Honestly, when you’re looking up a funeral home, you’re usually having one of the worst weeks of your life. You aren't looking for a corporate sales pitch. You want someone who knows the difference between a "client" and a neighbor. That’s the space Wilkinson Funeral Home in Concord NC has occupied for over a century.
Wait—was it Wilkerson or Wilkinson?
Let’s clear that up first. In North Carolina, there are several "Wilkersons" in the business. There’s a prominent Wilkerson in Reidsville and another in Greenville. But in Concord, the name that has been part of the local fabric since 1916 is actually Wilkinson Funeral Home. If you're searching for "Wilkerson" in Cabarrus County, you’re likely looking for the landmark building at 100 Branchview Drive NE.
It started with a guy named H.B. Wilkinson. Back in 1913, he actually moved from Concord to Kannapolis to open a furniture store. Back then, furniture and funerals went hand-in-hand because furniture makers were the ones building the caskets. Eventually, the business split, the families evolved, and the Wilkinson name became synonymous with the Concord location.
Why the local roots actually matter
Most people don't realize how many funeral homes are being bought up by massive, out-of-state corporations. You see the same name on the sign, but the profit margins are being watched by a board of directors in a skyscraper three states away.
Wilkinson is different. It’s still family-operated. When you call, you’re often talking to someone like Jay Wilkinson or Rina Wilkinson. There’s a specific kind of accountability that comes with having your own name on the building. If they mess up, they have to see you at the grocery store or at a high school football game. That pressure—the "neighbor" factor—is exactly what ensures they don't treat you like a line item on a spreadsheet.
They’ve seen it all. From the days of horse-drawn hearses to the modern shift toward green burials and digital memorials.
What do they actually do?
Basically, they handle the logistics so you can handle the grief. That sounds like a cliché, but the "logistics" are actually a nightmare if you’re doing them alone. We’re talking:
📖 Related: Letter of Recommendation Layout: What Most People Get Wrong
- Death certificates: Navigating the bureaucracy of North Carolina’s vital records.
- Social Security: Making sure the government is notified so benefits aren't messed up later.
- The Service: Whether it’s a full traditional service at their chapel or a small gathering at a local church like New Gilead Reformed or Mt. Hermon Lutheran.
They’ve also leaned heavily into cremation. It’s no secret that traditional burials are getting expensive. In Concord, the average cost for a traditional funeral can hover around $6,000 to $7,000, but Wilkinson has historically been competitive, often offering packages that stay on the lower end of that local average.
The "Rina" factor
If you spend any time reading local reviews or talking to folks in Cabarrus County, one name comes up constantly: Rina.
Losing a parent or a spouse leaves you in a "fog." People describe walking into the office at 100 Branchview and feeling like they were being led by the hand. There’s a story from a local family about the staff literally sewing a hem back into a granddaughter’s dress right before a service because she’d tripped and torn it. That isn't in the contract. You can't pay for that level of "I’ve got you."
Pre-planning: The thing everyone avoids
Nobody wants to talk about their own funeral. It’s weird. It’s uncomfortable. But honestly? It’s the kindest thing you can do for your kids.
🔗 Read more: Unemployment Massachusetts Phone Number: What Most People Get Wrong
Wilkinson pushes pre-planning not just for the business, but because they see the chaos when it’s not done. When a family walks in and says, "We don't know if he wanted to be buried or cremated," the tension in the room is palpable. Pre-funding a funeral also locks in today’s prices. Given that inflation hits the funeral industry just as hard as the housing market, a "price-locked" funeral from five years ago looks like a genius financial move today.
A nuanced look at the facilities
The building itself is classic. It’s got that old-school, Southern comfort vibe—large rooms, soft lighting, and plenty of space for the "receiving friends" portion of the evening. It’s not a cold, clinical environment. However, because they are a busy, central hub in Concord, parking can sometimes be a squeeze during a large visitation. It's one of those small trade-offs for being right in the heart of town.
Actionable Steps for Families in Concord
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to get your ducks in a row, here is exactly how to handle it:
- Verify the Name: Ensure you are looking at Wilkinson Funeral Home (Concord) rather than Wilkerson (Reidsville/Greenville) to ensure you get the right obituary and service location.
- Request a General Price List (GPL): Federal law requires funeral homes to give you a printed price list. Ask for it. It allows you to see the "basic services fee" versus the "casket prices" without any pressure.
- Check the Obituary Archives: If you are looking for a service time, their website is updated daily. You can sign up for email alerts so you don't miss the service of a former colleague or neighbor.
- Ask about the Veterans Discount: If your loved one served, the staff at Wilkinson is particularly adept at coordinating with the VA for honors, flags, and burial at national cemeteries like Salisbury.
- Schedule a "No-Pressure" Chat: You don't have to be dying to talk to them. You can walk in, ask for a tour, and get a folder of information to stick in your "just in case" drawer at home.
The reality of funeral service in 2026 is that people want authenticity. They want to know that the person handling their father’s remains actually cares that he was a lifelong Panthers fan or a dedicated deacon. In a world of corporate takeovers, Wilkinson stays relevant because they haven't forgotten that they’re in the people business, not the "body" business.