When you drive down Bells Highway in Walterboro, you can’t really miss the Brice Herndon Funeral Home. It’s been there forever. Well, since 1972, technically. If you’re from the Lowcountry, you probably know the name, but there’s a lot more to this place than just a brick building and a fleet of black cars. Honestly, it’s one of those local institutions that feels like part of the town's actual DNA.
People talk about it. They rely on it. Sometimes, they even see it on the news.
A Legacy That Started with an Ambulance
It’s kinda wild to think about, but back in the day, funeral homes often doubled as ambulance services. That’s exactly how Brice W. Herndon got his start. In 1955, he partnered up with a guy named Leon Bearrow. They weren't just handling viewings; they were the ones racing to the scene of an accident. It was high-stakes, 24/7 work.
By 1971, the Herndon family bought out the partner. That’s when the Brice Herndon Funeral Home in Walterboro South Carolina as we know it today really took shape. Brice and his wife Katherine ran the show with their sons, Donald and "Buddy."
It stayed a family affair for decades. Even after the founders passed away—Brice in 2001 and Donald in 2019—the name stuck. Today, guys like Stephen Anthony Herndon (Managing Partner) and Allison Herndon (Managing Director) keep the wheels turning. They aren't just corporate managers. They are certified crematory operators and licensed directors who grew up in the business. They know the weight of the work they do.
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What They Actually Do (Beyond the Basics)
Most people think a funeral home is just about the service on a Saturday morning. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The Walterboro chapel is big. It’s been expanded four times and can seat about 350 people. That’s a lot of space for a small town. But it’s the variety of what they offer that usually surprises people. We’re talking about:
- The Granite Division: They don't just outsource headstones. They have their own monument company (Stephen A. Herndon Monument Company). They handle the granite and marble themselves because they want the quality to stay high.
- On-Site Crematory: Not every funeral home has its own. Having one on-site means your loved one never leaves their care. It’s a huge peace-of-mind factor for a lot of families.
- Grief Support: They actually send out free daily grief support emails for a full year after a service. It's a small thing that’s actually a huge thing when you’re in the thick of it.
The Elephant in the Room: The Murdaugh Connection
Look, you can't talk about Walterboro or businesses in Colleton County without someone bringing up the Murdaughs. It’s basically unavoidable. Because Brice Herndon is the "go-to" for many in the region, they’ve handled some of the most high-profile arrangements in the state’s history.
When Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed in 2021, it was the Brice Herndon Funeral Home that handled those arrangements. Later, when the nanny Gloria Satterfield’s death became a central part of the legal web, the funeral home was mentioned again.
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There was even a bit of a legal stir in 2022. Alex Murdaugh had allegedly fronted money to a different funeral home owner (John Martin) for a purchase, but because everything in the Lowcountry is so interconnected, people sometimes get the names mixed up. To be clear: Brice Herndon has remained a respected, family-run entity throughout the chaos. They were doing their job during a time when the whole world was watching Walterboro.
Why the "Pursuit of Excellence" Matters
You’ll see the "NFDA Hall of Excellence" mentioned on their site. Most people skim past that stuff. Don't.
That award is basically the Oscars of the funeral industry. To get into the Hall of Excellence, you have to win the "Pursuit of Excellence" award ten times. It’s about technical proficiency, but also community involvement and professional integrity. It’s not just a participation trophy. It means they aren't just coasting on a name that’s been around for 70 years.
A Different Kind of Business Model
Funeral homes are weird businesses. You’re dealing with people on their absolute worst days.
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The Herndons have managed to stay relevant by leaning into technology. They do live streaming for services now. If you have family in California who can’t make it to Walterboro, they can watch the service live. They also do these tribute videos—basically high-end montages—that they play during the visitation. It’s a far cry from the old-school, stuffy funeral vibes of the 50s.
What You Need to Know if You’re Planning
If you find yourself needing their services, don't just walk in blind. Here's the reality:
- Ask about the Cremation Pricing: They pride themselves on "transparent pricing." Ask for the itemized list. You only pay for what you actually use.
- Veteran Benefits: They are experts at navigating the VA paperwork. If your loved one was a veteran, let the directors handle the red tape. They know how to get the honors and the benefits sorted.
- Personalization: Don’t feel like you have to do a "standard" service. They’ve done everything from traditional church burials to unique life celebrations. If the deceased loved fishing, tell them. They'll figure out how to incorporate that.
The Brice Herndon Funeral Home in Walterboro South Carolina isn't just a place of business; it’s a repository of local history. Every obituary they post is a piece of the Colleton County story.
Your Next Steps
If you are currently in a position where you need to make arrangements or are looking to pre-plan, the best thing to do is a simple walkthrough.
- Visit the Walterboro Chapel: It’s located at 1193 Bells Highway. Seeing the space in person helps take the "scary" factor out of the process.
- Check the Online Memorials: If you want to see how they handle tributes, look at their current obituaries. It gives you a feel for their tone and how they honor families.
- Request a General Price List (GPL): By law, they have to give this to you. Use it to compare costs if you are pre-planning on a budget.
- Ask for Stephen or Allison: If you want to talk to the family directly, ask for them by name. They are still very much involved in the day-to-day operations.
Taking these steps early—even if it feels uncomfortable—saves a massive amount of stress later on. Whether you’re looking for a simple cremation or a full traditional burial, knowing the people behind the name makes a world of difference.