Death is awkward. There, I said it. Most people spend their entire lives avoiding the topic until they’re standing in a quiet room with a box of tissues, trying to figure out if Uncle Bob wanted "Amazing Grace" or something by Elvis. When you start looking into Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch, you aren’t just looking for a building with nice carpet. You’re looking for a way through the fog. Honestly, the funeral industry has a reputation for being stiff, expensive, and a little bit spooky, but the scene in North Mississippi, specifically around Goodman Road, feels a bit more personal than that.
Coleman Funeral Home isn't some massive, faceless conglomerate. It started with a pretty simple idea in Oxford, Mississippi, back in 2004, and eventually, that philosophy made its way up to Olive Branch. The founders, Billy and Mary Margaret Coleman, basically wanted to strip away the "used car salesman" vibe that sometimes haunts the death care industry. They focused on what they call "unprecedented service," which sounds like marketing fluff, but in the context of grief, it actually means not getting charged for every single phone call or extra chair.
What Actually Happens at Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch?
People usually end up here during the worst week of their lives. It sucks. But knowing the mechanics of how this specific location operates can take some of the "what now?" out of the equation. Located at 6815 Parkview Blvd, right near the heart of Olive Branch’s commercial hub, the facility is designed to look more like a high-end lodge than a Victorian haunted house. This is intentional. The heavy drapes and dark wood of the 1950s have been replaced with open spaces and stone fireplaces.
They handle the standard stuff—traditional burials, cremations, and memorial services. But there’s a shift happening. More families in DeSoto County are leaning toward "celebrations of life" rather than somber funerals. Coleman has leaned into this. They have a massive community room where people actually eat and talk, rather than just sitting in pews staring at the back of someone’s head.
The Cremation Question
Cremation rates are skyrocketing. Locally, and nationally, the numbers are hovering well over 50%. Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch has been proactive about this, offering on-site cremation services in some capacities through their network, which is a big deal for transparency. If you've ever worried about "is that actually my loved one's ashes?" having a provider that owns their own equipment is the only real way to get peace of mind. They offer "witness cremation" too. It’s not for everyone. Some find it morbid, but for others, being there until the very end is a necessary part of the goodbye.
The Cost Factor
Let's talk money because that's what everyone Googles but nobody wants to ask about during a viewing. A traditional funeral in the US can easily clip $10,000 to $12,000 once you factor in the casket, the vault, and the "professional service fees" that seem to appear out of nowhere. Coleman tends to position themselves as a mid-tier to premium provider that focuses on "all-inclusive" pricing models. They try to avoid the a-la-carte trap where you feel like you're being upsold on a better liner for a grave vault.
Why Olive Branch? The Local Connection
Olive Branch isn't just a suburb of Memphis anymore. It’s a city with its own pulse. The people who use Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch are often multi-generational families from Southaven, Hernando, and Lewisburg. There’s a specific "DeSoto County" way of doing things—a mix of Southern tradition and modern efficiency.
The staff here, like Glenn Freeman and the rest of the team, are locals. That matters. When you’re choosing a funeral home, you aren’t just buying a service; you’re trusting someone with your family’s legacy. It’s the difference between a technician and a neighbor. You might see these people at the Kroger on Goodman Road or at a high school football game on Friday night. That accountability keeps the service level high because, frankly, you can't hide a bad reputation in a town like this.
The "Pet" Factor
Here is something weirdly cool: Coleman was one of the first in the area to really embrace the fact that pets are family. They have a dedicated "Coleman Pet Services" division. It sounds niche until your dog of 15 years passes away and you realize you don't want to just "dispose" of them. They offer cremations and urns for pets with the same level of dignity they give humans. It’s a small detail that tells you a lot about their culture.
Navigating the Paperwork Nightmare
When someone dies, the sheer amount of bureaucracy is offensive. You’re grieving, and the government wants forms. Coleman's staff basically acts as a buffer here. They handle:
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- Obtaining the death certificate (usually takes 7-10 days in Mississippi).
- Notifying Social Security.
- Working with the VA if the deceased was a veteran.
- Life insurance claim filing.
Most people don't realize that if you don't notify Social Security immediately, you might have to pay back funds that were deposited after the date of death. It’s a huge headache that the funeral directors here usually just handle as part of the package.
The Veteran’s Honor
Olive Branch has a massive veteran population. Coleman is particularly adept at coordinating with the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery or the various national cemeteries. They know the drill—the flag folding, the Taps, the honor guard. It’s a logistical dance that they do for free for the families of those who served.
Pre-Planning: The Gift or the Curse?
You've probably seen the commercials or gotten the mailers. "Pre-plan your funeral today!" It feels like a scam, but it’s actually the kindest thing you can do for your kids. At Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch, they use a system that allows you to lock in today’s prices.
Inflation is a monster. A funeral that costs $8,000 today might cost $14,000 in twenty years. By pre-paying, you basically freeze the cost. But even if you don't pay a dime, just having your "wishes" on file—knowing you want to be cremated and you want your ashes scattered at Enid Lake—saves your family from having an argument in the middle of a lobby.
Misconceptions About Pre-Arrangement
- "The money goes into the funeral home's pocket." False. In Mississippi, funeral funds are usually placed in a trust or a specialized insurance policy. The funeral home doesn't touch it until the service is performed.
- "I can't change my mind." You can. If you move to Florida, you can usually transfer your plan.
- "It’s too depressing." It’s actually a relief. Once it’s done, you never have to think about it again.
What Most People Get Wrong About Funerals
There's this myth that you have to be embalmed. You don't. Unless there is a public viewing or certain transport requirements, embalming isn't usually a legal necessity in Mississippi. Coleman is pretty open about these options. If you want a "green burial" or a direct cremation with no fuss, they'll do it. They don't make you feel like a cheapskate for wanting something simple.
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Another thing? The casket. You can actually buy a casket from Amazon or Walmart and the funeral home has to accept it by law (The Funeral Rule). Now, does Coleman want you to do that? Probably not. But the fact that they are transparent about your rights under the Federal Trade Commission’s rules is a mark of a good business.
Actionable Steps for Families in DeSoto County
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to be a responsible adult and get your ducks in a row, here is exactly what you need to do. Don't overcomplicate it.
Step 1: Locate the Vital Info. You need the Social Security number, the parents' names (including mother's maiden name), and the place of birth. You’d be surprised how many people don't know their mother's maiden name when they're under stress.
Step 2: Check for a DD-214. If your loved one was in the military, find those discharge papers. This is the golden ticket to burial benefits and a military honors ceremony. Keep it in a safe, or better yet, give a copy to the funeral home now.
Step 3: Schedule a "Coffee and Conversation." Instead of a high-pressure sales meeting, just go sit in the lobby at Coleman. Look at the space. See if the vibe fits your family. Ask them for their General Price List (GPL). They are legally required to give it to you.
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Step 4: Think About the Digital Afterlife. In 2026, we all have digital footprints. Coleman can help with "Tribute Walls," but they can't unlock an iPhone. Make sure your family has your passwords or that you've set up a "Legacy Contact" on your Apple or Google account.
Step 5: Focus on the Living. The funeral is for the people left behind. If a traditional service feels like a lie because the deceased was a wild, fun-loving person, don't do it. Use the community room at the Olive Branch location to host a lunch, play the music they actually liked, and tell the stories that actually matter.
The reality is that Coleman Funeral Home Olive Branch is a tool. How you use it depends on the life you're trying to honor. Death is the end of a story, but the funeral is the final edit. Make sure it's a good one.
When you're ready to look at specifics, start by browsing their online obituaries. It gives you a sense of how they tell stories. Every person is different. Every service should be, too. If you’re in the North Mississippi area, this is one of the few places where the staff understands that "professionalism" doesn't have to mean "cold." It just means being the person who knows what to do when no one else does.