When you search for Laws Carr Funeral Home Milan, you might find yourself a little confused. Honestly, most people are. If you’re looking for a funeral home in Milan, Tennessee, you’ll see big names like Bodkin or Baskerville. But the "Laws Carr" name actually leads you somewhere else entirely—about 400 miles northeast to Milan, Indiana.
It's a classic geographic mix-up. People in Tennessee often search for it because the name "Carr" is deeply rooted in local history, but the business itself, now known as Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, is the cornerstone of a completely different Milan.
The Identity of Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home
Basically, if you are looking for this specific home, you are looking at a legacy that has defined Ripley County, Indiana, for decades. It isn’t just a business; it’s one of those places that has seen the town through its highest highs and lowest lows. You've probably heard of the "Milan Miracle" of 1954—the tiny high school basketball team that won the state championship and inspired the movie Hoosiers. Laws-Carr-Moore was right there in the thick of that history.
The funeral home currently operates at 707 S. Main St. in Milan, Indiana. It’s part of a trio of homes including Sibbett-Moore and Filter-DeVries-Moore. They’ve consolidated a bit over the years to keep up with how the funeral industry has changed.
Why the "Carr" Name Stuck
The "Carr" part of the name comes from Paul and Jean Carr. They owned and operated the facility from 1965 to 1974. Jean Carr was legendary in town—not just for her work at the funeral home, but because she baked cakes for seemingly every wedding and birthday in the county. When someone like that is part of a business, the name tends to stick in the local collective memory long after the deed has changed hands.
Services and Modern Expectations
Funeral homes aren't what they used to be in the 70s. Back then, it was almost always a casket, a visitation, and a church service. Now? It’s a whole different ballgame.
Laws-Carr-Moore has had to adapt. They handle everything from traditional burials to direct cremations. In 2026, we’re seeing a massive shift toward "celebration of life" events rather than somber, dark-room viewings. People want to talk about the hobbies, the jokes, and the actual life lived.
- Pre-planning: This has become huge. People realized that leaving their kids to guess what kind of vault they wanted is a recipe for a headache.
- Veteran Services: Being in a tight-knit community, they do a lot with military honors.
- Personalization: It’s not uncommon now to see a motorcycle in the viewing room or a display of handmade quilts.
The Tennessee Confusion
If you actually are in Milan, Tennessee, and you’re looking for the Carr family, you might be thinking of local obituaries or family ties. Milan, TN, has a rich history, and names like "Carr" pop up in the cemetery records frequently. However, for active funeral services in the 38358 zip code, you’re likely looking for:
- Bodkin Funeral Home: Located on South First Street, they’ve been the go-to for many West Tennessee families for years.
- Baskerville Funeral Home: Another long-standing institution on Main Street that handles a large portion of the local services.
It's easy to see why the SEO gets tangled. You have two towns with the same name, both with deep-seated family legacies.
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What Really Matters When Choosing
Whether you’re in Indiana or Tennessee, choosing a funeral home is kind of a high-pressure situation. You’re grieving, you’re tired, and suddenly you have to make forty decisions in two hours.
Nuance matters here. A lot of people think you have to go with the biggest home or the one your grandfather used. That’s not always true. You want a director who actually listens. If you tell them you want a simple cremation and they keep pushing a $5,000 mahogany casket, that’s a red flag. Laws-Carr-Moore has maintained its reputation by staying "local-first," even as the industry sees more corporate buyouts by big conglomerates like SCI.
Costs and Transparency
Honestly, funerals are expensive. In 2026, a traditional service can easily run $6,000 to $10,000 once you add in the cemetery fees and the headstone. Laws-Carr-Moore, like most reputable homes, provides a General Price List (GPL).
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Actionable tip: Always ask for the GPL before you sit down for the "arrangement conference." It’s federal law that they have to give it to you. It prevents that "sticker shock" that happens when you’re too emotional to say no.
Navigating the Legacy
The Laws Carr Funeral Home Milan story is really about how small-town institutions survive. They change names—adding "Moore" or "Sibbett"—to stay viable, but the core mission of burying the dead with some dignity remains.
If you're trying to find a specific obituary from the Carr era (1965-1974), your best bet is actually the Ripley County Historical Society or the digital archives on the Laws-Carr-Moore website. They’ve done a decent job of digitizing records, which is a godsend for genealogy nerds.
If you are dealing with a loss right now, the first step isn't picking a casket. It's making sure you have the legal authority to act. Check for a Will or a Pre-Need contract. Often, families find out too late that their loved one already paid for everything at a different home ten years ago.
Start by locating any existing paperwork before you sign a contract with a funeral director. This simple check can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of unnecessary stress during a week that’s already hard enough.