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History & Staff

Our Story

Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.

Ever since we opened our doors we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Why Us?

In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

Why Us?

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.

Learn the legacy.

United Funeral Service, Inc. had it's beginnings in 1907 when Hamilton Hardware began filling an unmet need in Union County by stocking caskets and doing embalming above the main floor of the hardware business in downtown New Albany. By succession, United Funeral Service was incorporated in 1964 by a group of local community leaders who wanted a first class facility with dedicated caring professionals to serve the community for future generations. We will celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2009. We have met the vision of our forbearers by continually remodeling and upgrading our physical site as well employing the very finest professionals who are sincerely motivated by their calling to serve families. We’ll be here when you need us and always have been. We call ourselves "The United Family" and truly feel that way.

Our local newspaper began a poll of citizenry many years ago called “the best of the best” and United Funeral Service has always been voted "The Best Funeral Home" every year. We don’t take our duty and responsibility for sterling service for granted and we pride ourselves in meeting and exceeding the expectations of families in their time of need. We are humbled when we are told by visiting friends and family from other states and locations that they wish they had a funeral home like United in their city or community.

We continue to be family owned and understand what families go through when they suffer the loss of a loved one because each one of us has experienced that and know what a huge difference it makes in the grief process in how the funeral ceremony and saying "goodbye" is professionally and caringly handled. We are proud to give each family the care and attention they deserve. We encourage families to celebrate the life of the deceased and try to personalize every funeral service to reflect on that life. 

Who We Are

Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.Together, we make this place amazing.

Rodney Shands

Rodney Shands

President
Cary  Saxon

Cary Saxon

Manager
Shellie Chunn

Shellie Chunn

Assistant Manager
Kathryn  McClure

Kathryn McClure

Office Manager
Judy  Wingo

Judy Wingo

Beverly  Baker

Beverly Baker

Benny Rakestraw

Benny Rakestraw

Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia

Pat Wilhite Taylor

Pat Wilhite Taylor

Chelcie Hancock

Chelcie Hancock

Benny  Hogue

Benny Hogue

Maintenance manager
Joe  Bryant

Joe Bryant

Explore Our Locations

See where we are and find the place that best meet your needs.