Death is expensive. It's also confusing. When you're standing in a lobby smelling of lilies and floor wax, the last thing you want is a sales pitch, but that’s often the reality of the funeral industry. Honestly, choosing a provider like Runge Mortuary in Davenport usually happens during the worst week of someone's life. You’re tired. You’re grieving. You just want someone to handle the paperwork so you can sit in a dark room for a while.
Runge has been a fixture on East Kimberly Road since what feels like the dawn of time—actually, since 1895. That is a lot of history for one building. But there is a massive gap between the "family-owned" image people remember from decades ago and how the business operates in 2026.
The Corporate Reality vs. The Local Name
Here is the thing: if you walk into Runge today, you’ll see the name "Runge" on the sign. You might even meet Hank Runge, who still serves as the General Manager. But the business itself isn't a small, independent mom-and-pop shop anymore. It is part of the Dignity Memorial network, owned by SCI (Service Corporation International).
Why does that matter? It matters because of the "why."
When a local mortuary joins a massive conglomerate, the resources go up, but the pricing structure changes. You get things like the "Bereavement Travel Program" or the ability to transfer pre-arranged plans to any of their 2,000+ locations across North America. That is a huge perk if your family is spread out. On the flip side, you’re dealing with a corporate entity.
Some folks in the Quad Cities feel like that personal touch has thinned out over the years. Others love the polish. It’s a trade-off. You get the reliability of a billion-dollar company, but you pay the "big box" prices that come with it.
Breaking Down the Costs at Runge Mortuary in Davenport
Let's talk money, because nobody else likes to. In Davenport, a traditional full-service burial at Runge can easily climb past $10,800. If you’re looking at full-service cremation (which includes a viewing and a ceremony), you’re looking at roughly $8,380.
If those numbers make your eyes water, you aren't alone.
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Direct cremation—no service, no viewing, just the essentials—is the "budget" option, starting around $2,815 to $2,970 depending on the current 2026 price adjustments. Compare that to some of the smaller, independent competitors in the area like Orr’s Mortuary or even Cunnick-Collins (which is also under the Dignity umbrella but sometimes offers different tiered packages), and you’ll see that Runge sits at the higher end of the local market.
Basically, you’re paying for the facility.
The building at 838 East Kimberly Road is massive. It's designed to hold huge crowds. If you’re burying a local Pillar of the Community who is going to have 400 people show up for the visitation, Runge can handle that. If you're doing a private 10-person goodbye, you might feel a bit lost in the rafters.
What Actually Happens During the Planning Process?
Planning a funeral is basically like planning a wedding in 48 hours while someone is screaming at your soul. It sucks.
At Runge Mortuary in Davenport, the process usually starts with a "General Price List" (GPL). By law, they have to give this to you. Read it. Don't just nod.
The staff, like Gina or Hank, are often praised for being compassionate, but they are also trained professionals in a sales environment. You’ll be asked about:
- Embalming: It’s almost always required if you’re having an open-casket public viewing, but it is not legally required for direct cremation or immediate burial in Iowa.
- The Casket: This is the biggest markup. A standard casket at a mortuary might run you $2,000 to $5,000. Fun fact: You can buy a casket at Costco or online and have it shipped to Runge. They cannot charge you a "handling fee" for this. It’s federal law.
- The Vault: Most cemeteries in Davenport (like Davenport Memorial Park) require an outer burial container to keep the ground from sinking. Runge will sell you one, but again, check the prices.
The Cremation Growth Trend
More and more Davenport families are ditching the heavy mahogany boxes for urns. Runge has leaned hard into this. They have their own on-site crematory, which is a big deal for some people. It means your loved one never leaves their "custody of care."
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There’s a certain peace of mind in knowing the person isn't being driven to a third-party facility three towns over. They use CANA-licensed operators, which is basically the gold standard for crematory certifications.
Why the Reviews Are a Mixed Bag
If you look at recent feedback from late 2025 and early 2026, you'll see a lot of five-star praise for the "empathy" and "smoothness" of the services. But you’ll also see a recurring theme: logistics.
One customer recently complained about having to get a death certificate corrected three times. That is a nightmare when you're trying to close bank accounts or claim life insurance. Another person mentioned feeling "added anxiety" regarding the financial contracts.
This is the "Corporate vs. Local" friction point. When everything goes right, it’s seamless. When a paperwork error happens, it can feel like you're shouting into a void because of the administrative layers involved in a Dignity-owned property.
Veterans and Military Honors
One area where Runge consistently gets high marks is their handling of Veterans' services. Davenport has a deep military history, and the mortuary is very "dialed in" with the Rock Island National Cemetery. They handle the coordination for the honor guard, the flag folding, and the taps.
If you are a veteran, or the spouse of one, this is where the corporate "Dignity" connection actually helps. They have specific packages and discounts (sometimes up to 10% off certain cemetery property) that smaller shops might not be able to match.
Making the Decision: Is Runge Right for You?
Choosing Runge Mortuary in Davenport comes down to what you value.
If you want the "safe" choice—the one with the big parking lot, the 24/7 availability, and the name your grandparents used—this is it. They are professionals. They know how to move a crowd. They have the resources to handle "out-of-state" transfers if someone passes away while on vacation in Florida.
But if you are on a strict budget, or if you want a hyper-local, "non-corporate" feel, you might want to shop around.
Steps to take right now:
- Get the GPL: Call them and ask for the General Price List via email. Do this before you walk in.
- Compare the "Direct" Costs: If you aren't doing a big showy funeral, look specifically at the "Direct Cremation" and "Immediate Burial" line items.
- Check the Pre-Plan: If you have a plan from 1995, dig it out. Since Runge is part of a network, you might be able to use that credit elsewhere if you’ve moved away from the Quad Cities.
- Bring a "Sane" Friend: When you go to the arrangement meeting, bring someone who isn't the primary mourner. They can be the one to ask, "Do we really need the $800 stationery package?"
At the end of the day, a mortuary is a service provider. Runge is a high-end, high-capacity provider with a long-standing reputation in Davenport. Just remember that you're the one in charge of the checkbook, even when your heart is heavy. Keep your eyes on the paperwork, ask for transparency on the death certificates, and don't be afraid to say "no" to the extras.