Cremation in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Parkersburg has a cremation advantage that no other WV city its size can match: three funeral homes with their own crematories, all competing for your business. Leavitt (since 1882), Lambert-Tatman (3 locations), and Vaughan-Kimes each operate independently. Add the Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society as a dedicated budget option, and Parkersburg cremation families have more choices — and more pricing leverage — than anywhere else in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Parkersburg Cremation Costs (2026)
| Service | Price Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation | $1,250–$1,500 | Transportation, container, cremation, return of remains |
| Direct cremation (budget — MOVCS) | ~$1,100–$1,200 | Same as above, no-frills |
| Cremation with memorial service | $3,200–$4,800 | Cremation + chapel, staff, memorial gathering |
| Cremation with viewing | $4,000–$6,000 | Full service before cremation |
| Pet cremation (Leavitt) | Varies | Guaranteed individual — one pet at a time |
Three crematories competing = the best cremation pricing leverage in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Get quotes from all three crematory operators to find the lowest rate.
Cover Cremation Costs Before They Fall on Your Family
Final expense insurance pays within 24-72 hours — fast enough to cover cremation costs when they're due. Plans from $30/month.
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3 Crematories in One City — Here's How to Use That
Charleston has 1 crematory. Huntington has 2. Morgantown has 2. Parkersburg has 3. This is your single biggest advantage as a cremation consumer.
CREMATORY 1
Leavitt Funeral Services & Crematory
403 7th St, Parkersburg + Belpre, OH · (304) 485-4564
Since 1882 · 143 years family-owned. The oldest and most established cremation provider. Leavitt's dual WV/OH locations mean they serve both sides of the river. Also operates Leavitt Pet Crematory and Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society.
CREMATORY 2
Lambert-Tatman Funeral Homes & Crematory
3 locations: Parkersburg, South Parkersburg (Pike St), Vienna · (304) 485-9522
30+ years · "Your loved one never leaves our care." The largest operation by footprint. Three locations across the metro area plus their own crematory. Their marketing emphasis directly addresses the #1 concern cremation families have about where the body goes.
CREMATORY 3
Vaughan-Kimes Funeral Home & Crematory
Parkersburg · (304) 485-7524
The third crematory in the market. Three-way competition is rare in any industry — in the funeral industry, it's almost unheard of for a city this size. Vaughan-Kimes' presence ensures that neither Leavitt nor Lambert-Tatman can set prices without competition.
The Strategy — How to Get All 3 Quotes in 30 Minutes
Step 1 (10 min)
Call Leavitt. Ask for their direct cremation price — all-inclusive. Note what's included and what's extra.
Step 2 (10 min)
Call Lambert-Tatman. Same question, same comparison. Note their emphasis on keeping your loved one in their care.
Step 3 (10 min)
Call Vaughan-Kimes. Third quote. You now have the full market picture.
Step 4 (optional, 5 min)
Call Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society for the absolute price floor. They specialize in budget cremation.
30-35 minutes. Four quotes. Three crematories. One budget specialist. No other city in WV gives you this level of information this fast. The lowest quote wins — unless service differences matter more to your family.
Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society — The Price Floor
If cost is the deciding factor, start and possibly end here.
Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society
Connected to the Leavitt funeral home operation · Parkersburg, WV
- • Direct cremation at the lowest available rate in the market (~$1,100-$1,200)
- • No-frills: transportation, cremation, return of remains
- • No service, no viewing, no chapel use
- • Cremation processed through Leavitt's facility
MOVCS exists for one purpose: the most affordable cremation in the Mid-Ohio Valley. If a memorial gathering matters to you, hold one separately at your church or home — most congregations host these at no charge. The cremation and the memorial are two separate decisions that don't need to happen at the same funeral home.
Leavitt vs. Lambert-Tatman vs. Vaughan-Kimes — Beyond Price
If the quotes are close, here's how to decide.
Leavitt — history and range. 143 years of family ownership. Dual WV/OH locations. Pet crematory. Budget option (MOVCS). The most complete cremation ecosystem in the market. Best for families who want everything under one roof — or who need cross-river service.
Lambert-Tatman — convenience and chain of custody. Three locations means there's one near you. Their "never leaves our care" promise gives anxious families peace of mind about where their loved one is at every stage. Best for families who value proximity and transparency about the process.
Vaughan-Kimes — the competitor that keeps prices honest. Their presence ensures a three-way market. Best for families who are comparison-shopping on price and want maximum options.
All three are independently owned. All three handle cremation on-site. The decision comes down to: which provider feels right when you talk to them?
Belpre & Marietta — Across the River
Belpre, OH (5 min): Leavitt already has a Belpre location — making cross-river cremation seamless with no additional coordination. Same family, same standards, Ohio address.
Marietta, OH (15 min): Additional cremation providers in Washington County, OH. Ohio funeral pricing and regulations differ from WV — one comparison call tells you whether crossing the river saves money.
Parkersburg families cross the Ohio River for everything else. Cremation is no different. Leavitt's Belpre location makes this especially easy — it's the same provider on both sides.
Pet Cremation in Parkersburg
🐾 Leavitt Pet Crematory
- • Mid-Ohio Valley's ONLY facility specializing in individual pet cremation
- • One pet at a time — never uses dividers, never commingles
- • Guaranteed return of YOUR pet's remains
- • Operated by the same Leavitt family since 1882
If you've lost both a family member and a pet — or if you want to know your options for the future — Leavitt is the only local provider guaranteeing individual pet cremation.
What to Do With Cremated Remains in Parkersburg
Keep at home. No WV law prohibits it. An urn, a shelf, a garden niche — your choice.
Scatter. The Ohio River is the most meaningful local option for many families. WV has no state law restricting scattering on private land with permission. For the Ohio River specifically, check local regulations — some communities have ordinances.
Bury. Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Sunset Memory Gardens, and other area cemeteries offer cremation plots and columbarium niches at lower cost than full burial plots.
Divide among family. Especially practical when siblings live in different states. 3–7 pounds of remains allow multiple keepsake urns.
Send across the river. If family members live in Ohio, divide the remains — some stay in WV, some go to Ohio. No legal restriction on transporting cremated remains across state lines.