When you drive down Douglas Boulevard in Fulton, you’ll pass a building that’s been a quiet anchor for this community for a long, long time. We're talking about Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton Missouri. Honestly, most people don't think about funeral homes until they absolutely have to. It's one of those things we tuck away in the back of our minds. But in a town like Fulton, where history isn't just in the books but in the very bricks of the buildings, Maupin is more than just a service provider. It’s basically a local institution that has survived everything from the Great Depression to a global pandemic.
The Furniture Store Roots You Probably Didn't Know About
Here is a weird bit of trivia: many of the oldest funeral homes in the Midwest didn't start as funeral homes. They started as furniture stores. Why? Because furniture makers had the wood, the tools, and the skills to build coffins. Maupin Funeral Home fits right into that narrative.
It all kicked off back in 1919. Hughes Maupin and his son, Glen Y. Maupin, opened up shop in Auxvasse. They were working out of a furniture store there. Think about that for a second. You’d go in to buy a kitchen table and, in the back room, they’d be preparing for the town’s next farewell. It sounds a bit morbid to us now, but back then, it was just practical.
They eventually moved to Mokane in the 30s before Glen finally set down permanent roots in Fulton during the 1940s. He brought his sons, Gene C. “Jeep” Maupin and Tom Maupin, into the fold. This wasn't just a job for them; it was the family legacy. They’ve been at it for over a century now. That’s a lot of hand-shaking and a lot of quiet conversations in hallways.
Why Local Reputation Still Matters in 2026
In an era where big corporations are buying up family-owned businesses left and right, Maupin has managed to keep that personal, "we-know-your-neighbor" feel. You’ve probably seen the name on local event sponsorships or at the Fulton Independence Day Parade—which, by the way, Tom Maupin was instrumental in reviving back in 2012.
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When you lose someone, the last thing you want is a corporate script. You want someone who knows which church you belong to or which cemetery your grandfather is buried in.
The Services They Actually Provide
It’s not just about the big wooden boxes anymore. People’s wishes have changed wildly over the last decade.
- Traditional Burials: Still the go-to for many Callaway County families who want that classic service at the chapel.
- Cremation Trends: More people are choosing cremation now, and Maupin handles everything from the viewing before the process to memorial services after.
- The Paperwork Nightmare: One of the most underrated things they do is the "admin" stuff. Notifying Social Security, filing insurance forms—honestly, who wants to do that when they're grieving?
- Pre-Planning: This is the big one. People are finally realizing that picking out your own service while you’re still healthy is a massive gift to your kids.
The "Jeep" and Tom Legacy
You can't talk about Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton Missouri without mentioning "Jeep" and Tom. They were the face of the business for decades. Tom Maupin, specifically, was a guy who lived and breathed service. He was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, a VFW Commander, and a guy who just cared about Fulton.
When people like that run a funeral home, it stops being a "business" and starts being a community service. Tom passed away in 2018, but that culture of "compassionate care" is something the current staff tries to lean into every day.
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Navigating the Hard Stuff
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the cost. Funerals are expensive.
Federal law, specifically the FTC's "Funeral Rule," gives you rights that most people don't know they have. You have the right to get an itemized price list (the GPL) the second you ask about costs. You also have the right to buy a casket from a third party—yes, even online—and the funeral home has to use it without charging you a "handling fee."
Maupin has stayed competitive because they’ve had to. In a town the size of Fulton, if you start overcharging or being shady, everyone knows by dinner time. Word of mouth is the only marketing that really works in Callaway County.
What Most People Get Wrong About Funeral Homes
Many assume that once the service is over, the job is done. It's not.
There’s a lot of "aftercare" involved. Helping families find grief resources or just being a point of contact for the random questions that pop up three weeks later.
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Planning for the Future in Fulton
If you're looking into services at Maupin, or just trying to get your own ducks in a row, here’s the reality: don't wait for a crisis.
The smartest thing you can do is go in and just talk to them. You don't have to sign a contract or hand over a check on day one. Just get the information. Knowing the difference between a memorial service at their Douglas Blvd facility versus a graveside service at Callaway Memorial Gardens can save your family a lot of stress down the road.
Practical Next Steps for Callaway County Residents:
- Request a General Price List (GPL): Call or stop by 301 Douglas Blvd to get a current breakdown of costs so you aren't guessing.
- Check the Obituaries: If you're looking for a specific service time, their website is updated daily with local listings for Fulton and Auxvasse.
- Document Your Wishes: Even if you don't prepay, write down whether you want cremation or burial and keep it in a file your family can actually find.
- Inquire About Veterans Benefits: If you or your loved one served, ask specifically about military honors. The Maupin family has a long history of coordinating these.
The reality of Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton Missouri is that it's a bridge between the past and the present. It’s seen the town change, seen generations grow up, and eventually, it's where those generations are honored. It's a heavy job, but someone's gotta do it with a bit of dignity.