McLarens Funeral Chapel

McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary, located at 801 19th Street in West Des Moines, Iowa, has been a pillar of compassionate care for the community for over a century. Founded by Earl D. McLaren in 1921, the business began as a single funeral parlor in Valley Junction and moved through several locations before settling at its current site on the grounds of Resthaven Cemetery in 1978. Today, the funeral home is part of the Dignity Memorial network, North America's largest group of licensed funeral, cremation, and cemetery service providers, but it remains rooted in the founder's promise to 'serve as we would be served.'

McLaren's Resthaven Chapel offers a wide range of personalized funeral and memorial services, accommodating families of all belief systems and cultures. The spacious chapel seats approximately 150 guests, and a reception room comfortably hosts up to 50 for catered events, from continental breakfasts to full-service dinners. The funeral home is committed to creating unique services that capture the essence of a loved one, whether a traditional church funeral or a modern celebration of life with live music and catering. Cremation options are also explained in detail, including direct cremation, witness cremation, and full funeral services before or after cremation, ensuring families understand all available choices.

Resthaven Cemetery, established in 1931, sits on 40 acres of rolling hills and features a serene lake home to swans named Jack and Jill. The cemetery was among the first in the United States to permit only flush-to-ground grave markers, preserving its natural beauty. Burial options include traditional ground burial, above-ground entombment in two mausoleums (the lakefront Garden Mausoleum and the older Chapel Mausoleum), as well as a cremation garden with benches and niches. Private family estates are also available. A floral placement program allows families to have silk arrangements placed on gravesites in spring and fall.

McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary honors veterans with deep respect. The cemetery features a black granite Veterans Wall inscribed with names of local veterans and hosts annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. The funeral home also participates in the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program. The team guides families in creating meaningful veteran memorial services.

Additional conveniences include prepayment plans with potential discounts, onsite parking, wheelchair accessibility, and a 100% service guarantee. The funeral home is open 24/7, always offering a real person on the phone. With a stellar 4.8-star rating from hundreds of reviews, McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary continues to deliver professional, heartfelt care to families in West Des Moines and beyond.