Chosen The "Readers Choice Award" # 1 Funeral Home Of Choice - "Thank You Grand Strand for your continued support in allowing us to serve you.

Jim & Carole Bowdre, Owners

Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory, a more affordable full-service funeral home, that offers 12 different cremation service options, designed to meet the needs of most families. We also offer shipping services and "traditional burial services for $2995", that includes embalming, hearse service to local cemetery, visitation/funeral services at our FH and a metal casket available in five colors.

In addition, we are one of the lowest priced cremation service providers in our area, and the only one with an "on-site" crematory located in a completely finished room adjacent to our larger chapel. Starting at $795 for a Simple - Direct, no Service options Cremation; and a $895, 12-Step Option that includes "more services" and is explained in more detail in the "12-Step Direct Cremation" section, on our website.

We meet and out-perform the other low-cost providers that have similar pricing, but only offer you limited parking and a much smaller facility, most of whom do not even have an on-site crematory. The average funeral home in the U.S., including some here at the beach, charge as much for a cremation, as we do a burial.

Because we are one of the leading cremation service providers in our area, we offer 12 different cremation options to meet the needs, desires and budget of most families and friends we serve. We believe that saying Goodbye to the memory of a Loved One, should not mean you have to say goodbye to your savings.

Families wanting to prepare ahead of time, as a "pre-need or pre-arrangement" for a loved one's passing, can go to the "Forms Needed For Services" under the "Plan For a Service" option under the MENU BAR and print-off forms number (1.) and (2.) for a cremation and just form number (2.) is needed for a burial or forwarding of a loved ones remains out of state. Then, please fax back to us at 843.293.4507; or scan and email to us at [email protected]. Any questions please call us at 843.293.4505, or even much simpler, give us an Email Address, so we can send the two forms required by SC State Law for any cremation service we provide. The two forms can very easily be completed by filling or typing in the highlighted areas, the requested information the FH needs. Once you click on the highlighted window at the very bottom of the 2nd form, all information will be sent back to our FH automatically, so you do not need to print anything, making things very simple. The legal next-of-kin needs to, by using our "Electronic Signaturing" setup, type his or her legal name into the area requesting "AGENT SIGNATURE" on the Cremation Authorization Form. Most families can complete the two forms on a smart phone. Also, In order to set-up "Pre-Arrangements in a Guaranteed Trust", that locks in the price for the future, families must bring in Photo ID's, i.e., Drivers License and a Blank Personal Check of the family member purchasing and paying for the Service(s) chosen or selected. The funds are then put into a "Trust", regulated and monitored, by DHEC's Dept. Of Consumer Affairs" until the "Loved One" that the "Trust" was set-up for, as Beneficiary, passes away. The Funds "cannot" go to a Funeral Home, unless the Loved One is under "Hospice Care" or is facing an "Immenate Death." 

 

In the "Plan a Funeral" section a Families checklist of what to do, or things to consider, before a loved ones passing, or, what is the next step to take when dealing with the death of a loved one that has just passed, is provided on this website.  It covers most situations, so some paragraphs will not apply to you, in your particular situation. 

 Local Florist Link, for florist close to our FH, for the Conway area, "The Daisy Fair" is an option. They all do good work. For nearby motels to stay, the Comfort Inn, Hilton Garden Inn or Super 8 Motel are all near to the airport and our funeral home. Also the Red Roof Inn and the No. one Myrtle Beach Hotel Resort on the ocean is very near the airport and our FH.

"Our Location" Link, you can view the interior of our funeral home. We are housed in a 7,000 square foot "full service" facility, with our crematory, larger chapel for conducting funeral and visitation services, smaller chapel for services of 25 or less, eat-in dining area, morgue-embalming facilities and products room for urns and caskets, are all located on the same grounds as our funeral home. We have the only built-in crematory in our state, that's located inside the interior portion of our funeral home in a completely finished room, adjacent to our chapel. We are located on the frontage road on U.S. Hwy. 17 Bypass, at the "Back Gate" or Farrow Parkway entrance into "Market Common" and directly across the highway from "TV 13" and "McDonalds" less than a mile from the airfield runways at Myrtle Beach International Airport.

The link below were unsolicited remarks made by recent families we served.

http://www.yellowpages.com/myrtle-beach-sc/mip/myrtle-beach-funeral-home-22233393

Like most full-service funeral homes, we are available (24/7) each and every day to assist families with a loved ones' passing. Our normal business office hours, however, are Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and for weekends by appointment only, such as, when having weekend funeral or memorial life celebrations for loved ones who have recently passed away. For services and appointments, please call ahead 843.293-4505. Our email address: [email protected] 

Biggest Misconception About Crematories: Most families assume all funeral homes have crematories on their property, so their loved one's remains will not be taken someplace else to perform the cremation, possibly at a business that the family may not be familiar with. Less than 10% of all FH's in the U.S. actually have, or own a crematory. We are, however, the only fairer priced cremation service provider in our area and state, that actually owns an on-site crematory located in the interior portion of our funeral home, in a comfortable living room setting, adjacent to our chapel.

This advantage allows us to present our cremation services in a more respectful and dignified manner during the cremation process of a loved one, and also aids in eliminating the possibility of misidentifying or misplacing a loved one's remains. Families can call ahead and view this much more respectful setting, if they would like, with many having done so. We are not embarrassed, but are proud to show the public our cremation facilities on our website, being the only lower cost-fairer priced funeral home in our state that actually does. Because of the way crematories are displayed, most funeral homes will not encourage, or even allow a family to observe the cremation, for this very reason or, you might have to drive to another location or warehouse to do so.

Some families find comfort and peace of mind, in knowing their loved one is being treated with the utmost honor and respect throughout the entire cremation process, once they visit our crematory or see images of it on our website. If you know of a loved ones friend or family that is struggling with grief, due to a loss, this Link could help. 

In the "Pricing" Link, read the differences in cremation offerings from the Direct Services for a burial or a cremation, to the 12-Step Complete Cremation Service Options: For families wanting a more detailed explanation for the services that are available in this option, a break down is explained in the 12-Step Shorter Version and a much more in depth explanation of government benefits and what to be aware of, is explained in the 12-Step Longer Version Explanation Section.

Urns, Jewelry, Keepsakes and other cremation memorial products can be viewed at the "Plan a Funeral" tab. After reviewing, please click the "reverse arrow" (top left) to return to this "Home" page.

Direct Cremation and Direct Burial Option Explained: Federal Law requires all funeral homes to price a basic, no services cremation, that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in their Funeral Service Rule, labels a "Direct Cremation." The only merchandise charge that the FTC requires funeral homes to itemize, and not to include in the package price for a direct cremation offering, is the retail price of a minimum basic cremation container that holds the loved ones' body for the cremation itself. This minimum container that's offered must meet Federal Law requirements, not conflict with the American Disabilities Act, and therefore, must be rigid in strength and leak resistant to contagious body fluids, in order to protect FH personnel. This minimum container must be offered to all families choosing a cremation option, instead of, or in place of a much more expensive casket as the families only choice, which is what was the practice before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) passed the Funeral Service Rule or Law. As is with most funeral homes, the container we use, does meet Federal requirements. The FTC also wanted families to be able to bring into the FH, their own containers to hold the body as well as the ashes, and not be forced to purchase any merchandise at the funeral home. Also, no cash advances are mandated by the Federal Government for this service either, such as, any obituaries, embalming, death certificates, register books, prayer cards, viewing of remains, any gatherings or memorial funeral services, etc. which are now required to be itemized and offered on a General Price List. That is why the U.S. Government names this service a "Direct Cremation" and they also require funeral homes to offer the same thing for a burial, which the FTC calls a "Direct Burial." Also, because removal of a loved one from place of death, is often out of the normal service area, or requiring additional assistance due to body weight and accessibility of a one-man(woman) stretcher, used in small or tight quarters, quite often during home removals, most funeral homes will itemize the removal fee, as well.  

"Forms Needed for all Services" located under the "Plan a Funeral" menu tab: Families, agents or legal representatives, can print-off and complete the forms required for: (1.) Authorizing a Cremation; (2.) Starting the Death Certificate process for either a burial or a cremation service; or (3.) have some Guidelines or Suggestions to follow when Writing an Obituary. (4.) Print a Funeral Planning Guide (5.) Print the Birth/Death Certificate Order Form. (6.) Print a generic cremation authorization that can be used at any funeral home. Other forms or guidelines listed, deal with Common Law Marriage, Same-Sex Marriage, Power-Of-Attorney and Living Will Forms. The 1st two forms are the only ones required by law for a cremation at our funeral home, and can be either faxed or scanned and e-mailed back to us. (please scan documents or forms, as a PDF file and photos as a JPEG file) If doing a prearrangement, the forms can be mailed, or if local, dropped-off at the FH. We can also, pick them up locally, or complete the forms in the home, if requested. Please do not scan and e-mail a loved one's obit, it needs to be typed into the e-mail itself, or sent as an attached "WORD" document and emailed to our funeral home at: [email protected] (Please call us to make sure we received any e-mailed information.) Families purchasing the 12-Step Package that do not have access to a computer, but want to publish an obit for a loved one, can simply bring us the information and we will make sure it gets taken care of.

When Placing Newspaper Obituaries: After reviewing this Link, all obituaries should be emailed to: [email protected]. We recommend that you review some of the obits in this section before starting a loved one's obituary, in order to learn how costly obits are, especially important if using the Sun News and most big city newspapers. Learn what procedures to follow when placing obits in newspapers. A huge misconception exist in the marketplace about obituaries, they are "NOT FREE" and haven't been for years. As newspapers consolidate in an effort to survive, prices usually rise dramatically and nothing is free like it use to be.  That's what has happened to the daily newspaper industry, due also in part, to folks now relying on the internet, smart phones and cable TV, to receive most of their news and not the printed word.

Because of pranks or jokes that have been perpetrated by some juveniles in placing false obits, most newspapers, because of fear of being sued, will only accept obits from funeral homes, or, at the very least will call a FH to verify a death. In response to some newspapers that over charge for obits, some families place a short obit in newspapers, directing family and friends to the much longer and complete obit on our funeral home website, where there is no charge. This could save the family several hundred dollars and is a free service with the 12-Step Cremation Option. Families simply end an obit with, Guest Book available at MyrtleBeachFH.com   

In the "Resources" tab, read what to do "When There is No Family" or responsible family, and see what caregivers, nurses, friends, neighbors and responsible government agencies should be aware of, but in most cases, are not.

Also in the "Resources" tab, learn what to do for "Cemetery Guidelines: Veteran or Civilian": See what OPTIONS you need to consider when calling and dealing with any private, corporate or government owned cemetery.

What is the Importance of Offering Refrigeration for loved ones remains, when most funerals in the U.S. do not?: We have multiple refrigerated morgue facilities, larger than any of the medical centers in our area. This advantage allows us to offer viewing of loved ones remains in the event of an autopsy, or if family members live out of state and can't arrive in a timely manner. This advantage also allows families to have closure, because research shows the human mind struggles with accepting the death of a loved one, until they can see for themselves that death has occurred. This option is offered in the 12-Step Cremation Plan at no additional charge. Also offered, we have a "Window Viewing Room" option to help families who have a loved one that was autopsied, but still want other family and friends to view their loved one, in order to help them get some closure, as well, and if at the same time, they cannot afford the $1,000 to $2,000 additional cost involved for embalming, which public health laws would require. The "Window Viewing Option" we offer in the "12 Step Plan" allows families to view their loved one and friend without the additional cost. To my knowledge, we are the only FH in the state that offers this option.

Select the "Directions" tab to see we are LOCATED within the 12 mile "Myrtle Beach" section of U.S. 17, called the Bypass, in the heart of the "Grand Strand," just South of the Myrtle Beach Airport and airfield-runways at the old "Back Gate" entrance to the former MB Air Force Base. It's now called Farrow  Parkway and is the new entrance that takes you to "Market Common," recently named one of the fastest growing areas in our State. Our FH is also directly across the highway from TV 13 and McDonald's and are on the "ocean side" of U.S. "17 Bypass South" and NOT "17 Business" or "Kings Hwy," which is what some "Direction Software might try to send you. With the new frontage road in front of our FH now completed, you can now take the (Hwy. 707) Socastee-Market Common Exit, onto Farrow Parkway, (old Back Gate entrance) drive 20-30 yards and take the very 1st right turn, (where a large brick sign reads, "LATITUDE") we will be the 1st building on the left you come to. (you will see funeral cars out front) We are always available 24-7, to answer questions, or to help families in their time of need. "Please call ahead when setting an appointment". (Local No. 843-293-4505; Toll Free No. 1-877-679-4505)

In the "Grief Support" Section, learn about Coping With Grief Of Any Kind: In this SECTION learn how to cope with the death of a loved one (spouse, parents, children, close friend, etc.) and what to say in any type of situation when a loved one has passed away, or a family member of a friend or co-worker has passed. Learn what to say and how to help children and teenagers cope with the death of a loved one.

$3,295 Full Traditional Burial Service SECTION: Includes a metal casket, available in a choice of five colors, services of FD and Staff, local removal to our FH, embalming, viewing or visitation service, eat-in dining area, funeral chapel ceremony or gathering service, "Memorial Tributes" video displayed on our widescreen TV's, on-line "Guest Book," and hearse service to the cemetery, for a total funeral home package price of $3,295, with "Green Burials" for $2,495. Families can also pick and choose different services offered, but in the $3,495 package price would include services at most local churches, as well as offering a traditional burial for even less, starting for $2,995, when the Services/Visitation are scheduled at a local cemetery only.

"Average Total Cost For a Burial": If you are interested in knowing what the "average" cost or charges are for a "Traditional Burial" from the Grave Plot, Grave Opening Charges, Monument Cost, Mausoleum Cost, plus all the services and merchandise from the typical MB area funeral home, all totaled together or, in other words, the total cost for everything, then read the SECTION entitled, "Traditional Burial Package, $3,395" on this website under the "Pricing" Tab.

Parking Facilities: We have ample parking for visitations or other services by utilizing our recently expanded parking lot, as well as permission to use "The Father's House Church" parking next door, just a few feet away and allows us to offer more parking facilities than any funeral home in Horry or Georgetown County.

Our FH Facility:(Can be viewed in the "Who We Are" Tab under "Our Location") We offer one of the area's newest on-site, computer operated crematories, that's not decades old like others. Because of this improved technology, we are able to place our crematory in the interior portion of our funeral home next to our chapel. We provide a comfortable dedicated 115 seat chapel, with which we offer "celebration of life, memorial or funeral ceremonies" for cremation or burial services. On the very rare occasion, when over-flow chapel services occur, we have two closed circuit T.V. rooms available, which then allows us to accommodate over 175 attendees comfortably for a service. We are the only fairer priced service provider in our area with an eat-in dining room, with kitchen, for families and friends to use at no charge, during visitations. Friends preparing the dining area for a reception that's to follow the funeral or memorial service, can actually view and hear services on our closed circuit T.V. while they are working.

Memorial Tributes Video: For families bringing photos of their loved one, to show as a video memorial, we can scan up to 40 pictures, at no charge, to be presented as a "Life Tribute" video during the visitation or funeral services held at our FH for either a cremation or a burial service. We would need the maximum 40 pictured, (1-2) days before scheduled services, or families can bring to us, any number (maximum of 120 photos) of already scanned JPEG images on a "thumb drive" or "memory stick" they want to use and we can show them as a video memorial during services as well. We also provide "catering services" for after-service gatherings held at the funeral home.

Music Selections: Our "state of the art" music room is internet driven through an i-Pad, using iTunes and can play most any song and artist selected by the family, thereby, helping to create a more meaningful "life celebration in music" in the loved one's memory. Usually 2 to 4 songs are selected by the family to be played during a chapel service, please let us know the song and artist selections the day before the service.

For live music selections in our main chapel, we have an concert grand piano and multiple microphones for singers, and an upright piano in our smaller chapel. A viewing of the loved one, plus the cremation with a celebration of life service, combined with use of facilities for a visitation service or gathering of family and friends is offered at a package price of $995, during normal business hours. Extra on weekends or after hours. This service also includes the memorial tributes video. This price is approximately $3,000 less than the other FH's in our area, that have facilities that can seat up to 175 attendees for services, or that have dining facilities for catering. Families that want a Memorial Service only, with their loved one's cremation, can do so during normal business hours for a total price of $995.

We serve a large area and provide quality service with attention to detail and many families say, offer "the most reasonable and fair prices of all funeral homes in the area, as well as the most helpful and educational website." For this reason, we serve families from Charleston to the Midstate, from Calabash-Ocean Isle, Bolivia to Whiteville, NC and over through the Pee Dee with our $795, 12-Step Complete Cremation with a modest mileage add-on for the extra transportation back to our FH.


Our Owner - Manager, Jim Bowdre, a former teacher and Summa Cum Laude graduate is and has been licensed actively in both North and South Carolina, receiving his first active license in Virginia and National Board Certification in 1974. After taking early retirement with a former "Fortune 500" company, he joined the staff of Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and as owner, does not take a salary from the business, preferring to keep his business overhead lower, so he can offer greater value to the families he serves. (See SECTION on "Why are FH prices so different")

Review what "financial support" the Veterans Administration and Social Security provide when a loved one passes away by reading the longer explanation version of the "12-Step Complete Cremation in the "Pricing" section.

Our Mission or Goal: is to help you know and understand the "total funeral and death-care process," as well as the advantages of using our services. "Knowledge is Power" and the more knowledge a person has on any particular event or subject in life, the more power they have in dealing with that event. This website is designed to give families and caregivers the knowledge and power they need in dealing with the loss of a loved one, as well as learning what is required legally when dealing with any U.S. based funeral home chosen, so you will not be taken advantage of, in your time of need.

In our "Resources" and "More Resources" MENU, discover about Death Under HOSPICE Care, in a HOSPITAL or a CORONERS Case Death: In the Sections dealing with "Where" or under what circumstances a loved one dies, choose the Tab you are interested in and learn what "Health Care" and "Death Care" Professionals, as well as families or legal representatives, have to do when a loved one dies, no matter where or when.

Most of the information on this website, although lengthy and in great detail, was researched and gathered from multiple sources during my 25 years of teaching continuing education classes to funeral directors and embalmers. This educational material can only be found in this concise format on this website. When being presented before professional organizations, I always hear the same comments, "I didn't know that" or "I will use this for staff training." I've even had funeral directors from outside the MB area, call and ask for permission to use some of the information on this website for their website. Hope you get something useful and educational as well.

Settling an Estate Guidelines: In this SECTION learn when it is necessary to probate a "Will"
and what surviving families, executors and personal representatives need to consider when settling an estate or business affairs of their loved one.

In "Why are FH PRICES so different" and "What To Ask When Price SHOPPING" sections, learn why different funeral home prices can vary so much, as well as,what terminology to use when calling a funeral home inquiring about their prices for different services.

We hear from families, caregivers and health care professionals, all the time, how helpful the information on this website has been. Thank you for taking your time in visiting us and hopefully some worthwhile information was received, as well.

Please call 843.293.4505 any time of the day or night, if you have questions or concerns. You may email us, as well, anytime by selecting the "Contact Us" tab on this website. Our Toll Free Number at the FH is 877.679.4505.

Our Fax No. 843.293.4507. Our E-mail Address:  [email protected] 

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

As our community is taking steps to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and as a critical service provider, we have prepared information to help you through this process. Per County mandate all visitors and employees are required to wear protective facemasks within the building until further notice.