Funeral Homes in Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins has only 4 funeral homes — but they serve the largest geographic area of any city in our WV analysis. If you live in Randolph, Tucker, Pocahontas, Webster, or eastern Upshur County, Elkins is your funeral services hub. These providers drive mountain roads to reach families in some of WV's most remote communities every day. And at $5,800 average burial cost, Elkins is the cheapest funeral market in the state.
At a Glance
| Funeral Home | Type | Crematory | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lohr & Barb | Independent · Since 1889 | ❌ | $–$ | Oldest business in Randolph County, 2 locations (Elkins + Parsons) |
| Tomblyn Funeral Home | Independent · Family-operated | ❌ | $–$ | Elkins-based, Mark Tomblyn since 1980 |
| Randolph Funeral Home | Independent | ❌ | $–$ | 2 locations (Valley Bend + Parsons), Tucker County coverage |
| F.E. Runner Funeral Home | Independent | ❌ | $–$ | Traditional service |
Price guide: $ = budget-friendly · $–$ = affordable (Elkins is the cheapest WV market)
Not sure where to start?
Call all 4 — it takes 30 minutes.
With only 4 providers, you can compare every option in the market with 4 phone calls. There's no reason to guess. Each funeral home has been here for decades — the differences are in personal connection, specific services, and pricing details.
Start with Lohr & Barb (since 1889) for your benchmark, then call the other three.
In a market this small, every provider knows they're competing for the same families. That competition, combined with the mountain region's low cost of living, is why Elkins has the lowest funeral costs in the state.
Lohr & Barb Funeral Home & Cremation Services
The oldest continuously operating business in the city of Elkins AND in all of Randolph County — 136 years and counting. Founded in 1889, just one year before Elkins itself was incorporated. The Parsons location has its own origin story: it was established shortly after the devastating 1985 flood that cut Tucker County off from Elkins. When Tucker County families couldn't reach their funeral home, Lohr & Barb went to them. That second location has served Tucker County ever since — a direct response to a natural disaster that became a permanent commitment to the community.
Tomblyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Family-operated with Mark Tomblyn serving as funeral director since 1980 — over 45 years of personal service. Located on Randolph Avenue, about 2.5 miles from the Elkins town center. Tomblyn offers a complete range of services including headstone selection and cremation urns alongside traditional funeral and cremation options. Their longevity in a 4-provider market reflects steady, trusted service to mountain families.
Randolph Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Two locations covering the broadest possible area: Valley Bend in Randolph County and Parsons in Tucker County. This dual-location strategy mirrors Lohr & Barb's approach — Tucker County's remoteness demands a local presence. Randolph Funeral Home emphasizes serving every family 'with care and compassion' regardless of budget, and they mean it: mountain funeral homes understand that affordability isn't optional for most families in this region.
F.E. Runner Funeral Home
The fourth provider in the Elkins market. In a city where every funeral home has served for decades, F.E. Runner adds to the competitive balance. Contact them for a General Price List — with only 4 providers total, getting all 4 quotes is both practical and smart.
Funeral Service in WV's Mountain Region
Planning a funeral in the mountains comes with practical challenges that flatter parts of the state don't face.
Travel distances are real. Elkins is the hub for 5+ counties. Marlinton (Pocahontas County) is 60 miles away. Davis (Tucker County) is 30 miles. Webster Springs is 45 miles. All on mountain roads that don't behave like interstate highways. Every Elkins funeral home handles body transportation across these distances as a routine part of service — you don't need to figure out the logistics.
Winter changes everything. Between November and March, mountain snowstorms and icy roads can delay services, complicate family travel, and make cemetery access difficult. If you're planning a funeral in winter, communicate travel concerns early. Every Elkins funeral home understands and accommodates weather delays without question.
Remote church cemeteries. Mountain families have been buried in small church cemeteries for generations — some on narrow roads, some on steep hillsides, some accessed by unpaved surfaces. Tell the funeral home the exact burial location early so they can assess access and plan accordingly. They've been navigating these roads for decades.
No local crematory. None of the 4 Elkins funeral homes has an on-site crematory. Cremation is outsourced to facilities in neighboring counties (likely Clarksburg or another regional provider). This doesn't affect the quality of service — it's standard practice in rural WV — but it may add 1–2 days to the cremation timeline.
5+ Counties Served from Elkins
These 4 funeral homes serve a catchment area of 30,000+ people spread across some of WV's most rugged terrain.
Randolph County: Beverly, Mill Creek, Huttonsville, Valley Head, Coalton, Dailey, Montrose
Tucker County: Parsons, Davis, Thomas, Canaan Valley, Hendricks, St. George (Lohr & Barb and Randolph Funeral Home both have Parsons locations)
Pocahontas County: Marlinton, Green Bank, Durbin, Cass, Hillsboro (60 miles — but Elkins providers serve these communities)
Webster County: Webster Springs, Cowen, Camden-on-Gauley
Upshur County: Buckhannon (also has its own funeral homes — but eastern Upshur families may find Elkins closer)
"If you're in any of these communities and need funeral services, call an Elkins provider. They travel these mountain roads every day and serve families regardless of distance."
The Cheapest Funeral Market in WV
| City | Avg. Burial | Avg. Direct Cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Elkins | $5,800 | $1,100 |
| Logan | $5,700 | $1,050 |
| Fairmont | $5,900 | $1,150 |
| State average | $8,074 | $2,289 |
| National average | $7,848 | $1,600–$2,300 |
Elkins and Logan trade places as the cheapest WV cities depending on the service type. Both are dramatically below state and national averages. The mountain region's lower cost of living translates directly into lower funeral costs — every line item is cheaper here.
Full Elkins cost breakdown with itemized pricing →
Body Donation Option
If the deceased expressed interest in donating their body to science, or if the family has no financial resources:
WVU Human Gift Registry — West Virginia University's body donation program accepts donations at no cost to the family. WVU covers transportation, processing, and eventual cremation. Contact: (304) 293-6322.
"Several Elkins funeral homes can coordinate the donation process. Body donation eliminates funeral costs entirely while contributing to medical education and research."
More on the cheapest burial options →