Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Funeral Service Provider in Boone, NC
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home has been serving the High Country community since 1954 with compassionate and personalized end-of-life services. Our full-service funeral home and crematory provide traditional funerals, cremation services, memorial ceremonies, and pre-need planning options tailored to individual preferences. With decades of combined experience, our licensed professionals guide families through every step, offering 24/7 support and maintaining an on-site crematory to eliminate the need for out-of-town transportation.We specialize in creating meaningful tributes that reflect each person's unique life, serving Watauga, Avery, Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes counties in North Carolina, and Johnson County in Tennessee. Our commitment to excellence extends to veterans' services, grief support, and community education programs, ensuring families receive comprehensive care during difficult times.
Services
Traditional Funerals
Cremation Services
Memorial Ceremonies
Pre-Need Planning
Veterans' Honors
Grief Counseling
Obituary Services
Casket Selection
Urn Options
Grave Markers
Details
- Year established: 1954
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 personalized support during difficult times
- Our on-site crematory eliminates out-of-town transportation needs
- Experienced staff with decades of combined funeral service expertise
- Customized memorial services reflecting individual life stories
- Specialized veterans' honors and pre-need planning options
What people say
Handled each detail with care
Excellent to work with
Made difficult time easier
Professional and kind
Exceeded expectations
Services
Cremation Services
Our on-site crematory provides dignified cremation services without requiring transportation out of town. We offer direct cremation options and traditional cremation with memorial services, including urn selection and final disposition planning. Our certified operators ensure respectful handling throughout the process.
Traditional Funerals
We coordinate complete traditional funeral services including visitation, clergy coordination, and cemetery arrangements. Our facilities accommodate both open and closed casket viewings, with options for personalized tributes reflecting the deceased's life and cultural traditions.
Pre-Need Planning
Our pre-need services allow individuals to document personal wishes and pre-pay arrangements. This service includes customized planning consultations and financial options to relieve family decision-making burdens during difficult times.
Veterans' Honors
We provide full military honors ceremonies with flag presentation and Taps performance. Our staff coordinates with VA offices to ensure eligible veterans receive proper recognition and benefits during their final services.
Grief Counseling
Our ongoing grief support program offers daily email messages for one year following loss. We also connect families with community resources and provide guidance for navigating the mourning process through different stages.
People
Robert W. Barnes
Owner/Operator
Licensed funeral director since 1968 with Associates Degree in Business Administration. Certified crematory operator and pre-need specialist. Active member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.
Bruce Shomaker
Funeral Director
Licensed funeral director with 25+ years experience. Graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Specializes in pre-need planning and cremation services. Active in local community.
Jordan Rudel
Funeral Director
Licensed funeral director since 2015 with expertise in modern memorialization options. Graduated from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. Focuses on personalized service arrangements.
Tessie Rudel
Funeral Director
Experienced funeral director with 30+ years in the profession. Specializes in compassionate family support and traditional service arrangements. Graduate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
Kelley Gruelle Shomaker
Office Manager
Manages administrative operations with prior experience in educational finance. Brings organizational expertise to support families during arrangement planning and documentation processes.
Questions
What services does Austin & Barnes Funeral Home offer?
We provide traditional funerals, cremation services, memorial ceremonies, pre-need planning, veterans' honors, and grief support. Our full-service facility includes an on-site crematory.
Do you offer 24/7 assistance?
Yes, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with immediate needs and emergency arrangements.
Can I plan funeral services in advance?
Yes, we offer comprehensive pre-need planning with customizable options to document your wishes and reduce family decision-making burdens.
Are cremation services less expensive?
Cremation typically offers more affordable options compared to traditional burial. Costs vary based on selected memorialization choices and service packages.
How are veterans' services handled?
We provide full military honors with flag presentation and Taps. Our staff coordinates VA benefits documentation and specialized memorial arrangements for eligible veterans.
What support exists after the funeral?
Our grief support program delivers daily email messages for one year. We also connect families with community resources and counseling options.
