When you're driving down East Laburnum Avenue in Richmond, the building stands out. It's not just another business. For a lot of families in the Westover Hills, Northside, and Henrico areas, March Funeral Home Laburnum Ave represents a specific kind of sanctuary during the worst week of their lives. Honestly, people don't usually search for a funeral home until they absolutely have to, and by then, the stress is through the roof. You're trying to figure out flowers, casket types, and how to write an obituary while your brain is basically mush from grief.
Death is expensive. It's also complicated.
Most folks in Richmond know the name "March," but there’s a distinct history there. The March family started their legacy in Baltimore back in 1957. William C. March and Julia Roberta March didn't just want to bury people; they wanted to provide a level of dignity that, frankly, wasn't always available to the African American community in the mid-20th century. When they expanded into Virginia, particularly the Laburnum location, they brought that "big chapel" energy with them. It’s a massive facility. We are talking about a place designed to handle huge crowds because, let's face it, some lives are too big for a tiny parlor.
The Reality of Planning at March Funeral Home Laburnum Ave
Planning a service here isn't like buying a car, though the paperwork might make you feel otherwise. One thing that genuinely surprises people is the sheer scale of the Laburnum chapel. It’s built for those high-capacity Richmond funerals where the church might be too small or the family wants everything under one roof.
You've got options. That's the main thing.
Some people want the traditional horse-drawn carriage—which is a bit of a signature for March—while others are looking for simple cremation. It’s a spectrum. If you walk into the Laburnum office, you’re going to see a lot of emphasis on "pre-need" planning. It sounds like a sales pitch, and technically it is, but from a practical standpoint, it’s about locking in today’s prices for a future event. Inflation hits the funeral industry just as hard as it hits the grocery store.
The Logistics of the East Laburnum Location
The location at 2110 E Laburnum Ave is strategically placed. It’s right near the Richmond Raceway, which is a blessing and a curse. If you are planning a viewing or a service on a race weekend, you better tell your guests to leave an hour early. Traffic becomes a nightmare.
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Inside, the layout is intentional.
They have these large viewing rooms that don't feel quite as claustrophobic as the older homes in the Fan or Church Hill. The parking lot is expansive. That sounds like a boring detail, doesn't it? But if you’ve ever been to a funeral in a cramped urban spot where you have to park three blocks away in the rain, you know that a big parking lot is actually a luxury.
What Sets the Laburnum Experience Apart?
People talk about the "March Way." It’s sort of a local shorthand for a specific type of professionalism. They are known for being very formal. The staff is usually in dark suits, moving with a kind of synchronized gravity. For some, this feels comforting—like someone is finally taking charge when everything else is falling apart. For others, it might feel a bit stiff. It really depends on what you need.
Let’s talk about the digital side of things.
Nowadays, March Funeral Home Laburnum Ave puts a lot of weight into their online obituaries. This is where the "Tribute Wall" comes in. It’s a place for people to post photos and memories. In the old days, you’d miss the guestbook if you didn't show up in person. Now, the digital footprint of the service stays live, which is a weirdly vital part of modern grieving.
Understanding the Costs and Packages
No one likes talking about the money, but we have to. A full traditional funeral at a high-end facility like this can easily run between $7,000 and $15,000 once you factor in the casket, the vault, the professional service fees, and the limo.
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- Professional Services: This is the base fee. You’re paying for the funeral director's time, the overhead of the building, and the handling of legal documents like death certificates.
- Embalming and Preparation: Not always legally required if you’re doing a direct cremation, but usually required for an open-carpet viewing.
- The Merchandise: This is where the bill climbs. Caskets vary from simple cloth-covered wood to heavy-gauge bronze.
March is transparent about their General Price List (GPL). By law—specifically the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule—they have to give you this list if you ask for it. Do not feel awkward asking for it. It is your right as a consumer.
Common Misconceptions About Richmond Funeral Services
A lot of people think that if they choose a big name like March, they can't customize the service. That’s just not true. You can bring in a jazz band. You can have a "revelation" style service. You can skip the religious elements entirely.
Another big myth? That you have to buy the casket from the funeral home.
You don't. You can literally buy a casket at Costco or online and have it shipped to Laburnum Ave. They cannot charge you a "handling fee" for this. It’s against federal law. Most people don't bother because of the logistics, but if you're on a tight budget, it's a legitimate path to saving a couple thousand dollars.
Why the "Family Owned" Label Matters
In an era where many funeral homes are being bought out by massive corporations like SCI (Service Corporation International), the March family has maintained independent ownership. This matters because decisions are made by people whose names are on the sign, not by a board of directors in a different time zone. If something goes wrong, you can usually get a human being on the phone who has the authority to fix it.
The Practical Steps You Should Take Right Now
If you are currently in the position of needing to use March Funeral Home Laburnum Ave, or any Richmond funeral home, don't rush the first twenty-four hours.
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First, locate the paperwork. You need the Social Security number, the birth certificate, and any military discharge papers (DD-214). If the deceased was a veteran, March is pretty good at coordinating with Quantico or other national cemeteries for honors.
Second, set a budget before you walk in the door. It is very easy to make emotional "upgrades" when you’re standing in a showroom full of velvet-lined caskets.
Third, think about the obituary. Don't just list dates. Write about what they loved. Did they make the best pound cake in Henrico? Put that in there. People want to read about a life, not just a timeline.
Final Thoughts on Navigating the Process
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is exhausting. The Laburnum location offers a lot of resources, including grief support contacts, but the heavy lifting of healing happens at home. Using a facility that understands the specific cultural and social fabric of Richmond makes a difference.
When you visit the Laburnum office, take a moment to look at the photos on the walls. There is a deep sense of history there that connects the present-day Richmond community to generations past.
Actionable Steps for Families:
- Request the General Price List (GPL): Review it in the quiet of your home before making any commitments.
- Verify Life Insurance: Ensure the policy is active and determine if it can be assigned directly to the funeral home to cover costs.
- Appoint a Point Person: Designate one family member to be the primary contact for the funeral director to avoid conflicting instructions and mounting stress.
- Check the Raceway Schedule: If the service is on a weekend, verify if there is an event at the Richmond Raceway to plan your procession route accordingly.
The process is never easy. But having a clear understanding of the logistics at the East Laburnum facility can at least remove some of the mystery from an already difficult time.