Funeral Homes in Hurricane & Teays Valley, West Virginia
Hurricane has only 2 funeral homes — but one of them (Chapman) is among the best-equipped in the entire state, with an on-site crematory AND a dedicated green burial merchandise showroom. The other (Allen) has been serving Hurricane families since 1916. And if neither fits, Charleston's 12+ providers are 20 minutes east on I-64. Two strong local options plus the largest nearby market in the state: that's a good position to be in.
At a Glance
| Funeral Home | Type | Crematory | Green Burial | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman Funeral Home | Independent · 3rd gen | ✅ On-site (2011) | ✅ Showroom | $–$$ | Cremation, green burial, largest chapel in Putnam County |
| Allen Funeral Home | Independent · Since 1916 | ❌ | ❌ | $ | 108 years of hometown service, 4 generations |
| Charleston providers (20 min) | Various | Some | Some | $–$$ | 12+ options, widest price range in WV |
Price guide: $ = moderate | $$ = mid-range
Not sure where to start?
Two local calls, then one for perspective:
- 1. Chapman — on-site crematory, green burial showroom, 300+ seat chapel. If you want full-service with modern options, start here.
- 2. Allen — 4 generations, 108 years. If you want a smaller, deeply personal, hometown-rooted experience, call Allen.
- 3. One Charleston provider (Barlow Bonsall, Snodgrass, or Affordable Cremations of WV — 20 min east) — a third quote from the bigger market gives you price perspective.
Two local quotes plus one Charleston quote. That's the I-64 corridor strategy.
Chapman Funeral Home
Chapman is a third-generation family operation that has consistently invested in staying ahead of the curve. John W. Chapman Jr. had the foresight to open the Putnam County location in 1965, recognizing Teays Valley as one of WV's fastest-growing areas. In 1987 a new facility was built and renovated in 2002. In 2011, they added an on-site crematory AND a showroom devoted exclusively to cremation and green burial merchandise — one of the very few such showrooms in all of West Virginia. Current funeral director Jake Chapman (3rd generation) is a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science who also spent 10 years as a member of the Teays Valley Fire Department. The family's WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners connection (John Chapman Sr. served on the board) adds another layer of industry credibility. Their chapel seats 300+ — the largest single chapel in Putnam County — with ample parking and spacious lounges. Pet cremation services are also available.
Allen Funeral Home
Four generations of the Allen family serving Hurricane — since 1916. That's 108 years of continuous family ownership, predating the growth of Teays Valley by half a century. When Hurricane was a small railroad town, Allen was there. When it became a Charleston suburb, Allen was there. When Putnam County became one of WV's fastest-growing counties, Allen was there. What Allen offers that Chapman can't: the intimate scale of a single-location, multi-generational family funeral home. No 300-seat chapel, no showroom, no corporate expansion strategy. Just a family that's been taking care of families since Woodrow Wilson was president. For some families, that's exactly what they want.
Charleston Is 20 Minutes East — Use That
Hurricane sits on I-64 between two of WV's largest funeral markets. This geography is your negotiating leverage.
Charleston (20 min east) — 12+ providers:
- • Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home & Crematorium — on-site crematory, established independent
- • Snodgrass Funeral Home — voted Best in Kanawha Valley, Parting Stones available
- • Affordable Cremations of WV — lowest cremation rate in the valley (~$1,100)
- • Stevens & Grass, Wilson, Elk, Preston — multiple additional independents
- • Cunningham Parker & Johnson — corporate (Everstory Partners)
South Charleston / St. Albans / Dunbar (15–20 min east):
- • Keller Funeral Home (Dunbar), Casdorph & Curry (St. Albans), Bartlett-Nichols (St. Albans)
- • These western Kanawha Valley providers are actually CLOSER to Hurricane than downtown Charleston
Huntington (45 min west) — 14+ providers:
- • If you're in the western end of Putnam County (Eleanor, Buffalo), Huntington may be as close as Charleston
- • Henson & Kitchen (new 2024 crematory), Chapman's Mortuary (crematory), Beard, Ferrell-Chambers
"Between Hurricane's 2 local providers and the 25+ options within 20–45 minutes on I-64, Putnam County families have the widest accessible funeral market of any suburb in WV."
Green Burial in Putnam County
Chapman is one of the few WV funeral homes that has invested in green burial — not as an afterthought, but with a dedicated showroom.
What's in the showroom. Biodegradable caskets (wicker, bamboo, unfinished pine), shrouds, eco-friendly urns, and cremation merchandise designed to minimize environmental impact.
Why it matters here. Putnam County's growing population includes younger families and transplants from other states who are more likely to consider green burial. Chapman saw this trend early and invested in it.
Cost advantage. Green burial typically costs $2,000–$4,000 — significantly less than traditional burial at $6,400. You skip embalming, the expensive casket, and the burial vault.
Cemetery compatibility. Not all cemeteries accept green burials. Ask Chapman about local cemetery policies regarding vault-free burial and biodegradable caskets.
Hurricane / Teays Valley Funeral Cost Quick Reference
| Service | Hurricane Average | Charleston (20 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional burial | $6,400 | $6,526 |
| Direct cremation | $1,250 | $1,269 |
| Green burial | $2,000–$4,000 | Limited options |
| Cemetery plot | $800–$1,500 | $1,100–$2,000 |
Hurricane and Charleston pricing is nearly identical. The difference is in specific services: Chapman's green burial showroom is unavailable in Charleston, while Charleston's larger market offers more providers and price competition.
Full Hurricane cost breakdown with itemized pricing →