Funeraria Imperial: A legacy of love, struggle, and leadership within three generations

By Jason B. Neola

IN 1978, Irene Maria “Irma” Imperial-Delovieres—third among the siblings of the third generation of the Imperial family—began her service with Cosmopolitan Memorial Homes (CMH) as a humble cashier. Six years later, she assumed the role of manager following the passing of her grandfather, Aristoteles “Teles” Patrocinio, half-brother of her grandmother, Irene.

IMPERIAL-Delovieres in March 1990, shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nueva Caceres.

At the time, Irma’s father, Antonio “Tony” P. Imperial, was serving as a lawyer at the Public Attorney’s Office in Legazpi City. Due to his government post, he entrusted the daily operations of their family-run funeral business to Irma.

In the late 1980s, Tony directed her to find a new location for the Cosmopolitan Memorial Homes, as the San Francisco Parish Office had requested the family vacate the church-owned lot beside the parish grounds—now known as Galeria de San Francisco.

It was in the late 80s when CMH was renamed Funeraria Imperial. Tony passed away in 1989 due to a heart attack, leaving behind a grieving family and a struggling business with only P700 in the bank. Irma’s mother, Angelita “Ely” Torres-Imperial, believed it was time to close down the business.

But Irma, with unshakable resolve and faith in her father’s vision, refused. She vowed to keep the business alive and began working tirelessly to rebuild its foundation.

By 1992, the parish priest finalized the eviction of Funeraria Imperial from its original site in Brgy. San Francisco. The demolition of the building was a painful moment for every member of the Imperial family.

Once more, Irma’s mother urged her to abandon the endeavour. But Irma, ever the optimist, stood her ground. She had promised her father she would continue what he started.

Quietly, she saved enough money to invest in the business’s future. She searched throughout Naga City and, with her mom the only one aware of the company’s growing bank account, she eventually purchased a parcel of land in Sitio Matoninong, Brgy. San Francisco, for P500,000. She also acquired a duplex along Panganiban Drive from the Naga City government for another P500,000.

However, then-Mayor Jesse Robredo asked her to refrain from establishing a funeral parlor in the area and instead referred her to the Sicam family, who were selling their property in Brgy. Peñafrancia.

Fr. Francis Dolan, S.J. officiates the blessing of the newly completed Funeraria Imperial building at its present site along Peñafrancia Avenue in 1995. Also in the photo (from left to right) are Mayet Imperial, Angelita Imperial, Architect Zenaida Rosales, Irma Imperial-Delovieres, and Dodi Imperial. Fr. Dolan, a close family friend of the Imperials, led the ceremony.

The negotiations were successful. Irma acquired the property for P2 million, which would soon become the new and permanent home of the rebranded Funeraria Imperial.

While construction was underway, the company temporarily held office at the Panganiban duplex and used its motor pool in Brgy. Dayangdang as a temporary morgue. Despite these limitations, Irma continued providing funeral services, never once pausing operations.

By 1995, Funeraria Imperial finally stood tall—a symbol not just of rebirth, but of Irma’s unwavering dedication. She had turned adversity into opportunity, leading the business with quiet strength and deep love for family.

Her perseverance ensured the legacy of her grandfather Felipe and father Antonio lived on—not merely in name, but in service to generations of Bicolanos.

YULETIDE 1995 Funeraria Imperial employees received Christmas gifts from the Imperial family. In the photo, Irma (holding the microphone) is seen with Mommy Ely (seated), Mitzie Imperial-Marquez, the youngest of the Imperial siblings, and Joe Ann, Irma’s second daughter. Receiving a gift from Mommy Ely is Jun Eco, one of the company’s long-serving employees.