When you drive through Globe, Arizona, you can feel the weight of the history. It's in the copper dust, the old brick facades, and the quiet dignity of the Gila County hills. Right in the heart of this landscape, on North Broad Street, sits a place that basically everyone in town knows by name. Lamont Mortuary. It’s more than just a business; it’s a fixture of the community that has been around long enough to see the town change from a booming mining hub to the eclectic, tight-knit mountain town it is today.
People don't usually like talking about funeral homes. It's heavy. But in a place like Globe, where families have lived for generations, the folks at Lamont are often treated more like neighbors or old family friends than service providers. Honestly, when someone passes away in a small town, you don't just want a "provider." You want someone who knows your uncle’s name and remembers your grandmother’s favorite flowers.
The History of Lamont Mortuary in Globe
The story isn't some corporate takeover. It's deeply local. Lamont Mortuary has been serving the Copper Corridor since the 1930s. Think about that for a second. They’ve been through the Great Depression, the height of the Old Dominion Mine's influence, and the modern shifts in the Arizona economy. This isn't one of those massive, nameless funeral conglomerates that bought up all the mom-and-pop shops in the 90s. While many funeral homes across the U.S. have been swallowed by Service Corporation International (SCI) or similar giants, Lamont has maintained that specific, local identity that Globe residents demand.
Family owned? Mostly. Community focused? Absolutely. The current leadership, including licensed funeral directors who live and breathe Gila County life, understands that a funeral in Globe isn't the same as a funeral in Phoenix. There’s a different pace here. There’s a different set of expectations.
What Really Happens Behind the Scenes
Most people think a mortuary is just a building with a chapel. That’s wrong. It’s a logistical powerhouse that handles things you never want to think about during your darkest week.
At Lamont Mortuary, they handle the "full stack" of end-of-life care. This includes:
- Professional Embalming and Preparation: This is an art form most people ignore until they see a loved one for the last time. The goal is peace.
- Cremation Services: As preferences shift toward cremation (which is a massive trend across Arizona), Lamont has adapted. They don't just "ship it out"; they manage the process with the same level of oversight as a traditional burial.
- The Paperwork Nightmare: You’ve got death certificates, Social Security notifications, and veteran benefits. If you miss a deadline on a VA burial benefit, it’s a mess. The staff here basically acts as a legal concierge for grieving families.
The chapel itself is a piece of Globe history. It’s quiet. It smells of floor wax and lilies. For some, that’s intimidating. For others, it’s the only place that feels "right" for a goodbye.
Why Small Town Mortuaries are Disappearing (And Why Lamont Stays)
It's tough out there. Honestly, the funeral industry is getting squeezed. Labor costs are up. The price of high-quality caskets has skyrocketed due to supply chain hiccups in the last few years. Many small-town mortuaries in rural Arizona have folded because they couldn't keep up with the digital demands of modern families or the sheer cost of keeping a facility up to code.
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So, why does Lamont Mortuary survive?
Trust. It sounds like a cliché, but in Globe, your reputation is everything. If you mess up a service for a prominent mining family, the whole town hears about it at the grocery store the next morning. Lamont has survived by being consistent. They aren't trying to be "disruptors" in the death care space. They aren't launching apps or using AI to write obituaries. They are doing the work by hand, face-to-face.
Traditional Burials vs. The Rise of Cremation in Gila County
The "death care" landscape in Globe is changing. Twenty years ago, a traditional casket burial at the Globe Cemetery or Valley View was the standard. No questions asked.
Today? It's a mix. Roughly 50-60% of families in the region are opting for cremation. This isn't just about the money, though cost is a huge factor. A traditional funeral can easily run $8,000 to $12,000. A simple cremation is significantly less. Lamont has had to balance this. They provide the high-end, silver-handle casket services for those who want the "grand" send-off, but they also offer dignified, simple cremations that don't make families feel like they’re being cheap.
It's a delicate balance. You don't want to "upsell" someone who just lost their spouse. That’s where the "big city" funeral homes get a bad rap. At Lamont, the vibe is much more about "What do you actually need?" versus "How much can we charge you?"
The Specifics: Location and Accessibility
You can find them at 328 S Hill St, Globe, AZ 85501. It's easy to find, but parking can be a bit of a squeeze during a large service. That’s just the nature of historic Globe. The building is accessible, which is vital because, let’s be real, a lot of the people attending these services are older.
They also work closely with the local veteran organizations. Globe has a deep military history. If you’re a vet, Lamont knows the drill. They coordinate with the National Cemeteries and ensure the folding of the flag and the playing of Taps isn't just a footnote—it's the centerpiece.
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Dealing with the Grief: More Than Just a Service
One thing people get wrong about Lamont Mortuary is thinking that once the body is in the ground or the urn is handed over, the job is done. It isn't. The staff often helps point families toward local grief support groups or helps navigate the "what now?" phase of losing a breadwinner.
In a small town, you see these people at the high school football games or at the local diner. There is an accountability there that you just don't get in a metro area.
Planning Ahead: The Pre-Need Conversation
Nobody wants to sit down on a Tuesday afternoon and pick out their own casket. It’s morbid. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also one of the kindest things you can do for your kids.
Lamont offers "Pre-Need" planning. Basically, you lock in today’s prices for a service that might not happen for 30 years. Given how inflation has hit the funeral industry (casket prices have nearly doubled in some regions over the last decade), this is actually a savvy financial move. It's not about being "ready to die"; it's about making sure your family doesn't have to argue about whether you wanted "Amazing Grace" or "The Old Rugged Cross" while they're reeling from shock.
Common Misconceptions About Lamont Mortuary
Wait. People think they "own" the cemeteries. They don't. Lamont works with the city-managed cemeteries, but they are separate entities.
Another big one? People think you have to be embalmed. In Arizona, embalming isn't actually required by law for the first 24 hours, or if the body is refrigerated. Lamont is pretty transparent about this. If you’re doing a direct cremation, you don't need the expensive chemicals. They’ll tell you that. That honesty is why they’ve been around since the FDR era.
How to Navigate the Process
If you find yourself needing to call Lamont, here is the reality of what to expect.
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First, the "first call." They will come to the house, the hospital, or the hospice facility. It doesn't matter if it's 3:00 AM on a Sunday. Someone answers the phone.
Second, the arrangement conference. This is where the decisions happen. You’ll sit in an office that feels a bit like a time capsule—wood grain, soft lighting—and talk through the options.
Third, the service. Whether it's a graveside service with a view of the Pinal Mountains or a quiet gathering in their chapel, they handle the flowers, the music, and the programs.
Actionable Steps for Families in Globe
Don't wait for a crisis. If you live in Globe or Miami, Arizona, and you have aging parents, just go in and grab a brochure.
- Check Your Documents: Make sure your loved ones have their discharge papers (DD-214) if they were in the military. Lamont needs those to get you the free headstone and burial honors.
- Define the Budget: Be honest with the director. Tell them, "I have $5,000 total." They will work with that. There is no shame in a budget.
- Write the Obituary Early: Honestly, trying to remember the names of all the great-grandchildren while you’re crying is impossible. Write the basics down now.
- Consider the "Celebration of Life" Angle: It doesn't have to be a dark, somber affair. More families in Globe are choosing to have a "party" at a local park or community center after the formal service. Lamont can help facilitate the transition from the "funeral" to the "celebration."
The reality of death is that it's the one thing we all have in common. In a town like Globe, Lamont Mortuary is the bridge between the life lived and the memory left behind. They’ve seen the town through its highs and lows, and they’ll likely be there for the next 90 years, quietly doing the work that nobody wants to do, but everyone eventually needs.
If you're looking for their contact info, they're active on local directories and have a straightforward website that lists recent obituaries. That’s usually where the town goes first when they hear the sirens or see the flags at half-mast. It’s the community’s digital bulletin board for saying goodbye.
Stay informed, plan ahead, and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions about costs and options. The folks at Lamont have heard them all before. There's nothing you can throw at them that they haven't handled with grace a thousand times already.
Essential Contact Checklist
- Physical Address: 328 S Hill St, Globe, AZ 85501.
- Phone: Keep their number in your "In Case of Emergency" folder.
- Documentation: Have your life insurance policy numbers ready; Lamont can often help process the claim to cover the funeral costs directly.
- Digital Legacy: Decide now what happens to your Facebook or Instagram. The mortuary doesn't handle that, but it's a huge part of modern "final arrangements."
The legacy of a place like Lamont isn't in the bricks of the building, but in the relief on a widow's face when she realizes she doesn't have to handle the logistics alone. That's the value of a local institution. In a world of "disruption" and "automation," some things—like saying goodbye—still require a human touch.