When you drive down West Seventh Street in Columbia, it’s hard to miss the massive, stately building that houses Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home Columbia TN. It has that classic Middle Tennessee look—white columns, impeccably manicured lawn, and a sense of permanent quiet. Most people in Maury County know it as "the place on the hill" or just the spot where they’ve said goodbye to their grandparents. But there’s a lot more to this place than just being a landmark. Honestly, after 170 years, it’s basically woven into the DNA of the town itself.
It’s easy to assume every funeral home is the same. You think: caskets, flowers, a somber director in a dark suit. But Oakes & Nichols has a history that reads more like a local epic than a business ledger.
Why Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home Columbia TN Still Matters
Most businesses in Columbia don't last twenty years, let alone since before the Civil War. This firm was actually established way back in 1856 by a guy named A. Barr. Think about that for a second. When this place started, James K. Polk’s influence was still fresh in the air, and "motor-driven coaches" were something out of a sci-fi novel.
Barr ran the show for fifty years, only taking a break to serve in the Confederate Army. Talk about continuity. Eventually, John Oakes joined in, then Robert Nichols came along in 1900. They weren't just guys with a building; they were the first in the region to bring in air conditioning and motorized hearses. Back then, that was revolutionary. It’s kinda strange to think of a funeral home as a tech pioneer, but they were the early adopters of their day.
The current spot on West Seventh isn't just a random building, either. In 1949, they bought the home of U.S. Senator Edward Ward Carmack. If you’re a history buff, you know Carmack was a massive figure in Tennessee politics whose life ended in a famous shootout in Nashville. The fact that the funeral home operates out of his former estate adds a layer of gravity you just don't get with modern, "cookie-cutter" mortuaries.
The Sowell Family Legacy
While the names on the sign are Oakes and Nichols, the heart of the operation for the last several decades has been the Sowell family. Frank F. Sowell entered the picture in the late 40s. He eventually became the sole owner in 1967.
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Today, his children, Tony and Bunny Sowell, keep the wheels turning.
You’ve probably seen them around town. They grew up in this business. It’s not just a job for them; it’s a multi-generational calling. They’ve seen the industry change from the old "livery stable" days to the digital age of livestreaming services for relatives who can't fly into BNA.
What Really Happens Behind Those White Columns
If you've never had to plan a service, the process feels like a black box. People usually show up at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home Columbia TN when they are at their absolute lowest. The staff's job is basically to be the calmest people in the room.
They handle the heavy lifting that no one wants to think about:
- Legal stuff: Getting the death certificate signed (which has to happen before anything else).
- The "First Call": Transporting the deceased from a home or Maury Regional Medical Center.
- The Logistics: Coordinating with local cemeteries like Polk Memorial Gardens or Rose Hill.
One thing that people get wrong is thinking they only do "traditional" funerals. Sure, they are the kings of the formal, southern chapel service. But they’ve leaned hard into cremation and "life celebrations" lately. They even have "life celebrants" now. These aren't necessarily clergy; they are people trained to tell a person's story even if the family isn't particularly religious.
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Personalization is the New Standard
Gone are the days when every funeral looked identical. I’ve heard of services there that featured everything from classic cars parked out front to displays of a person’s prize-winning quilts.
They do this thing called "Talk of a Lifetime." It’s basically a program to get people to share their stories before they pass away. It sounds a bit morbid, but it actually makes the eventual service way more authentic. Instead of a generic eulogy, you get the actual "greatest hits" of that person's life.
The Cost Question Nobody Wants to Ask
Let’s be real: funerals are expensive. It’s one of the biggest purchases a family makes, often during a week when they can barely function.
Oakes & Nichols isn't the "budget" option in town, but they aren't trying to be. You’re paying for the facility and the 170 years of experience. Based on recent industry data for the Middle Tennessee area, a full traditional burial service can easily range between $7,000 and $10,000 once you factor in the casket and vault. Cremation is significantly less, often starting around $2,000 to $3,000 for basic options, though a full "service with cremation" sits somewhere in the middle.
They are pretty transparent about it, though. They offer a pre-planning checklist that lets you lock in prices. If you pay now, your family isn't stuck with the bill in 2040 when inflation has turned a casket into the price of a small SUV.
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Dealing with Grief in Maury County
One thing Oakes and Nichols does that most people don't realize is their "aftercare." They don't just hand you a flag or a bill and wish you luck.
They have a program where they send daily grief support emails for a full year. It’s a small thing, but for someone sitting in a quiet house three months after the funeral, it can be a lifeline. They also have specific resources for children. Grief is weird; it doesn't hit everyone the same way, and the Sowells seem to get that.
A Few Things You Might Not Know
- The Parking Lot History: The lot where you park your car used to be the site of James K. Polk’s Columbia home. It was unfortunately razed in the 60s.
- The Ambulance Days: Before cities had dedicated EMS, Oakes & Nichols actually ran the local ambulance service. Most old-school funeral homes did.
- State Leadership: Members of the staff have served on the Tennessee State Regulatory Board. They literally help write the rules for how funerals are handled in the state.
What You Should Actually Do Next
If you’re currently dealing with a loss, or if you’re just trying to be a "responsible adult" and look into the future, don't just browse their website.
- Download the Checklist: They have a specific pre-planning checklist on their site. Fill it out. Even if you don't prepay, having your "wishes" written down saves your family from guessing if you wanted "Amazing Grace" or "Free Bird."
- Tour the Place: It sounds weird, but you can just ask to see the facilities. It’s less intimidating when you aren't there for a wake.
- Check the Obituaries Regularly: Their website is the "town square" for Columbia news. If you want to know who passed, that’s where the most accurate info is, usually updated daily.
The reality of Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home Columbia TN is that it’s a bridge between the old Columbia and the new one. It’s a place that has seen the town through the Civil War, world wars, and the current suburban boom. Whether you need them today or twenty years from now, they’re part of the local landscape for a reason.