Planning a funeral is one of those things nobody actually wants to do until they absolutely have to. Honestly, it’s a mess of emotions, paperwork, and high-stakes decisions made while you’re probably running on three hours of sleep and a lot of caffeine. If you’re looking into Sellars Funeral Lebanon TN, you’re likely in the thick of it right now.
Most people think a funeral home is just a building with a chapel and some paperwork. That's a mistake. Especially in a place like Wilson County, where history runs deep, a funeral home is more like a community anchor. Sellars has been around the block—starting with Rev. Walter Sellars and now led by his grandson, Judd Sellars. It’s a family business in a world where corporate conglomerates are quietly buying up local shops.
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The "Ministry" Mindset vs. Just a Business
When you walk into a place like Sellars, you aren't just a "client." Judd Sellars has famously said that while people ask if he'll preach like his father and grandfather did, he views the funeral home itself as his ministry.
That’s a big deal.
It changes the vibe from a transactional "here is your invoice" to something a bit more human. They’ve been serving Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, and the surrounding areas for decades. This isn't just about picking out a casket; it’s about the fact that the person helping you probably knows your neighbor or went to Cumberland University with your cousin.
In a small town, reputation is everything. If you mess up a service in Lebanon, everyone at the fairgrounds will know about it by Tuesday. Sellars has managed to expand into eight cities and four counties because they’ve stuck to that "family serving family" philosophy.
What You Actually Need to Know About the Services
People get weirdly stressed about the "rules" of funerals. Can we have a party? Does it have to be in a chapel? What if we want cremation but still want a viewing?
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Basically, the answer at Sellars is usually "yes."
They handle the standard stuff, sure. Traditional burials, graveside services at Wilson County Memorial, and all the formal trimmings. But they also own two crematories—one right in Lebanon and one in Gallatin. This is a technical detail that actually matters because it means your loved one never leaves their care. A lot of funeral homes outsource cremation to third-party industrial sites. Knowing the staff you talked to is actually the one handling the process provides a weird, but necessary, kind of peace.
- Customization: They’ve seen it all. If your loved one was a massive Titans fan or loved the lake, they’ll bake that into the service.
- The Apprentice Factor: Recently, Storm Sellars joined the team. He’s the next generation, currently at Cumberland. It shows the legacy isn't stopping anytime soon.
- Grief Support: They don't just hand you the bill and wish you luck. They use programs like 365 Days of Healing and connect families with GriefShare.
Let’s Talk Money (The Part Everyone Dreads)
Funerals in Tennessee aren't exactly cheap, but they aren't a total mystery either. Honestly, the average cost for a traditional burial in the state hovers around $8,000.
If you’re looking at Sellars Funeral Lebanon TN, you’re going to see a "General Price List" (GPL). By law, they have to give this to you. Don't be afraid to look at it. Direct cremation is obviously the most affordable route, often starting around $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the specifics. A full-blown traditional service with a fancy casket and a vault? You’re looking at $10,000+.
The "hidden" costs people forget:
- Death Certificates: About $15 each in TN. You’ll need more than you think.
- Obituaries: Local papers charge by the inch. It adds up fast.
- The Minister: Usually a separate honorarium.
Why Location Matters in Wilson County
The Lebanon location at 313 W Baddour Pkwy is central. It's easy to get to, which sounds like a minor detail until you have 50 cars trying to follow a hearse to the cemetery.
They also have a community outreach coordinator, Jacqueline Roberson. This is sort of rare. It means they’re out there at ribbon cuttings and local events, not just waiting for someone to pass away. It makes the building feel a little less like a "house of death" and more like a part of the Lebanon landscape.
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The Reality of Grief Recovery
One thing Sellars leans into is the idea that the funeral is just the start. They work with specialists like Joy Gartner (an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist) to help people actually move through the pain.
A lot of folks think they just need to "get through the week." But the weeks after the funeral are when the silence gets loud. Having a funeral home that recognizes the "Grief Recovery Method" exists is a signal that they get the psychology of loss, not just the logistics of it.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently in the position of needing to make arrangements, here is what you should do right now:
- Locate the Paperwork: Find out if there was a pre-planned policy. Sellars keeps records of these, so if your loved one mentioned "pre-paying," call the home and ask them to check the files.
- Request the GPL: Call (615) 444-9393 and ask for their current General Price List. You can't make a budget without it.
- Decide on the "Big Two": Burial or Cremation? This is the fork in the road that determines everything else.
- Check the Obituary Policy: Decide if you want a full write-up in the Lebanon Democrat or just a digital notice on the Sellars website. Digital is free; print is expensive.
- Identify the "Authorizing Agent": In Tennessee, there’s a specific hierarchy of who has the legal right to sign for cremation. Make sure you have the right person ready to sign.