If you’ve spent any time driving through South Broad Street in Rome, you’ve passed it. The building stands there, quiet and steady, like a sentinel. But for many families in Floyd County, Wright Memorial Mortuary Rome GA isn’t just a landmark or a business. It’s a repository of stories.
Honestly, when people talk about funeral homes, they usually focus on the somber stuff—the flowers, the suits, the heavy silence. They miss the actual point. A place like this doesn't exist just to handle the end of a life; it exists to help the living figure out how to carry on.
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A Legacy Built on "Friendship in Action"
Joe Wright, the founder, wasn't just some businessman who decided to open a mortuary on a whim. He was a Korean War veteran who saw the world and then came back to Georgia to serve his community in a very specific, intimate way.
He started this place back in 1971.
Think about that for a second. In the early 70s, the world was changing fast, but in Rome, the need for a dignified, Black-owned funeral service that treated people like neighbors instead of "clients" was massive. Joe’s motto was simple: "Where Service is Friendship in Action." It sounds sorta old-school, right? Maybe even a bit cliché. But for the families who have walked through those doors over the last 50+ years, it’s been the literal truth. When Joe passed away in 2019 at the age of 87, he left behind more than just a business. He left a blueprint for how to treat people when they are at their absolute breaking point.
The Misconception About Choice
One thing people get wrong about Wright Memorial Mortuary Rome GA is thinking it’s only for "traditional" services. You know the drill: the open casket, the organ music, the long procession to the cemetery.
Sure, they do that. They do it well. But the reality of modern funerals is way more complex.
Today, families are looking for flexibility. Sometimes that means a quiet cremation without a public viewing. Other times, it’s a full-blown celebration of life that feels more like a family reunion than a wake. They handle everything from:
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- Direct Cremation: For when you want something simple and private.
- Traditional Burial: Complete with the professional embalming and dressing services they’ve been known for since the Gupton College days.
- Veterans Services: Because of Joe’s own military history, there’s a deep-seated respect for military honors here. They know the paperwork. They know how to get the flag folded right.
Why the Local Touch Still Matters
We live in an era of "death care" conglomerates. Big corporations buy up local funeral homes, keep the old family name on the sign, but change everything behind the scenes.
Wright Memorial Mortuary has resisted that pull.
It’s still rooted in the community. You see it in the way they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. They didn't just follow the CDC rules; they were active in praying for the community and offering digital support for families who couldn't gather in person. They’ve stayed small enough to care but large enough to handle the logistics of a major service.
Let’s Talk About the Money (Transparently)
Funerals are expensive. There’s no point in sugarcoating it. But one thing that sets this mortuary apart is their willingness to work with different budgets.
Basically, they offer a range. You can get a basic service for around $1,800, but once you add in the casket, the vault, and the staff time for a full ceremony, those costs climb. What’s helpful is that they offer modern payment options—eChecks, crowdfunding directly through their site, and even life insurance assignment where they help you get the funds faster so you aren't waiting 90 days for a payout.
The Practical Side: What to Do Next
If you are actually looking for help right now, don't just wing it. Dealing with a loss is a fog. Your brain isn't working at 100%.
First, find the DD-214 if your loved one was a veteran. You’ll need that for the honors. Second, don't feel pressured into a "package" that doesn't fit the person you're honoring. If they hated suits, don't bury them in one. If they loved a specific type of music, play it.
Wright Memorial Mortuary is located at 814 S. Broad St., Rome, GA 30161. You can reach them at (706) 235-0642.
Whether you’re pre-planning (which, let’s be real, is a gift to your kids so they don't have to guess what you wanted) or you’re in the middle of a crisis, the move is to just talk to them. Ask the "dumb" questions. Ask about the costs upfront. A good mortuary—and this is one of them—won't flinch at those questions. They expect them.
The goal isn't just to get through the day of the funeral. The goal is to start the process of healing with as much dignity as possible.
Actionable Steps for Families
- Gather Documents: Locate social security numbers, birth certificates, and any pre-arranged insurance policies before the first meeting.
- Define the Vibe: Decide early if you want a religious ceremony or a secular celebration. This changes which staff members and venues need to be involved.
- Check for Crowdfunding: If finances are tight, ask the mortuary about setting up a memorial fund through their official platform to avoid the high fees of external sites.
- Visit the Site: If you haven't been there, drive by. See the facility. Make sure it feels like a place where you'd be comfortable saying your final goodbyes.