Funeral Homes in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Parkersburg has something unusual for a city of 30,000: three funeral homes with on-site crematories. That's more cremation competition than Charleston, Huntington, or Morgantown. For families choosing cremation, this means real leverage on pricing. The market is split between two dominant providers — Leavitt (since 1882) and Lambert-Tatman (3 locations) — plus a handful of independents and Ohio options 5 minutes across the river.
At a Glance
| Funeral Home | Type | Crematory | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leavitt Funeral Services | Independent · Since 1882 | ✅ On-site | $–$$ | Longest-established, pet cremation, Ohio location |
| Lambert-Tatman | Independent · 30+ yrs | ✅ On-site | $–$$ | 3 locations, veterans Wall of Honor |
| Vaughan-Kimes | Independent | ✅ On-site | $ | Third crematory option |
| Smith Funeral Home | Independent | ❌ | $ | Traditional service, established |
| Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation | Independent | ❌ | $ | Budget cremation specialist |
| Raiguel Funeral Home | Independent | ❌ | $ | Wood County families |
| Stump Funeral Homes | Independent | ❌ | $ | Rural Calhoun/Gilmer County |
| Ohio options (Belpre/Marietta) | Various | Varies | $–$$ | 5-15 min across the river |
Price guide: $ = budget-friendly · $ = moderate · $$ = mid-range
This table gives you the overview. Scroll down for detailed listings, or use the filter buttons above to narrow your search.
Not sure where to start?
Three calls to make first:
- 1. Leavitt — the longest-established provider (since 1882) with their own crematory and a cross-river location in Belpre, OH. Your benchmark.
- 2. Lambert-Tatman — 3 locations across Parkersburg and Vienna with their own crematory. The other major player. Compare directly against Leavitt.
- 3. Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society — if cremation is your choice, this is the budget option that sets the price floor.
Three calls, 30 minutes. With 3 crematories competing in one market, cremation pricing here should be among the most competitive in WV.
Leavitt Funeral Services & Crematory
The oldest funeral home in the Mid-Ohio Valley — serving families since 1882, now in their 143rd year. Leavitt operates their own crematory and is the only provider in the area offering guaranteed individual pet cremation (never using dividers, one pet at a time). Their Belpre, OH location means they serve both sides of the river without cross-state complications. Highest obituary volume in the Parkersburg market (4,100+), which reflects the trust they've earned over nearly a century and a half. They also operate the Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society for budget-focused cremation.
Lambert-Tatman Funeral Homes & Crematory
The largest funeral operation in the Parkersburg market by footprint — three locations covering the full metro area from downtown Parkersburg to South Parkersburg to Vienna. Their marketing emphasis on 'your loved one never leaves our care' addresses the #1 concern families have about cremation: where does the body go? With Lambert-Tatman, the answer is 'nowhere — it stays with us.' They maintain a Veterans Wall of Honor and are experienced with military honors and VA benefits coordination.
Vaughan-Kimes Funeral Home & Crematory
The third on-site crematory in the Parkersburg market — giving families an unusual three-way competition for cremation services. Vaughan-Kimes is the result of combining the Vaughan and Kimes funeral home operations into one entity. For cremation families, getting quotes from all three crematory-equipped providers (Leavitt, Lambert-Tatman, and Vaughan-Kimes) is the smartest move — three-way competition keeps pricing honest.
Smith Funeral Home
An established Parkersburg independent with 2,470+ obituaries on record — the third-highest volume in the market. Serves families with traditional funeral and cremation services. While they outsource cremation to a partner facility, their traditional funeral pricing may be competitive with the crematory-equipped providers. Worth a call for comparison.
Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society
The budget option for Parkersburg-area families choosing cremation. Connected to the Leavitt funeral home operation. If your sole priority is affordable, no-frills direct cremation, start here for the price floor. You can always add a memorial gathering separately at your church or home at little or no additional cost.
Raiguel Funeral Home
Independent Wood County provider offering traditional funeral services. In a market with two large multi-location operations (Leavitt and Lambert-Tatman), Raiguel offers a smaller-scale alternative for families who prefer a more intimate, single-location experience.
Stump Funeral Homes
Not in Parkersburg itself, but serving the rural communities east of the city in Calhoun and Gilmer counties. Families in Arnoldsburg, Grantsville, and surrounding areas who don't want to travel to Parkersburg have Stump as their closest option. They handle the logistics of serving families in some of WV's most remote areas.
Ohio Options: Belpre & Marietta (5-15 min)
Parkersburg families cross the Ohio River constantly for shopping, dining, and medical care. Using an Ohio funeral home follows the same pattern. Leavitt's dual WV/OH locations make this especially easy — same company, same standards, two states. Marietta (15 min) has additional providers with potentially different pricing.
How to Choose a Funeral Home in Parkersburg
- 1. Three crematories = your leverage. Parkersburg is the only WV city of its size with three competing on-site crematories. If you're choosing cremation, get quotes from all three (Leavitt, Lambert-Tatman, Vaughan-Kimes). This level of competition should produce the most competitive cremation pricing in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
- 2. Leavitt vs. Lambert-Tatman is the central decision. These are the two largest providers. Leavitt has the history (since 1882) and the Ohio location. Lambert-Tatman has three WV locations and emphasizes keeping your loved one in their care throughout. Call both, compare line by line.
- 3. Budget cremation has a dedicated option. Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society exists specifically for families who want simple, affordable direct cremation. Their quote sets the floor — use it as a benchmark even if you end up choosing a different provider.
- 4. Vienna families have Lambert-Tatman nearby. If you live in Vienna, Lambert-Tatman has a location there — no need to drive into Parkersburg.
- 5. The Belpre bridge works both ways. Leavitt's Belpre location serves Ohio families using a WV provider AND WV families who want their Ohio-side option. If you have family or a cemetery plot in Ohio, this dual-state operation simplifies everything.
The Three-Crematory Advantage
Why does it matter that Parkersburg has three on-site crematories?
Price competition. When one provider sets cremation prices, there's no pressure to be competitive. When three providers each own their own crematory, pricing stays honest because families can comparison-shop with real alternatives.
No third-party transfers. With three crematories in one market, almost every family can choose a provider who handles cremation entirely in-house. Your loved one stays with the funeral home you chose from start to finish.
Faster turnaround. More crematories mean shorter wait times. In markets with only one crematory, backlogs can delay cremation by days. Three facilities eliminate that bottleneck.
"Parkersburg families may not realize how unusual this is. Charleston has one on-site crematory. Morgantown has two. Parkersburg has three. Use that to your advantage."
Parkersburg Funeral Cost Quick Reference
| Service | Parkersburg Average |
|---|---|
| Traditional burial (funeral home costs) | $6,300 |
| Direct cremation | $1,250 |
| Cremation with memorial | $3,200–$4,800 |
| Cemetery plot | $900–$1,800 |
Parkersburg pricing is mid-range for WV — slightly cheaper than Charleston and significantly cheaper than Morgantown.
Full Parkersburg cost breakdown with itemized pricing →