When you drive down East Main Street in Newport, the buildings tell a story. Some are fresh and modern, while others feel like they’ve been holding up the sky for a century. Costner Maloy Funeral Home Newport Tennessee is one of those places. It’s a name that carries weight in Cocke County. If you’ve lived here long enough, you probably have a story about it. Or your parents do.
Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter. You’ve probably seen the "Closed" signs on certain online directories or noticed the name change on the sign out front. It’s confusing. Is it still open? Who owns it? Honestly, the transition from a local family-owned staple to a corporate-backed entity has left a few people scratching their heads.
Let’s get the facts straight. This isn't just a building; it’s a piece of Newport history that’s currently navigating the choppy waters of the modern funeral industry.
What Actually Happened to Costner-Maloy?
For decades, this was the place. Donald L. Costner, a Cosby High grad and a true local, ran the show. It was family-owned. It was local. People liked knowing that the person handling their most difficult day was someone they might run into at the grocery store.
But things changed.
Back in late 2022, a company called Heritage Family Services went on a bit of a buying spree in Tennessee and Kentucky. They picked up several well-known spots, including Click Funeral Homes in Knoxville and, yes, Costner-Maloy in Newport.
Then came the name shift. If you look at the Chamber of Commerce records or the official website today, you’ll see it listed as Costner-Maloy & Brown Funeral Home. The addition of "Brown" to the masthead wasn't just for aesthetics; it marked a new era of management.
The "Closed" Rumor Explained
If you search for them on Legacy or certain obituary sites, you might see a big red "CLOSED" tag next to the name.
- It’s misleading. * The physical location at 338 East Main Street is still there.
- They are still handling services—like the recent ones for Mary Elizabeth Barger Ford and Edward Gates in early 2025.
The "closed" status usually refers to the old business entity. When a corporate group buys a local home, the old "Costner-Maloy Funeral Home" corporation is technically dissolved or renamed, which triggers those confusing automated flags online.
Services and What it Costs Today
Let’s talk money. Nobody likes to, but when you’re planning a funeral, the "how much" is usually the first question. Newport isn't New York, but funeral costs have definitely climbed.
Based on recent 2024-2025 pricing data, here’s a rough breakdown of what you’re looking at in this neck of the woods:
- Traditional Burial: You’re usually looking at about $6,500 to $7,000 for a full service. This includes the professional fees, the viewing, and the hearse.
- Full Service Cremation: This is becoming way more common in East Tennessee. It’s around $4,500. You still get the ceremony, but without the casket burial.
- Direct Cremation: This is the "no-frills" option, starting somewhere near $1,300 to $1,500.
The facility itself at 338 East Main Street still maintains that classic, somber atmosphere. They’ve kept the chapel services fairly traditional, which is what most folks in Cocke County still prefer. It’s about respect, not flash.
Why the Location Matters
Newport is a tight-knit place. The fact that the funeral home is situated right there on Main Street, near the heart of town, is significant. You’re just a stone's throw from the French Broad River.
It’s interesting to note that they moved slightly or consolidated operations—some older records list them at 322 East Main, but current filings and active service notices point firmly to 338 East Main Street. If you’re heading there for a visitation, double-check your GPS. A few yards makes a difference when you’re trying to find parking on a busy Friday afternoon.
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The Local Competition: Manes vs. Costner-Maloy
You can't talk about funeral services in Newport without mentioning Manes Funeral Home. They’re just down the street at 363 East Main.
For years, there’s been a bit of a "which side of the fence are you on?" vibe between the two. Manes is still heavily active—if you look at the obituary wires for January 2026, you’ll see they are handling a large volume of the local services (shout out to the families of Regina Holt and Mary Ann Pruitt who were recently served there).
Costner-Maloy & Brown has shifted into a different model. Being part of the Heritage Family network means they have more back-end resources, but some locals feel it lost a bit of that "Old Newport" soul when the ownership moved out of town.
Misconceptions You Should Ignore
"They’re out of business."
Nope. They are active. Just look at the service for Joseph "Joe" Johnson in March 2025. They are still very much a part of the community fabric.
"It’s the same as it was in the 90s."
It’s not. The management is different. The "Brown" family influence and the Heritage corporate structure mean things are run a bit more like a modern business now. This isn't necessarily bad—it often means better digital records and more flexible payment plans—but it is a change.
"The obituaries are hard to find."
This is a common complaint. Because of the name change to Costner-Maloy & Brown, some older search bookmarks don't work. You’ve gotta check their specific "Costner-Maloy-Brown" domain now, rather than the old "Costner Funeral Home" links.
Navigating the Future of Grief in Newport
If you’re a resident of Newport or nearby Parrottsville and Cosby, you have choices. The "death care" industry in Tennessee is changing. We’re seeing more people opt for "celebrations of life" at local parks or even at home, rather than the traditional two-day visitation.
Costner-Maloy & Brown has had to adapt. They now offer more "memorial-style" services that don't involve a body present, which was almost unheard of in Cocke County forty years ago.
What to do if you're planning a service
If you've been tasked with handling arrangements, don't just go by the name on the sign.
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to give it to you.
- Compare the Brown influence. See if the current staff feels like the right fit for your family’s vibe.
- Check the Shady Grove or Resthaven connections. Most services here end up at one of these two cemeteries. Ensure the funeral home has a good working relationship with the groundskeepers there to avoid "day-of" logistical nightmares.
Honestly, losing a loved one is hard enough without the confusion of corporate mergers and name changes. Costner-Maloy & Brown Funeral Home remains a pillar of Newport, but it’s a pillar that’s been renovated. It still stands, it’s still serving, and it still knows the way to Resthaven Memorial Gardens better than anyone.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you need to contact them for current records or pre-planning, call the East Main Street office directly rather than relying on third-party "tribute" websites which often have outdated contact info. For those looking for historical obituaries from the original Costner-Maloy era, your best bet is the Cocke County Partnership or the local library archives, as the new website primarily focuses on 2023-2026 records.
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When you go in, ask specifically about their "Heritage Family" options—sometimes being part of a larger network gives you access to grief counseling resources that the smaller, independent shops might not have on hand. It’s worth the ask.