Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit on your chest; it reshapes the whole room. In a tight-knit place like Bassett, Virginia, that weight is often shared. When you walk into Collins Funeral Home Bassett, or as many locals know it today, Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, you aren't just entering a business. You're stepping into a piece of Henry County history that has been quietly holding the community together since 1935.
People often get confused about the name. Is it Collins? Is it McKee-Stone? Basically, it’s all of the above. The original Collins Funeral Home was the very first full-service funeral provider in Martinsville and Henry County. That’s a big deal. Before they showed up, things were a lot more fragmented. By 1978, W.A. Collins Jr. built the modern facility on Riverside Drive that most of us recognize today. He wanted a space that felt less like a cold institution and more like a home.
The Reality of Funeral Planning in Bassett
Honestly, most people don't want to think about funeral homes until they absolutely have to. But when that moment hits, the details matter more than you’d think. Collins Funeral Home Bassett has stayed relevant because they’ve figured out how to balance old-school tradition with the weird, specific demands of the 2020s.
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You’ve got options now that didn't exist thirty years ago. It’s not just about a casket and a church service anymore.
- Cremation is huge now. A lot of families in Bassett are moving away from traditional burials. The staff here handles everything from direct cremation to "witness" cremations where the family stays present.
- Video Tributes. They actually produce these in-house. You give them the old photos, and they turn it into a high-def video that plays during the visitation.
- The Chapel. It’s big. Like, 250-people big. If you’ve ever been to a funeral in a tiny, cramped room, you know why a large chapel with mountain views actually makes a difference for the vibe of the day.
One thing that kinda surprises people is how much they lean into personalization. I’ve heard stories about families wanting "beach-themed" send-offs or afternoon ice cream socials instead of somber wakes. They actually do that. If someone loved the outdoors, the staff can set up the service to reflect that, rather than just sticking to a rigid, "one-size-fits-all" religious template.
Why the Name Changed (And Why It Didn't)
Ownership in the funeral industry is a bit of a maze. In the late 90s, there was a massive wave of consolidations. A company called Loewen Group started buying up local spots like Collins in Bassett and McKee in Martinsville. Eventually, these merged under the Dignity Memorial umbrella.
Some people worry that "corporate" means "cold." But in Bassett, the faces often stay the same. Long-time directors like Don Roberts became staples of the community. Even as part of a larger network, the Bassett location still operates with that specific Henry County pulse. You get the resources of a big network—like the ability to transfer pre-arranged funeral plans to any of the 1,900 locations in North America—but you’re still talking to people who probably know your cousins.
Breaking Down the Costs and Logistics
Let’s be real: Funerals are expensive.
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Most people in Bassett are looking for transparency. They want to know what they're paying for without the "sales pitch" vibe. One of the actionable things you can do right now is look into pre-planning. It sounds morbid, but it’s actually a huge gift to your kids or spouse. It locks in today's prices. Since inflation hits the funeral industry just as hard as the grocery store, paying for a 2026 service in 2026 is better than waiting until 2040.
What you can expect for a standard service:
The facility at 30 Riverside Drive provides more than just a room. They handle the police escorts—which are still a standard mark of respect in Virginia—the black car service, and the filing of all those annoying death certificates and veteran benefits forms that no one wants to touch while they're grieving.
Practical Steps for Families in Henry County
If you are currently navigating a loss or trying to help a neighbor, here is the "no-nonsense" checklist for dealing with Collins Funeral Home Bassett:
- Gather the Paperwork: You'll need the Social Security number, birth date, and any military discharge papers (DD-214) right away. They can’t start the veteran benefit process without that.
- Photos Matter: Start a shared digital folder with family members now. The "Tribute Videos" they make are only as good as the photos you provide.
- Ask About the "Travel Protection": Because so many people in Bassett have family who moved away for work, Dignity Memorial offers a plan that covers the cost of transporting a body if someone passes away more than 75 miles from home. It's a niche detail, but it saves thousands in a crisis.
- Use the Online Memorial: They provide a free digital space for obituaries. Unlike the old newspaper days, people can upload their own photos and videos here. It turns a static text block into a living history.
The funeral home isn't just a place where things end. In a small town, it’s where the community re-centers itself. Whether you're looking for a traditional service at a local church or a quiet cremation, the focus remains on the person who lived. That’s why Collins has stuck around for nearly a century. They know that in the end, it’s not about the building; it’s about the people inside it.
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To move forward, your best bet is to call and request a "Personal Planning Guide." It’s a free document that lets you write down exactly what you want—down to the music and the flowers—so nobody has to guess later. It’s a small bit of paperwork that saves a massive amount of stress down the road. You can also visit the facility on Riverside Drive to see the chapel and reception areas in person to get a feel for the space before you ever need it.