Elkins sits in the heart of WV's mountain region — surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest and serving as the funeral services hub for Randolph, Tucker, Pocahontas, and Webster counties. With only 4 funeral homes but a service area covering thousands of square miles, these providers are built for families who may be 30 to 60 minutes away.
Prices are estimates based on Elkins-area funeral home data. Your costs will vary. Always request an itemized price list.
Elkins Funeral Cost Breakdown
| Service or Item | Elkins Avg. | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services fee (funeral home overhead) | $1,950 | $2,500 |
| Embalming | $675 | $775 |
| Other body preparation (dressing, cosmetology) | $240 | $275 |
| Viewing / visitation | $375 | $450 |
| Funeral ceremony | $450 | $500 |
| Hearse | $300 | $350 |
| Service vehicle | $160 | $200 |
| Basic casket | $1,650 | $2,500 |
| Funeral home subtotal | $5,800 | $7,848 |
| Cemetery plot | $700 | $1,500 |
| Burial vault | $1,300 | $1,500 |
| Headstone | $1,000 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Total estimated cost | $7,800 – $10,800 | $10,848 – $12,848 |
Elkins is one of the most affordable places in all of West Virginia for funeral services — 26% below the national average. The mountain region's lower cost of living translates directly into lower funeral costs. Cemetery plots especially are significantly cheaper than anywhere else in the state.
Cremation Costs in Elkins
Direct Cremation
Cremation only — among the lowest direct cremation rates in West Virginia.
Cremation with Memorial
Memorial service followed by cremation.
Full-Service Cremation
Traditional funeral with viewing, followed by cremation.
Cremation is growing in the mountain region but remains less common than in WV's urban areas. Elkins funeral homes offer cremation services, though the actual cremation may be performed at a facility in a neighboring county. Ask your funeral home where cremation takes place if this matters to your family.
Read our detailed cremation vs burial comparison →
Funeral Homes in Elkins
A small market — but with providers whose roots run deeper than almost anywhere in the state:
Lohr & Barb Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Elkins + Parsons (Tucker County)
Founded in 1889 — the oldest continuously operating business in the city of Elkins and in all of Randolph County. Family-owned for over 135 years. The Parsons location was established after the devastating 1985 flood to serve Tucker County families. Offers cremation services.
Tomblyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service
45 Randolph Ave, Elkins
Family-operated with Mark Tomblyn serving as funeral director since 1980. Full-service including cremation and preplanning.
Randolph Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Valley Bend + Parsons
Serves Randolph and Tucker Counties. 2 locations providing coverage across a wide rural area.
F.E. Runner Funeral Home
Elkins
Established local provider
Four providers for a city of 7,000 might seem like a lot — until you realize Elkins serves families from a catchment area of 30,000+ people across 4–5 counties. These funeral homes are accustomed to traveling mountain roads to bring loved ones into their care.
The Mountain Factor
Funeral planning in WV's mountain region comes with practical challenges that families in flatter parts of the state don't face:
Travel distances are real. If you live in Pocahontas County (Marlinton is 60 miles from Elkins), Tucker County (Davis is 30 miles), or Webster County (Webster Springs is 45 miles), getting to and from the funeral home involves mountain driving. All Elkins funeral homes handle body transportation across these distances as a routine part of their service.
Winter weather matters. Mountain snowstorms and icy roads can complicate funeral timing between November and March. If your family is traveling from out of state, ask the funeral home about flexible scheduling. They understand the weather challenges and can work with you.
Church cemeteries in remote locations. Many mountain families have been buried in small church cemeteries for generations. These cemeteries are sometimes on narrow rural roads or unpaved surfaces. Let the funeral home know the burial location early — they'll assess access and plan accordingly.
Lohr & Barb's Parsons location exists because of a natural disaster. The 1985 flood devastated Tucker County, and Lohr & Barb established their second location specifically to serve families cut off from Elkins. That's the kind of community commitment that defines mountain funeral service.
How Elkins Compares to Other WV Cities
| City | Avg. Burial | Direct Cremation | Funeral Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkins | $5,800 | $1,100 | 4 |
| Clarksburg (60 min west) | $6,100 | $1,200 | 6+ |
| Fairmont | $5,900 | $1,150 | 7+ |
| Huntington | $5,960 | $1,200 | 14+ |
| Charleston | $6,526 | $1,269 | 12+ |
| WV state average | $8,074 | $2,289 | — |
Elkins is the cheapest city in our analysis for both burial and cremation. The mountain region's lower overhead and cost of living make it possible for local funeral homes to charge less than providers in larger WV communities.
5 Ways to Save on Funeral Costs in Elkins
- 1. Call all 4 providers — with only 4 funeral homes, you can compare every option in 30 minutes. Even small differences add up.
- 2. Direct cremation for $1,100 — the lowest rate in our WV city-by-city analysis. Hold a memorial gathering at your church or at home.
- 3. Use a family or church cemetery — plot costs at established family cemeteries or small church cemeteries are often far less than commercial memorial parks. Some are free for church members or descendants of original plot holders.
- 4. Check veteran benefits — the WV National Cemetery in Grafton is about 90 miles north — roughly 2 hours on mountain roads. VA burial benefits cover up to $2,004. All Elkins funeral homes can assist with VA paperwork.
- 5. Plan ahead to lock in prices — funeral costs are rising everywhere, including the mountain region. Pre-planning at today's rates protects your family from future increases.
Protect Your Family From an $8,000 Bill
Even at Elkins' lower rates, the average funeral costs $5,800 to $10,800+. Final expense insurance covers it — plans start at $30/month with no medical exam.
📞 Get a Free Quote: 1-855-321-3094Learn more about final expense insurance →
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Cemeteries in the Elkins Area
- Maplewood Cemetery — Elkins, city cemetery
- Mountain State Memorial Gardens — Gilman area, Randolph County
- Various church and family cemeteries — dozens scattered throughout the mountain region, many dating to the 1800s
- Parsons City Cemetery — Tucker County
- WV National Cemetery, Grafton — VA national cemetery (~90 miles north)
Cemetery plot costs in the Elkins area range from $500 to $1,200 — the lowest in our statewide analysis. Many mountain families use church or family cemeteries where plots cost little or nothing.
Communities Served from Elkins
Elkins funeral homes serve the broadest geographic area of any WV city we've analyzed:
Randolph County: Beverly, Mill Creek, Huttonsville, Valley Head, Coalton
Tucker County: Parsons, Davis, Thomas, Canaan Valley, Hendricks
Pocahontas County: Marlinton, Green Bank, Durbin, Cass
Webster County: Webster Springs, Cowen, Camden-on-Gauley
Upshur County: Buckhannon (also has its own funeral homes)
If you're in any of these communities and need funeral services, Elkins providers can help — they travel these mountain roads every day.