Walk down East Boulevard in Dilworth and you'll eventually hit a building that looks more like a grand old cathedral than a business. It’s a landmark. Hankins & Whittington Charlotte NC has occupied this space since the early sixties, but the story actually kicks off way back in 1946. Irvin W. Hankins and James B. Whittington weren't just business partners; they were veterans returning from World War II with a specific vision for how to treat people at their lowest points. Honestly, the place has a vibe you don't find much in modern Charlotte anymore.
People often get confused about what makes this spot different from the dozens of other funeral homes popping up in the suburbs. It’s the chapel. Most funeral homes are basically converted houses or sterile office-style buildings. This one? It was originally St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, built in 1930. When you walk in, you see the vaulted ceilings and the stained glass, and it hits you that this isn't just a transaction. It’s a piece of the city's history.
Why Everyone Talks About the Dilworth Location
The move to 1111 East Boulevard in 1963 was a gamble that paid off. At the time, Dilworth was changing, and the owners saw an opportunity to turn a historic church into a sanctuary for grieving families. It's kinda interesting because it remains one of the few funeral homes in the area that actually feels like a place of worship regardless of your background.
You've got these massive brick walls and a fireplace in the lobby that makes the whole experience feel less like a hospital waiting room and more like a library.
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The staff there, like Kristina Sloan, have built up a reputation for being remarkably flexible. I’ve seen reviews where families mention they needed to move a loved one to a completely different city for burial, and the team just handled the logistics without a hitch. That’s the kind of stuff that matters when you’re too tired to even think about a grocery list, let alone interstate transport permits.
Breaking Down the Costs (No Fluff)
Let's be real for a second: funerals are expensive. It sucks, but it’s the truth. Most people are afraid to ask about prices because it feels disrespectful, but Hankins & Whittington is actually pretty transparent about it.
Based on current 2026 data, a traditional full-service burial here typically starts around $8,950. If you’re looking at cremation, a full service is roughly $6,640, while a direct cremation—which is basically the bare bones, no-ceremony option—is about $1,800. These aren't the cheapest prices in North Carolina, but they aren't the highest either. You're paying for the setting and the fact that they don't try to "upsell" you into a copper-lined casket you don't need.
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- Traditional Burial: $8,950+
- Full Service Cremation: $6,640
- Affordable Burial Option: $6,485
- Direct Cremation: $1,800
One thing to keep in mind is that they offer a "multi-sensory experience." That sounds like marketing speak, but it's basically a fancy way of saying they have high-end audio and video tech integrated into the historic chapel so you can play tribute videos that actually look and sound good.
The Veterans Legacy
Because the founders were WWII vets, there is a massive emphasis on veteran services. They know the paperwork. If you've ever dealt with the VA, you know it's a nightmare. Having a funeral director who knows exactly which forms to file for military honors or a flag presentation is a godsend. They take it personally.
Common Misconceptions About the Firm
Sometimes people think because it's in a historic church, it's only for "old Charlotte" families or specific denominations. Not true. It’s actually non-denominational now. They’ve hosted everything from strictly secular celebrations of life to very traditional religious rites.
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Another thing? People often mistake them for the law firm Hankin & Pack. It happens all the time in Google searches. If you’re looking for a real estate closing, you’re in the wrong place. If you’re looking for a place to honor a life, you’re at 1111 East Boulevard.
Planning Ahead Without the Weirdness
Most of us avoid "advanced planning" because, well, talking about our own death is awkward. But honestly, the folks at Hankins & Whittington push for it mostly to save the family from making $10,000 decisions while they’re crying in a conference room. You can lock in today's prices, which, given how inflation has been lately, is a smart move.
They have a 24/7 answering service. If something happens at 3:00 AM, a human actually picks up. That’s becoming rarer as big corporations buy up local funeral homes and centralize their call centers in different time zones.
What to Do If You're Starting the Process
If you find yourself needing to call them, don't feel like you need to have everything figured out. Most people don't.
- Call the main line at (704) 333-6116. They’ll walk you through the immediate "first call" steps.
- Gather the basics. You’ll need the person’s social security number and basic biographical info for the death certificate.
- Visit the space. Don't just book over the phone. Go see the chapel. The light coming through the stained glass in the afternoon is something you have to see to understand why people choose this place.
The reality is that Hankins & Whittington Charlotte NC has survived since the 40s because they realized early on that they aren't in the "death business"—they're in the hospitality business for people who are hurting. Whether you want a big production in that historic chapel or just a quiet, private goodbye, they seem to get that every family has a different "right" way to do it.
To get started, your best bet is to request a General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to give this to you. It lets you see every single fee—from the hearse to the dressing of the remains—so you can build a service that fits your actual budget without any surprises when the final bill arrives. Reach out to their East Boulevard office to have one sent over or to schedule a walkthrough of the Dilworth chapel.