Funeral Homes in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling's funeral market is the most historic in West Virginia. Kepner Funeral Home traces its roots to 1845. Grisell has been in operation since 1847. Altmeyer has served for over a century. These aren't just funeral homes — they're Ohio Valley institutions that have buried generations of the same families. The market also includes CARE Funeral & Cremation Service, which positions itself as the affordable alternative. With Ohio options 10 minutes across the river, Wheeling families have real choices across every price point.
At a Glance
| Funeral Home | Type | Crematory | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kepner Funeral Home | Independent · 5 gen | ❌ | $–$$ | Legacy provider, 5 locations, since 1845 |
| Altmeyer Funeral Homes | Independent · 3 gen | ✅ On-site | $–$$ | On-site cremation, century of service |
| CARE Funeral & Cremation | Independent | ❌ | $–$ | Affordable pricing, live streaming, catering |
| Grisell Funeral Homes | Independent | ✅ Crematory | $ | Since 1847, Moundsville + Wheeling |
| Gompers Funeral Home | Independent | ❌ | $ | Traditional Wheeling service |
| Ohio options (St. Clairsville) | Various | Varies | $–$$ | 10 min across the river |
Price guide: $ = budget-friendly · $ = moderate · $$ = 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. Altmeyer — on-site crematory, century of family ownership, multiple locations. Your benchmark for full-service pricing.
- 2. CARE Funeral & Cremation — positioned as the affordable option. Their quote sets the floor for the Wheeling market.
- 3. Kepner — the oldest funeral business in the region (since 1845). Five locations means flexible service options. Compare their pricing against Altmeyer for a full picture.
Three calls, 30 minutes. The oldest funeral market in WV gives you the most established options to compare.
Kepner Funeral Home
The oldest funeral business in the Wheeling region — and one of the oldest in all of West Virginia. George Mendel established the original furniture and funeral business in 1845. Carl J. Kepner joined in 1902, and five generations of Kepners have served since. Today, Co-Presidents John D. and James B. Kepner run the business, with their children Jonathan, Alex, and Ashley representing the fifth generation. Five locations across Wheeling means there's a Kepner chapel in virtually every neighborhood — Chapline Street downtown, South Wheeling, Elm Grove, Woodsdale, and the Burke-Bodey Chapel in Warwood.
Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory
Over a century of family-owned funeral service with an on-site crematory — meaning cremation is handled entirely within Altmeyer's care. Three generations of the Altmeyer family have built a reputation for both professional service and deep community involvement. Their Elm Grove Chapel has served families since 1955. For cremation families, Altmeyer's in-house capability means no third-party transfers and a more streamlined process.
CARE Funeral & Cremation Service
CARE positions itself as 'premium funeral services at affordable prices' — and backs it up with features you wouldn't expect at the budget end of the market. Live streaming for family who can't attend in person. Catering services for visitations and receptions. Veterans services. Remote access so everyone can participate regardless of location. If you want full service without full-service pricing, CARE is the first call to make. Multiple locations covering both Wheeling and Moundsville.
Grisell Funeral Homes & Crematory
Founded in 1847 — making Grisell one of the oldest continuously operating funeral businesses in the entire state of West Virginia. Originally established in Wetzel County, now serving from Moundsville and a newer Wheeling/Bethlehem location. Their on-site crematory means cremation is handled in-house. They also offer Thumbies — custom fingerprint keepsake jewelry made from your loved one's actual fingerprint. A deeply personal touch that few providers offer.
Gompers Funeral Home
An independent Wheeling provider offering traditional funeral services. In a market dominated by multi-location family dynasties (Kepner with 5 locations, Altmeyer with multiple), Gompers offers a smaller-scale alternative. Worth a call for comparison — smaller independents sometimes offer more competitive basic services fees.
Ohio Options: St. Clairsville (10 min)
Wheeling's proximity to Ohio gives families additional provider options just minutes away. St. Clairsville, OH has funeral homes that regularly serve Wheeling-area families. Cross-state funeral services are common in the Ohio Valley — a Wheeling church service with Ohio burial (or vice versa) is handled routinely. Include at least one Ohio provider in your comparison calls to see if cross-river pricing works in your favor.
How to Choose a Funeral Home in Wheeling
- 1. Start with what matters most: price, history, or cremation control. If price → call CARE first. If family legacy and multi-generational trust → call Kepner or Altmeyer. If on-site cremation → Altmeyer or Grisell.
- 2. Two crematories compete. Altmeyer and Grisell both have on-site crematories. Get cremation quotes from both — direct competition benefits your family.
- 3. Kepner's 5 locations = neighborhood convenience. With chapels in downtown, South Wheeling, Elm Grove, Woodsdale, and Warwood, there's likely a Kepner location close to your home, church, or cemetery. Ask which location best serves your area.
- 4. CARE's extras matter. Live streaming and catering aren't available everywhere. If you have family who can't travel to Wheeling for the service, CARE's remote access could be the deciding factor — even if their base pricing is comparable to others.
- 5. Don't overlook Moundsville. Both Grisell and CARE have Moundsville locations, 15 minutes south. If you're in the southern part of Ohio County or in Marshall County, these may be more convenient — and pricing may differ from the Wheeling locations.
The History Advantage
Wheeling families can choose between funeral homes that have been serving the Ohio Valley for nearly 180 years.
"This kind of multi-generational service is rare anywhere in America. In Wheeling, it's the norm. These families have buried your grandparents, your parents, and they'll be here for you. That continuity means institutional knowledge of your family's traditions and preferences."
Wheeling Funeral Cost Quick Reference
| Service | Wheeling Average |
|---|---|
| Traditional burial (funeral home costs) | $6,500 |
| Direct cremation | $1,300 |
| Cremation with memorial | $3,500–$5,000 |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000–$2,000 |
Wheeling pricing is mid-range for WV — comparable to Charleston and slightly below Morgantown. CARE Funeral & Cremation Service generally offers the most competitive pricing in the market.
Full Wheeling cost breakdown with itemized pricing →