Losing someone is a blur. Honestly, the logistics are the last thing you want to think about when you're staring at an empty chair, but the clock starts ticking the second it happens. In Boyd County, people usually turn to a few names they've known for decades. One of those is Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland KY.
It’s located right on US Route 60. You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times without really looking. It’s that brick building with the white columns near the 13th Street Bridge area. It’s quiet. It’s local. But when you’re the one walking through those doors, "local" takes on a whole new meaning. You aren't just a client; you’re probably someone they’ve seen at the grocery store or a high school football game.
Dealing with the Immediate Reality at Preston Family Funeral Home
Death isn't tidy. When you call a place like Preston Family Funeral Home, you’re usually looking for two things: dignity and a lack of paperwork headaches. They handle the heavy lifting. This includes the transport of your loved one, getting the death certificates from the state of Kentucky, and coordinating with the local cemeteries like Rose Hill or Golden Oaks.
Price is usually the elephant in the room. Nobody wants to talk about money when they're grieving, but funerals are expensive. In the Ashland area, you're looking at a range. A direct cremation is obviously the most affordable route, often starting around $2,000 depending on the specific urn and transport needs. A full traditional burial? That’s a different story. Between the casket, the vault, the professional services, and the graveside tech, you can easily see bills climbing toward $8,000 or $10,000.
The Preston family—specifically founders like the late Gary Preston—built the reputation here on being "family-owned." Why does that matter? Because in the funeral industry, big corporations have been buying up local shops for years. When a place stays family-owned, they usually have more wiggle room on pricing and personal touches. They aren't answering to a board of directors in Houston or New York. They're answering to you.
The Services Nobody Thinks About Until Tuesday at 2 AM
Planning a service is basically event planning under the worst possible circumstances. You have to pick music. You have to find photos. You have to decide if you want an open casket.
✨ Don't miss: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
- Visitation: This is the "wake." It’s usually the night before the funeral. Preston has rooms designed to feel like a living room, not a hospital.
- The Funeral Service: This can be held at their chapel or your home church.
- Veteran Services: This is huge in Kentucky. If your loved one served, the team handles the military honors, the flag folding, and the "Taps" ceremony.
- Online Obituaries: They host a digital wall where people can post photos and memories. It sounds small, but for family in Ohio or West Virginia who can't make the drive, it’s a lifeline.
Why Location Matters in the Tri-State
Ashland is a hub. We sit right where Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia meet. This creates a weird legal knot sometimes. If someone passes away across the river in Ironton or over in Huntington, but they wanted to be handled by Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland KY, there are interstate transport laws to deal with.
The staff there knows these permits inside out. They handle the "cross-border" logistics so you aren't stuck calling state agencies while trying to write an obituary. They also have a deep connection to the local clergy. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Baptist preacher or a more secular celebrant, they have a Rolodex of names that have been working in the Tri-State for forty years.
The Cremation Shift
Twenty years ago, cremation was rare in Boyd County. Now? It’s almost 50% of the business. People choose it for two reasons: cost and flexibility.
If you choose cremation at Preston, you don't necessarily skip the service. You can still have a full visitation with the body present (using a rental casket) before the cremation happens. Or, you can do a memorial service weeks later when the whole family can actually fly in. They offer "keepsake" jewelry too—small pendants that hold a tiny bit of ashes. It’s not for everyone, but for some, it’s a huge comfort.
What People Get Wrong About Pre-Planning
Most people think pre-planning a funeral is morbid. It's actually the kindest thing you can do for your kids. I’ve seen families sit in the arrangement office at Preston, arguing over whether Mom wanted "Amazing Grace" or "The Old Rugged Cross." It’s stressful.
🔗 Read more: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
When you pre-plan at a place like Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland KY, you lock in today’s prices. Inflation hits the funeral industry just like it hits the gas pump. By paying now, you’re saving your family thousands of dollars later. Plus, your wishes are on paper. No guessing. No fighting.
- Call and set an appointment.
- Pick your "disposition" (burial or cremation).
- Choose your "merchandise" (casket or urn).
- Fund the plan through an insurance policy or a trust.
The Reality of Grief Support in Ashland
The funeral ends, the flowers die, and everyone goes back to work. That’s when the real weight hits. Preston doesn't just "drop" you after the check clears. They provide resources for local grief support groups.
Ashland has a few solid options, including groups through King’s Daughters Medical Center or local community churches. The funeral home staff can point you toward counselors who specialize in "complicated grief"—the kind that doesn't just go away after a few months.
Navigating the Social Security Maze
One of the most annoying parts of death is the bureaucracy. Did you know the Social Security death benefit is only $255? It hasn't changed in decades. It’s almost insulting, but you still have to claim it.
Preston Family Funeral Home usually notifies the Social Security Administration for you. They also help with the paperwork for life insurance claims. If you're a mess and can't find the policy number, they can often help you track down the right forms. They deal with the insurance companies so you don't have to listen to hold music for three hours.
💡 You might also like: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Actionable Steps for Your Family
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to be responsible for the future, don't just "wing it."
Check the documents. Locate the will, the life insurance policies, and any military discharge papers (DD-214). Keep them in one folder. If you don't have that DD-214, you can't get the military honors or the free marker for the grave.
Call for a quote. It's okay to ask for a General Price List (GPL). By law, funeral homes have to give this to you if you ask. Compare the costs between Preston and other local spots like Steen or Miller. Every dollar matters.
Write the "Rough Draft" Obituary. Don't wait until you're sleep-deprived. Write down the basics: where they went to school, their proudest hobbies, and the names of the grandkids. This saves a massive amount of stress during the arrangement meeting.
Ask about the "Extras." Does the price include the limousine? The register book? The thank-you cards? Sometimes these are bundled, and sometimes they are "cash advance items" that get added to the end of the bill. Get a written estimate before you sign the contract.
The bottom line is that Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland KY is a fixture of the community because they understand the specific culture of the Tri-State. They know we value family, we respect veterans, and we don't like being pressured into buying things we don't need. Whether you're planning a massive service at a local church or a quiet scattering of ashes in the woods, the goal is the same: saying goodbye without losing your mind in the process.
Stay organized. Ask the hard questions about money upfront. Lean on the staff for the paperwork. That’s how you get through it.