Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit on your chest; it complicates every single decision you have to make for the next week. When you are looking for Roberts Funeral Home New Lexington Ohio, you aren't just searching for an address or a phone number. You're looking for a place that won't make a hard situation even more clinical and cold.
Located at 304 Mill Street, this isn't just a business. It’s a fixture of Perry County.
Dealing with death is weirdly logistical. One minute you're crying over old photos, and the next you're trying to figure out if a mahogany casket is "too much" or if a simple cremation fits the vibe of the person you lost. Honestly, it’s a lot. Most people in New Lexington end up at Roberts because they’ve been there before for a neighbor, an uncle, or a friend. There’s a specific kind of trust that comes from a funeral home that has seen the town through its best and worst decades.
Why Roberts Funeral Home New Lexington Ohio Feels Different
Small-town funeral homes have a reputation for being a bit stuffy. You know the vibe—heavy velvet curtains, the smell of old lilies, and someone in a suit that’s three sizes too big talking in a hushed whisper. Roberts definitely has that traditional respect, but there’s a local pragmatism there too. They get that Perry County families aren't always looking for a grand, cinematic production. Sometimes, you just want a quiet room where people can share stories about the time the deceased got their truck stuck in the mud back in '94.
The facility itself is a converted residence, which helps. It doesn't feel like a warehouse. It feels like a home. That’s intentional. When you walk into the Mill Street location, the layout is designed for flow—meaning you aren't tripping over people while trying to get to the register book.
The Logistics of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk about the hard stuff. Money. Services. Paperwork.
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Roberts Funeral Home handles the gamut. You’ve got your traditional burials, which are still very common in this part of Ohio. They coordinate with local cemeteries like New Lexington Cemetery or Maplewood. But they also handle cremations, which have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years because, let’s be real, funerals are expensive.
If you're planning ahead—which, by the way, is a massive gift to your kids—they do pre-planning. It’s awkward to sit down and pick out your own urn. It feels "final." But doing it at Roberts means your family isn't guessing if you wanted "Amazing Grace" or "Free Bird" played during the slideshow.
They also manage the obituary process. Nowadays, that’s more than just a blurb in the Perry County Tribune. It’s a digital footprint. Their website serves as a hub where people from out of town can leave "tributes" or order flowers. It’s a small touch, but when your cousin in California can’t make the drive, seeing their name on a digital wall actually matters.
Navigating the Grief in Perry County
New Lexington is a tight community. When someone passes, the visitation at Roberts Funeral Home New Lexington Ohio often turns into a makeshift town hall. You'll see people you haven't talked to since high school. You’ll eat way too many cookies brought by the local church ladies.
The staff there—currently led by the Roberts family and their dedicated team—understand this social dynamic. They aren't just directors; they're stage managers for the most difficult day of your life. They handle the veterans' honors, which is a big deal around here. If your loved one served, they coordinate with the VFW or American Legion to make sure that flag folding and the playing of Taps happens exactly right. No glitches. No delays.
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What People Get Wrong About Funeral Planning
Most people think you just show up, pick a casket, and leave. It’s never that simple.
There are "vaults" to consider. There are "opening and closing" fees at the cemetery that have nothing to do with the funeral home’s bill. There’s the death certificate process, which is a whole bureaucratic nightmare that Roberts usually navigates for you. If you don't get enough certified copies of that certificate, you can't close bank accounts or flip the deed to the house. It's those tiny, annoying details that usually break people down, not the big stuff.
Practical Steps When a Death Occurs
If you are reading this because you’re in the middle of a crisis, take a breath. It's okay.
First, call the home. They are available 24/7. Even if it's 3:00 AM on a Tuesday, someone answers. They will arrange for the "transfer" of your loved one from the hospital, nursing home, or residence.
Second, find the paperwork. You’ll need a Social Security number, any military discharge papers (DD-214), and a recent photo for the hair and makeup staff (if you're doing a viewing).
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Third, don't feel pressured. You don't have to buy the most expensive package to show you loved someone. A meaningful service is about the stories told, not the thickness of the casket's steel. Roberts is generally known for being pretty straight-up about costs. Ask for the General Price List (GPL). It’s a federal law that they have to give it to you. It breaks down every single charge so you aren't surprised when the final invoice hits.
Personalizing the Experience
One thing I've noticed about the way Roberts operates is their willingness to let families get creative. I’ve seen visitations there where a tractor was parked outside, or where the deceased’s favorite quilting projects were draped over every chair. They don't force you into a cookie-cutter "solemn" box. If the person was loud and loved Harley-Davidsons, the service should reflect that.
They also help with "Life Tributes." This is basically a fancy way of saying they help you put together a video or a display that doesn't look like it was made in 1995. It’s those visual cues that help the grandkids understand who the person really was.
Realities of Modern Funerals
The industry is changing. Green burials are becoming a thing, though they're still niche in Perry County. Direct cremation—where there’s no viewing and no service—is also on the rise.
If you’re leaning toward something non-traditional, just ask. The folks at Roberts have seen it all. They know how to balance the wishes of a younger generation who might want a "celebration of life" at a local park with the expectations of an older generation who wants a formal church service at St. Rose or the First United Methodist.
Actionable Insights for Perry County Families
- Request the General Price List early. Knowing the "itemized" costs prevents emotional overspending during the fog of early grief.
- Designate a "point person." If you are the spouse or the child, you’re too close to it. Let a level-headed niece or a family friend handle the back-and-forth calls with the director.
- Check for insurance policies. Many people have small "burial policies" tucked away in a drawer that they forgot to tell anyone about. Look for these before you sign the contract.
- Write the obituary together. Sit down with a bottle of wine or a pot of coffee and write the story of their life. Don't just list dates. Tell the story about the time they burnt the Thanksgiving turkey. Those are the details people remember at Roberts.
- Utilize the online guestbook. It stays up long after the flowers have died. It’s a great place to go back to a year later when the grief hits again.
The truth is, no one wants to need a funeral home. But if you're in New Lexington, Roberts provides a bridge between the life that was lived and the "new normal" the rest of us have to figure out. They handle the body so you can handle the emotions. That’s the real value of a local institution.
For those ready to move forward, your next step is simply to gather the vital statistics—birth date, parents' names, and occupation—to ensure the legal records are started correctly. Everything else can be decided one hour at a time.