When you drive down N.E. 36th Street in Oklahoma City, there’s a building that feels like it’s been there forever because, well, it practically has. Finding a business that survives a decade is tough enough. Finding one that anchors a community for over 75 years is something else entirely. That’s what we’re looking at with Temple and Sons Funeral Home Oklahoma City. It isn't just a place where people handle the logistics of death; it is a repository of local history and a masterclass in how a family-owned business adapts to a changing world without losing its soul.
Honestly, talking about funeral homes is uncomfortable for most. We avoid it until we can’t. But when you look at the track record of the Temple family, you realize they’ve spent decades doing the heavy lifting for grieving families during some of the city's most turbulent times.
Earl M. Temple started this. He didn't just want to open a shop; he wanted to provide dignity. You have to remember the context of when this started. In the mid-20th century, the funeral industry, like everything else, was deeply segregated. For Black families in Oklahoma City, having a place like Temple and Sons wasn't just a matter of preference—it was a matter of necessity and respect.
The Deep Roots of Temple and Sons Funeral Home Oklahoma City
Family businesses are tricky. Most of them fail by the second generation. The third? Forget about it. Yet, the Temple family managed to pass the torch effectively. Currently, Mark Temple and the rest of the team continue the legacy that Earl and his wife, Channie, established back in 1947.
It’s interesting.
People often think funeral homes are static, dusty places. That’s a mistake. If you actually look at how they operate, you’ll see a constant evolution in how they handle "at-need" and "pre-need" services. They were among the first in the region to really lean into the idea that a funeral shouldn’t just be a somber goodbye, but a "homegoing" celebration. That distinction matters. It’s a cultural nuance that Temple and Sons Funeral Home Oklahoma City has mastered over the decades.
They’ve handled high-profile services and quiet, private ones with the same level of granular attention. Whether it’s a horse-drawn carriage or a modern motorcade, the aesthetic is always about the family’s wishes. They aren't pushing a cookie-cutter experience. They listen.
Why Longevity Matters in the Death Care Industry
Trust is a word people throw around a lot in marketing, but in this industry, it’s the only currency that actually buys anything. When someone passes away, you are at your most vulnerable. You don't want to be "sold" to. You want someone who knows your name, your family's history, and maybe even which church your grandmother attended.
That’s the "secret sauce" here.
The staff at Temple and Sons are deeply embedded in the OKC community. They show up at the high school football games. They’re in the pews on Sundays. They sponsor the local events. This isn't some corporate conglomerate owned by a hedge fund in another state—a trend that is currently swallowing up independent funeral homes across the US. When you call, you aren't getting a call center in Arizona. You’re getting a person who probably knows exactly where your street is.
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Navigating the Logistics of Loss
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. Most people don’t know what they’re doing when a death occurs. It’s overwhelming. Basically, the funeral home acts as a project manager for one of the most stressful weeks of your life.
They handle:
- Death certificates and legal filings (the stuff no one wants to do).
- Coordination with cemeteries like Trice Hill or Hillcrest.
- The "Pre-need" planning which, frankly, is the smartest move anyone can make.
Pre-planning is a bit of a taboo topic at the dinner table, but honestly, it’s a gift to the people you leave behind. Temple and Sons has been vocal about this for years. By locking in costs and making the hard decisions now, you prevent your kids from having to argue about casket liners while they’re grieving.
The funeral industry has seen a massive shift toward cremation lately. It’s cheaper. It’s more flexible. While traditional burials are still the cornerstone of their business, Temple and Sons has adapted to offer various cremation packages that don't skimp on the memorial aspect. You can have a full service and still choose cremation. It’s not an "either-or" situation anymore.
The Role of the Funeral Director
We tend to think of funeral directors as the guys in black suits who stand in the corner. But at a place like Temple and Sons, the director is more like a grief counselor, an event planner, and a legal advisor rolled into one. They have to navigate the complex emotions of blended families, the financial constraints of different households, and the religious requirements of various denominations.
It's a high-burnout job.
To do it for 75 years as a family requires a level of emotional resilience that most people don't possess. Mark Temple has spoken in various community forums about the importance of empathy in this role. It’s not just about the body; it’s about the living.
What People Often Get Wrong About Funeral Costs
Money is the elephant in the room. There is a common misconception that funeral homes are trying to "upsell" grieving families. While there are certainly predatory players in the national market, established local firms like Temple and Sons Funeral Home Oklahoma City rely on their reputation. If they ripped people off, they wouldn't have lasted past 1960.
The reality is that death care is labor-intensive. You’re paying for 24/7 availability. You’re paying for specialized equipment and professional licensing. You're paying for the facility maintenance of a massive building on 36th Street.
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Most people don't realize that you can customize almost everything. You don't need the most expensive vault. You don't need the gold-plated handles. A reputable home will walk you through the General Price List (GPL), which is a federal requirement, by the way. If a funeral home doesn't hand you a GPL immediately, walk out. Temple and Sons is known for being transparent with these documents.
Modern Touches in a Traditional Space
The digital age hasn't skipped over the funeral industry. If you look at their online presence, they’ve integrated digital obituaries where people can leave "tributes." This might seem small, but for family members who live in other states or countries, it’s a vital connection.
They also offer:
- Live-streaming of services (which became huge during the pandemic and never really went away).
- Online guestbooks that can be printed into physical keepsakes.
- Video tributes that play during the visitation.
It’s a blend of the old-school dignified atmosphere and the new-school "we need to see this on our phones" reality.
The Cultural Significance of the "Homegoing"
In the African American community in Oklahoma City, a funeral is often referred to as a "Homegoing." This isn't just a semantic difference; it’s a shift in perspective. It’s the idea that the deceased is going home to God.
Temple and Sons understands this better than anyone.
The music is different. The energy is different. The eulogies are often longer and more involved. A funeral home that doesn't understand these cultural beats will fail to provide the comfort the family needs. This is why specialized, community-focused homes continue to thrive even as big-box funeral corporations try to take over the market. They provide a "cultural competency" that you just can't teach in a corporate seminar.
Actionable Steps for Families in Oklahoma City
If you find yourself needing to contact a funeral home, or if you’re just trying to be responsible and plan ahead, here is the "non-corporate" way to handle it.
First, don't wait for a crisis. Call and ask for a tour. It sounds weird, but seeing the space when you aren't in tears helps you make a rational decision. Ask to see the chapel. Look at the fleet of cars. Ask about their packages for veterans—Temple and Sons has a long history of working with the VA to ensure veterans get the honors they earned.
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Second, get your paperwork together. The funeral home will need the deceased’s Social Security number, birth date, parents' names (including mother's maiden name), and any military discharge papers (DD-214). Having this in a folder saves you hours of frustration later.
Third, be honest about your budget. A good funeral director would rather help you find a service you can afford than see you go into debt. There are ways to honor a loved one that don't involve a $10,000 casket. Ask about "direct burial" or "direct cremation" if funds are tight.
Fourth, consider the location. The 2801 N.E. 36th St location is central for many in OKC, but consider the logistics for your specific church or cemetery. Temple and Sons are pros at navigating the traffic and timing of Oklahoma City, which is a detail people often overlook until they’re stuck in a funeral procession on the Broadway Extension.
The Future of Temple and Sons
As Oklahoma City grows and changes, the Northeast side is seeing a lot of shifts. New businesses are coming in, and the demographics are evolving. However, the need for a stable, reliable institution doesn't go away.
The Temple family has stayed put.
They’ve seen the city through the civil rights movement, the 1995 bombing (where they played a role in the aftermath), and the rapid expansion of the 2010s. That kind of institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. When you choose a place like this, you’re tapping into a legacy that is interwoven with the history of Oklahoma itself.
It’s about more than just a service. It’s about a handshake and a name you recognize.
In an era of AI and automation, there are some things you just can't automate. You can't automate the way a funeral director puts a hand on a grieving shoulder or the way they know exactly which hymn will bring the most peace to a specific family. That’s why Temple and Sons Funeral Home Oklahoma City is still here, and why they’ll likely be here for another 75 years.
To get started with your own planning or to find an obituary for a loved one, the best move is to visit their official site or simply drop by the office. They’re known for being approachable. You don't need an appointment to just walk in and ask a few basic questions. Being prepared is the best way to handle the inevitable, and having a local expert in your corner makes all the difference.