Parkersburg families benefit from something unusual in the WV funeral market: multiple funeral homes with on-site crematories competing for your business. Combined with cross-river options in Marietta and Belpre, Ohio, you have more choices than the city's size might suggest. Here's what funeral services cost in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Prices are estimates based on Parkersburg-area funeral home data. Your costs will vary. Always request an itemized price list.
Parkersburg Funeral Cost Breakdown
| Service or Item | Parkersburg Avg. | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services fee (funeral home overhead) | $2,200 | $2,500 |
| Embalming | $750 | $775 |
| Other body preparation (dressing, cosmetology) | $275 | $275 |
| Viewing / visitation | $425 | $450 |
| Funeral ceremony | $500 | $500 |
| Hearse | $325 | $350 |
| Service vehicle | $175 | $200 |
| Basic casket | $1,650 | $2,500 |
| Funeral home subtotal | $6,300 | $7,848 |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Burial vault | $1,400 | $1,500 |
| Headstone | $1,000 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Total estimated cost | $8,700 – $11,700 | $10,848 – $12,848 |
Parkersburg funeral costs run about 20% below the national average. The Mid-Ohio Valley's mix of independent family-owned funeral homes and one corporate provider (Dignity Memorial) gives families a range of pricing and service options.
Cremation Costs in Parkersburg
Direct Cremation
Cremation only — no service, no viewing. The Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society offers one of the lowest direct cremation rates in the region.
Cremation with Memorial
Memorial service at a funeral home, church, or other venue, followed by cremation.
Full-Service Cremation
Traditional funeral with viewing, followed by cremation. Includes embalming and rental casket.
Parkersburg has an unusual advantage: at least three funeral homes with on-site crematories (Vaughan-Kimes, Lambert-Tatman, and Leavitt). When the funeral home operates its own crematory, your loved one never leaves their care — and you avoid third-party cremation fees.
Read our detailed cremation vs burial comparison →
Funeral Homes in Parkersburg
Vaughan-Kimes Funeral Home & Crematory
521 5th St, Parkersburg
On-site crematory, family-owned for generations, veteran services specialist. Highly reviewed by families and fellow funeral professionals.
Lambert-Tatman Funeral Homes & Crematory
3 locations: Green St (Parkersburg), Pike St (South Parkersburg), Grand Central Ave (Vienna)
On-site crematory, 30+ years serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. The only Parkersburg funeral home with three locations.
Leavitt Funeral Home & Crematory
403 7th St, Parkersburg
On-site crematory, full-service funeral home
Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Memory Gardens & Mausoleums
1934 Dupont Rd, Parkersburg
Dignity Memorial (corporate). Combined funeral home + 68-acre cemetery. Level One We Honor Veterans partner. Offers cemetery, funeral, and cremation all in one location.
Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society
414 7th St, Parkersburg
Low-cost cremation specialist. Best option for families seeking the most affordable direct cremation.
Kimes Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Parkersburg
Traditional and cremation services
Parkersburg's market has an interesting mix: several well-established independents with their own crematories, one corporate Dignity Memorial location (Sunset), and a low-cost cremation specialist. This variety means you have real options at every price point.
Corporate vs. Independent — What to Know
Parkersburg is one of the few WV communities where families can directly compare corporate and independent funeral homes:
Sunset Memorial (Dignity Memorial / SCI) — part of the largest funeral company in North America. Combined funeral home + cemetery is a convenient one-stop option. CareCredit financing available. Pricing is sometimes higher than independents — compare before committing.
Independent funeral homes (Vaughan-Kimes, Lambert-Tatman, Leavitt) — locally owned and operated, pricing tends to be more competitive, more flexibility in customizing services, on-site crematories keep your loved one in their care.
Neither is inherently better — it depends on what matters to your family. The key is to compare prices from at least one of each. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, all funeral homes must provide itemized pricing.
How Parkersburg Compares to Other WV Cities
| City | Avg. Burial | Direct Cremation | Funeral Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg | $6,300 | $1,250 | 7+ |
| Charleston | $6,526 | $1,269 | 12+ |
| Huntington | $5,960 | $1,200 | 14+ |
| Morgantown | $6,800 | $1,400 | 8+ |
| Wheeling | $6,500 | $1,300 | 6+ |
| WV state average | $8,074 | $2,289 | — |
| National average | $8,300 | $2,500 | — |
5 Ways to Save on Funeral Costs in Parkersburg
- 1. Compare independent vs. corporate pricing — get quotes from Vaughan-Kimes or Lambert-Tatman (independent) and Sunset Memorial (Dignity Memorial). Differences can exceed $2,000 for similar services.
- 2. Use the Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society — if you want the lowest-cost direct cremation, this dedicated cremation provider typically offers the best rate in the area.
- 3. Choose a funeral home with its own crematory — Vaughan-Kimes, Lambert-Tatman, and Leavitt all operate their own. This eliminates third-party cremation markups.
- 4. Consider Sunset's combined services — if you need both a funeral and a burial plot, their combined funeral home + 68-acre cemetery can simplify logistics. But compare total pricing against an independent funeral home + separate cemetery.
- 5. Check veteran benefits — VA burial benefits cover up to $2,004. The nearest VA national cemetery is Grafton (~140 miles). Sunset Memorial is a Level One We Honor Veterans partner with staff trained in VA benefits.
Don't Leave Your Family With a $9,000 Bill
The average Parkersburg funeral costs $6,300 to $11,700+ depending on your choices. 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 Parkersburg Area
- Sunset Memory Gardens & Mausoleums — 68-acre memorial park, combined with Sunset funeral home
- Mt. Olivet Cemetery — historic Parkersburg cemetery
- Riverview Cemetery — one of the oldest and reportedly most historic cemeteries in Parkersburg
- Evergreen North Cemetery — Parkersburg
- Evergreen South Cemetery — Parkersburg
- WV National Cemetery, Grafton — VA national cemetery (~140 miles), free burial for eligible veterans
Cemetery plot costs in the Parkersburg area range from $800 to $1,800. Sunset Memory Gardens may offer package pricing for families using both their funeral home and cemetery.