If you’ve ever driven down Front Street in Marietta, you’ve seen those two stately Greek Revival houses. They look more like historic mansions than a place of business. But that’s exactly the vibe at Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home Marietta Ohio. It doesn’t feel like a sterile, corporate facility because, frankly, it isn't one.
Death is weird. It’s heavy, confusing, and usually happens when you’re least prepared to handle a 50-page checklist of logistics. Most people think a funeral home is just a place where you pick out a casket and buy some flowers. Honestly? That’s barely scratching the surface of what Bill Peoples and his team actually do in that historic space at 408 Front Street.
The Secret Museum in the Alley
Here is the thing nobody tells you: there is a world-class museum hidden in the garage behind the funeral home. Seriously. The Peoples Mortuary Museum is a labor of love from Bill Peoples, a guy who has been a licensed director since 1971.
It isn't macabre or "spooky," though I'm sure the local teens think so around Halloween. It is a massive collection of how we, as humans, have said goodbye over the last 150 years.
Bill’s collection includes:
- Antique Hearses: We are talking horse-drawn carriages from 1895 and a 1934 Studebaker President (only six were ever made).
- Hollywood Connections: His 1927 Henney hearse—nicknamed "Miss Henney"—was actually in the movie Get Low with Robert Duvall and Bill Murray. Bill spent weeks on set in Atlanta making sure the actors didn't beat up his car.
- Mourning Jewelry: Victorians were intense. They used to make jewelry out of human hair to remember their loved ones. You can see real examples here.
- The "Basket Case" Origin: You know that phrase? It actually comes from the wicker baskets undertakers used to use to carry bodies out of homes when a casket wasn't ready.
The museum is free, but you have to call ahead. It’s basically Bill’s way of demystifying a profession that most people are too scared to ask about.
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Why Cawley & Peoples Isn't a Chain
In a world where big corporations are buying up local funeral homes left and right, Cawley & Peoples is still stubbornly independent. That matters more than you’d think.
When you call, you’re usually talking to Brian Scharff, the general manager who grew up in Marietta, or Bill himself. They aren't reporting to a board of directors in Houston. They are the ones sponsoring the local Rotary Club or serving on the boards of Marietta Memorial and Selby General Hospital.
The history of the place is long. The business itself dates back to 1869. The Cawley family and the Peoples family joined forces to create what exists now, and that lineage of local trust is why people keep coming back. Even Patricia Peoples, Bill's wife, is a licensed director who spent years as an educator in the Warren and Fort Frye school districts. They know everyone in town.
The Reality of Modern Funerals
Let’s get into the weeds of what they actually offer because it’s changed a lot lately. People aren't just doing the "viewing plus church service" anymore.
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Cremation is huge now.
Cawley & Peoples handles this, but they do it with a focus on "final resting place" options. Some families want a full traditional service with a visitation before the cremation happens. Others just want a direct cremation. According to recent industry data, direct cremation in the Marietta area can run around $3,150, while a full-service burial is closer to $9,000. It’s a big gap, and the staff is surprisingly blunt about helping people find what fits their budget without the high-pressure sales tactics you might find elsewhere.
Personalization is the new standard.
I've heard stories of people bringing in motorcycles, sets of golf clubs, or even having a "celebration of life" that feels more like a party than a funeral. Their chapels have pianos and webcasting capabilities because, let’s face it, half the family usually lives in another state and can’t make it to Ohio on three days' notice.
Handling the "Business" of Death
Nobody wants to talk about money when they're grieving, but it's unavoidable. One of the things Brian Scharff specializes in is "advance funeral planning."
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Basically, you go in when you’re perfectly healthy and pick everything out. You pay for it at today's prices, and then your kids don't have to argue about whether you wanted the mahogany casket or the pine one twenty years from now. It sounds depressing, but it's actually one of the kindest things you can do for your family.
Final Actionable Insights for Marietta Families
If you find yourself needing to contact Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home Marietta Ohio, here is what you actually need to do:
- Call 740-373-1111 immediately: They have someone on call 24/7. Don't wait for "business hours" if a death occurs at home or in a facility.
- Locate the "Blue Folder": If your loved one pre-planned, they likely have a folder from Cawley & Peoples. Find it before you head to the office.
- Don't forget the VA: If the deceased was a veteran, bring their DD-214. The staff handles the heavy lifting for military honors and cemetery benefits, but they need that paperwork.
- Visit the Museum first: If you’re nervous about the process, go take a tour of the Mortuary Museum. It helps to see the history and realize that this is just a natural, albeit difficult, part of the human story.
The reality is that death is messy. Having a team like the one at 408 Front Street—people who actually live in your neighborhood and know your history—makes the mess a lot easier to navigate.