Cremation in Beckley, West Virginia
Here's the most important thing to know about cremation in Beckley: Melton Mortuary & Cremation Center is the only on-site crematory in the area. When you choose cremation through ANY Beckley funeral home — Rose & Quesenberry, Blue Ridge, Calfee, Ritchie & Johnson — your loved one is almost certainly transported to Melton's facility for the actual cremation. This means going directly to Melton eliminates the middleman. It also means Melton is effectively the cremation hub for all of southern West Virginia.
Beckley Cremation Costs (2026)
| Service | Price Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation (Melton — direct) | ~$1,200 | Transportation, container, cremation, return of remains |
| Direct cremation (through other providers) | $1,300–$1,600 | Same, but includes their markup + transfer fee |
| Cremation with memorial service | $3,000–$4,500 | Cremation + chapel, staff, memorial gathering |
| Cremation with viewing | $4,000–$6,000 | Full service before cremation |
The price difference between going to Melton directly vs. through another funeral home is the markup + transfer fee — typically $100-$400. On a $1,200 cremation, that's an 8-33% premium for not picking up the phone and calling the crematory yourself.
Cremation Costs Shouldn't Bankrupt Your Family
Final expense insurance covers cremation — payout within 24-72 hours. Plans from $30/month, no medical exam.
📞 Get a Free Quote: 1-855-321-3094Free quote · No obligation · Licensed agents
One Crematory Serves All of Southern WV
This isn't just a Beckley fact — it's a regional reality.
Melton Mortuary & Cremation Center
1200 Harper Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 · (304) 253-8100
Since 1951 · Only crematory in the Beckley/southern WV area
Communities whose funeral homes likely outsource cremation to Melton:
🔹 Beckley — Rose & Quesenberry, Blue Ridge, Calfee, Ritchie & Johnson, Durgan
🔹 Oak Hill / Fayetteville (20 min north) — Tyree, High Lawn, Dodd Payne Hess, New River Gorge Funeral Service
🔹 Princeton / Bluefield (30 min south) — Memorial, Seaver, Bailey-Kirk, Fredeking, Roselawn, Cravens-Shires
🔹 Hinton (30 min east) — Summers County providers
🔹 Logan / Chapmanville (60 min west) — All 7 providers
🔹 Welch / McDowell County (45 min southwest) — Local providers
That's 25+ funeral homes across 5+ counties potentially routing cremation through one facility. If you're choosing cremation anywhere in southern WV, calling Melton directly for their price should be your first step.
The Two-Call Strategy
You can separate the SERVICE from the CREMATION.
Call 1 — Melton Mortuary:
"What is your direct cremation price — all-inclusive?" This is the price of cremation itself, from the people who actually perform it.
Call 2 — Your preferred local funeral home:
"What is your cremation package price?" This includes their service fee, their markup, and the transfer to Melton.
Compare the two numbers.
The difference is what you're paying for the local funeral home's involvement. For some families, that involvement is worth every penny — they want Rose & Quesenberry's award-winning service handling everything. For others, going direct to Melton saves $100-$400 with no loss of quality in the actual cremation.
This isn't about cutting corners. It's about knowing what you're paying for.
Cremation Through Beckley's Funeral Homes — What Each Offers
Melton Mortuary & Cremation Center — The crematory operator. Since 1951. The only people in southern WV who actually perform cremation. Direct relationship = direct pricing. Veteran flag-draping for cremation — when a veteran chooses cremation, Melton offers to drape a U.S. flag over the cremation container. · (304) 253-8100
📋 Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Chapels — The people's choice. Voted best 5 of 6 years. Publishes prices in newspaper ads. 2 locations (Beckley + Shady Spring). Outsources cremation but their service quality and price transparency may justify the markup. · (304) 253-4461
📋 Blue Ridge Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens — The one-stop option. Dignity Memorial (corporate). Combined funeral home + cemetery. If you want cremation AND a burial niche for the urn on the same property, Blue Ridge can handle everything in one place. · (304) 256-8625
📋 Calfee Funeral Home — The inclusive option. Emphasizes service "no matter your religion, culture, or budget." If you have specific cultural or religious cremation needs, Calfee's inclusive approach may be the best fit.
📋 Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor — The community option. 70+ years of service. Deep community roots. If your family has used Ritchie & Johnson for generations, their handling of the cremation arrangement comes with institutional knowledge of your family.
Can't Afford Cremation? Options Exist
Direct cremation at ~$1,200 is already the cheapest option in the Beckley market. But if even that is beyond reach:
1. UMWA death benefits. If the deceased was a mine worker. Call 1-800-291-1425.
2. WV DHHR burial assistance. Up to $1,000 for eligible families. Contact the Raleigh County DHHR office.
3. VA burial benefits. Up to $2,004 for eligible veterans. Call 1-800-827-1000.
4. Body donation. WVU Human Gift Registry: (304) 293-6322. Costs the family $0. WVU covers all expenses.
5. Ask Melton about payment plans. Some funeral homes offer payment arrangements. It doesn't hurt to ask.
6. Social Security death benefit. $255 for eligible survivors. Call 1-800-772-1213.
Complete guide to cheapest burial and cremation options →
What to Do With Cremated Remains in Beckley
Keep at home. No WV law prohibits it.
Scatter in the mountains. New River Gorge National Park (check NPS regulations), Grandview overlook, Babcock State Park, private property with permission. The southern WV mountains offer meaningful scattering locations that flat-state families don't have.
Bury locally. Sunset Memorial Park, Greenwood Memorial Park, Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, and church cemeteries throughout Raleigh County offer cremation plots and niches.
Church hollow cemeteries. Many southern WV families have been buried in the same church or hollow cemetery for generations. Cremated remains can be buried in an existing family plot — often at minimal or no cost. Ask the cemetery or church.
Divide among family. Especially practical when children have moved away from southern WV — to Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbus, or beyond. Each family member keeps a portion.