When you drive through the Rice Capital of the World, you see a lot of things that haven’t changed much in fifty years. The silos still tower over the horizon. The air still smells like damp earth and harvest. And sitting right there in the heart of Acadia Parish is Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley Louisiana, a place that’s seen more of this town’s history than almost any other building on the map.
Death is a weird thing to talk about. Honestly, most of us spend our lives avoiding the subject until it’s parked right on our doorstep. But in a small town like Crowley, a funeral home isn't just a business; it’s a vault for the community’s collective memory.
The Great Depression Gamble
It’s 1934. The country is absolutely reeling. People are out of work, and the last thing anyone wants to think about is starting a new venture. Yet, that’s exactly when Lloyd Geesey and A.M. "Bunny" Ferguson decided to leave Dallas and head east. They weren't looking for oil or rice; they were looking for a place to build burial vaults.
Imagine that for a second. Two guys driving into a new town during the worst economic collapse in history, basically betting their entire lives that they could provide a service people would trust. They opened the doors in January of ’34. It’s kinda wild to think about how much courage that took. They didn't just survive; they became the standard.
Why the Name Still Matters Today
You’ve probably seen the signs. Geesey-Ferguson. It’s a mouthful, sure, but in this part of the world, those names are synonymous with "doing it right." For decades, the Geesey family held the reins, with Roy Geesey eventually being named Funeral Director of the Year by the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association. That’s not a participation trophy. It’s a nod from peers who know exactly how hard this job is.
📖 Related: Dollar Against Saudi Riyal: Why the 3.75 Peg Refuses to Break
The ownership has shifted over the years, as these things do. Currently, Justin and Hollie Lee run the show. Justin has been at it since 1999, which, if you’re doing the math, is over a quarter-century. He’s a local guy, a Notre Dame High grad, and a former Crowley Kiwanis president. Basically, the person handling your hardest day is someone you’ve probably seen at the grocery store or a church fair.
What Geesey-Ferguson Actually Does (Beyond the Obvious)
Most people think a funeral home is just a place for a casket and some flowers. It’s way more complicated. And honestly, it's the small stuff that people get wrong.
- The Monument Division: They don't just "order a stone." They have a whole division dedicated to custom headstones and markers. We’re talking upright dies, flat bronze markers, and even specialty benches. They use sand-blasting and laser etching to put everything from sports icons to religious symbols on granite.
- GriefShare: This is a big one. They host weekly meetings—usually on Tuesday nights—at places like the Old Tyme Café. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a support group. They even have a program called "365 Days of Healing" that sends daily emails to people who are struggling.
- Digital Integration: This isn't your grandfather's funeral home. They use something called "Tribute eGuest," which is a digital guestbook. It sounds cold, but it actually helps families print address labels for thank-you cards later when they're too exhausted to think straight.
- Life Tribute Videos: They take your old shoeboxes of photos and turn them into professional films. It’s a staple now, but the way they sync the music and effects is what makes people stay through the whole viewing.
Real Talk: The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Nobody likes talking about the bill. But if we’re being real, transparency matters. In Crowley, like anywhere else, prices vary wildly based on what you choose.
A "direct cremation" might run you around $2,725, while a traditional burial starts with a basic service fee of roughly $1,995. Then you add the casket (average $1,500), the vault ($1,000), and the embalming ($930). By the time you add the hearse and the visitation fees, you're looking at a significant investment.
👉 See also: Cox Tech Support Business Needs: What Actually Happens When the Internet Quits
Is it expensive? Yeah. But you aren't just paying for a box. You’re paying for the "First Call"—the guys who show up at 3:00 AM when someone passes at home. You’re paying for the licensing, the specialized equipment, and the people who know how to navigate the nightmare of death certificates and VA benefits.
The Evolution of the "Crowley Way"
The building itself at 301 N. Ave F is more than just a facility. It has become a landmark. When Barbara Toon Geesey passed away at 97 back in 2021, the community didn't just send flowers; they shared stories about her playing golf and being a "viable" member of the First United Methodist Church.
That word—viable—stuck with me. It means she was an active, breathing part of the town’s machinery. And that’s how the funeral home operates. They aren't just there for the end; they're involved in the Rice Festival, the Chamber of Commerce, and local sports.
Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Most people think every funeral home is owned by some giant corporation in Houston or Cincinnati. Geesey-Ferguson is one of the ones that stayed local.
✨ Don't miss: Canada Tariffs on US Goods Before Trump: What Most People Get Wrong
- They have a second location in Iota. It’s smaller, but it serves the rural families who don’t want to drive all the way into Crowley.
- They offer "Immediate Burial." This is for families who want to skip the public viewing and ceremony entirely. The deceased is entombed or buried without a public gathering.
- Pre-planning is their biggest piece of advice. You can actually prepay into a trust fund. It stays there, earning interest to fight inflation, and it’s transferable. So, if you plan your funeral in Crowley but end up moving to Maine, the money follows you.
What to Do If You’re Responsible for Arrangements
If you find yourself in the position of calling Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley Louisiana, the first thing you need to do is breathe. Seriously.
The staff—guys like Tiger Istre or Mark Harris—usually start by asking for the basics. You’ll need the Social Security number, birth date, and any veteran discharge papers (DD-214). If you don't have those handy, don't panic. They’ve seen it all. They can help you track down what’s missing.
Actionable Insights for Families
If you are currently looking at options or trying to help a friend through a loss in the Acadia Parish area, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the "Obit Cards": Geesey-Ferguson is known for high-quality, personalized obituary cards. If you want something specific, ask to see their stationery themes. They have over 500.
- Inquire about GriefShare: Even if you didn't use them for the funeral, their grief support resources are often open to the community.
- The 24-Hour Rule: You don't have to make every decision in the first hour. The most important thing is the "transfer of remains." Once your loved one is in their care, you can take a night to sleep before you start picking out caskets and music.
At the end of the day, a place like Geesey-Ferguson exists because people need a bridge. They need a way to get from the "before" to the "after" when the world has stopped making sense. Whether it's a full-blown traditional service at St. Michael the Archangel or a quiet graveside gathering at Woodlawn Cemetery, they’ve been the ones holding the door open since the 1930s.
Next Steps for Planning
If you are looking to secure your own legacy or need to handle an immediate situation, your most effective move is to request a General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to provide this to you. It allows you to see the itemized costs of everything from the hearse to the memorial folders, ensuring you only pay for the services that actually matter to your family's specific needs.