of the funeral home, which had been located on West Clark Street since July of 1938, and several locations before that since starting in 1922. “What’s really important is that we’re all on one level — no steps.”

The old facility had about 11,000 square feet. The new one measures 14,000 square feet. The entrance facing East Main Street has a glass atrium and seating area.

Inside, the lobby features a natural gas fireplace with handcrafted oak and granite surround made by local artisan, Jim Finseth. There’s a central 14-foot-high barrel ceiling, centrally located reception desk and built-in register cabinet with its own computer, connected directly to the funeral home’s Web site, so people attending visitations can leave personal memorials for the family. A comfortable seating area also awaits visitors.

There are two chapels in the facility. The first has state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for sharing video or music tributes to personalize the service of a loved one. There is also a new digital piano.

The second chapel is designed to complement the main chapel. It also has the capability of being a totally separate visitation space. It has its own special lighting, furnishings and audio-visual equipment. Six large arched windows give an architectural feature to the space.

A reception center can be set to serve 125 guests and has its own separate caterer’s kitchen. The gathering space allows family and friends to share food and memories. Since this room is also wired for audio-visual equipment, the same features available in the chapel can be used. In the case of extra-large funerals, where there are more guests than the two chapels allow, additional guests can sit in the reception center, Wulff said.

There is a family lounge that can be used for families and children, small meetings and large family arrangement conferences. The lounge is equipped with a television and DVD player and a kitchenette.

A conference room will be primarily used as the family meeting room where funeral arrangements are made. The room can also serve as a small meeting space or an additional family lounge if two visitations are being held in the same building.

There is a selection room where funeral merchandise is displayed, including burial products, cremation products and markers and monuments. A new feature in this room is the computer kiosk, which allows families to customize their merchandise selections.

Other features of the new funeral home are a covered canopy area where visitors can drive up in bad weather. It will also be easier for those who have trouble walking long distances.

There’s an entrance on the south side of the building, along with additional parking. A garage provides parking for four vehicles and the equipment necessary for the operation of the building.

In addition, the facility features a well-lit preparation room and staff work areas.

The staff is very pleased with the way things turned out.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to offer such a warm, inviting facility to the community,” Wilson said.

Added Merfeld, “It’s ushering in a new era, with state-of-the-art equipment, audio-visual and sound system. I’m overwhelmed.”

Hundreds of visitors turned out for Sunday’s open house.

“We’re so proud of the new facility, we wanted everyone to see it,” said Connie Van Ryswyk, office manager.

The décor features soft earth tones with burgundy accents.

The business was begun in 1922 by Jens and Alma Bonnerup. The family business expanded in 1945 to include their son and daughter-in-law, Robert and LaVonne Bonnerup. Their son, David, joined the funeral service in 1977.

Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Service also has a chapel in Ellendale (a new facility was construction there in 2007) and operates Friedrich’s Funeral Home in New Richland as well.

Vertin, a third-generation Minnesota funeral director, and the Bonnerup staff purchased Bonnerup Funeral Service and its three locations in October of 2001.