When you drive through Lincoln County, West Virginia, things feel personal. It's the kind of place where people know your grandmother’s maiden name and exactly which porch you grew up on. In a town like Hamlin, businesses aren't just storefronts; they are landmarks of local history. Koontz Funeral Home Hamlin sits right at the heart of that reality on Walnut Street.
Honestly, finding reliable info on small-town funeral homes can be a pain. Websites are often outdated, and big corporate directories mix up details. But when you’re dealing with loss, you don't want a "directory." You want to know who is actually behind the door.
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The Koontz Legacy in Lincoln County
For decades, the Koontz family has been the steady hand for families in Hamlin. It’s not just about the business of burials. It’s about the fact that Samuel "Sam" Koontz, who passed away in late 2023, was a second-generation owner who dedicated over 60 years of his life to this specific community.
Think about that for a second. Sixty-four years.
That means he likely buried great-grandparents, then their children, and then their children’s children. This level of generational continuity is rare. Nowadays, Jeremy Shane Koontz carries that mantle as the President and Director. He’s listed in the West Virginia Secretary of State records as the primary officer, keeping the lights on at 238 Walnut Street.
What to Expect from Koontz Funeral Home Hamlin
Let’s talk money and services. Nobody likes talking about funeral costs, but you've gotta know what you’re looking at. Most people expect a "one-size-fits-all" price, but it's rarely that simple.
Based on recent pricing data, a traditional full-service burial at Koontz usually hovers around the $8,230 mark. If you’re leaning toward cremation—which, let’s be real, most people are these days for budget reasons—a direct cremation starts closer to $2,195 to $2,495.
A Breakdown of Typical Costs:
- Basic Professional Services: About $1,995 (This covers the director’s time and overhead).
- Embalming: Usually around $695.
- Visitation/Viewing: Roughly $300.
- Hearse (Funeral Coach): Approximately $295.
It’s worth noting that these figures can shift depending on the casket choice or whether you want a full-blown ceremony at their facility. They are located at 238 Walnut St, Hamlin, WV 25523. You can reach them at (304) 824-3111.
Why Small-Town Service Hits Differently
There’s a specific vibe to a place like Koontz Funeral Home Hamlin. It’s not a sterile, corporate-owned conglomerate. When you walk in, you’re likely talking to someone who went to school with your cousins.
This matters because grief is messy.
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You don't want to be "Customer #402." You want someone who knows that Pauline Cutright or Rosa Browning Smith weren't just names on a ledger, but neighbors. Small-town funeral directors often act as unofficial historians. They remember the obituaries they wrote ten years ago. They know which flowers the family usually prefers.
Finding Recent Obituaries
If you’re looking for current services or trying to find a specific obituary from Koontz, your best bet isn't always their main site—it's often local publications. The Lincoln Journal and The Herald-Dispatch are the primary spots where these notices land.
Recently, the home has handled arrangements for community members like Pauline Mae Cutright (January 2026) and Jonathan Dale Frye. Because they are a smaller operation, they don't always have a massive digital archive, so searching via Legacy or the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's regional sections often yields the fastest results if you’re trying to find service times.
Planning Ahead: Actionable Steps
If you’re in the position of needing to coordinate with Koontz Funeral Home Hamlin, don't just wing it.
- Call First: Seriously. Don't just show up. Funeral directors are often out at cemeteries or coordinating services. A quick call to (304) 824-3111 ensures Jeremy or a staff member is actually there to talk.
- Ask for the GPL: That stands for General Price List. By law, they have to give this to you. It prevents "sticker shock" later on.
- Verify the Location: Hamlin is small, but if you're coming from out of town (like Huntington or Charleston), remember that GPS can sometimes get wonky in the hills. They are right near the intersection of Walnut and 3rd St.
- Gather Documents: Before your meeting, grab the Social Security number, birth certificate, and any military discharge papers (DD-214) if the deceased was a veteran. It saves hours of back-and-forth.
Ultimately, Koontz is a fixture of Lincoln County. It's a place where the history of the town is recorded, one service at a time. Whether you're there for a viewing or just looking up an old friend's service details, it represents a type of local business that is slowly disappearing in America—the family-run firm that actually stays in the family.