New Ownership at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory

May 26, 2021

Murrell W. Thornhill IV New Co-Owner with Chris Tharp

For Immediate Release

Lynchburg, VA: Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. announced today that Murrell W. Thornhill IV has become an owner of the company.

Thornhill started in the industry at Community Funeral Home in Lynchburg, the first African American-owned funeral home in Lynchburg, established in 1946 by his grandfather, M. W. “Teedy” Thornhill, Jr., who also served as Lynchburg’s first Black mayor in 1990. Murrell Thornhill joined Tharp Funeral Home in 2014 and has served as Location Manager for the Lynchburg facility which is home to the company’s administrative offices, chapel, visitation rooms, and a cremation facility.

Thornhill stated: “Growing up and working with my Grandfather in a family funeral home, I know how that informs the way we treat the families we help – it’s a family serving family focus that puts the client’s needs first and foremost. When I decided to make a change, joining Tharp – another family-run funeral home with the same shared values I grew up with – it was an easy and obvious choice and it’s been a wonderful fit.”

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory was established in Bedford in 1961, by Glenn W. Tharp, the grandfather of Chris Tharp, who has been owner and president for over a decade. Under his leadership, the business has grown to have multiple locations across Central Virginia, including two on-site crematories.

Of the new ownership arrangement, Co-Owner Chris Tharp said: “Murrell is, quite frankly, the best funeral director and manager I have ever worked with and I couldn’t be happier to move forward with him as my business partner and co-owner.” Co-owner Thornhill added, “Having two third-generation family funeral professionals, one white and one Black, come together as co-owners to serve our community is historic in our region, especially given the history of racial segregation in the funeral business.”

About Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory is the most often-selected funeral home in Central Virginia and one of the fastest-growing funeral businesses in the state. With offices in Lynchburg, Bedford, Madison Heights, Smith Mountain Lake and Roanoke, the company offers comprehensive funeral, pre-planning and cremation services. Founded in 1961, the company currently employs 63 people and assists over 800 families annually.

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Planning ahead isn’t always something we naturally gravitate toward—especially when it comes to end-of-life decisions. It’s easy to put off, to say “someday,” or to assume there will always be more time. But preplanning your funeral or cremation arrangements is one of the most thoughtful and meaningful gifts you can leave behind for the people you love. What Is Preplanning? Preplanning is simply the process of making your final wishes known ahead of time. This can include decisions about burial or cremation, the type of service you’d like, music, readings, and even the small personal touches that reflect your life. It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, even a simple plan written down can provide clarity and comfort when it’s needed most. Why More Families Are Choosing to Plan Ahead 1. It Relieves Emotional Burden When a loved one passes, families are often faced with dozens of decisions in a very short time, many of them while navigating deep grief. By preplanning, you remove that weight. Your family won’t have to wonder what you would have wanted, they’ll already know. 2. It Protects Your Family Financially Funeral costs can add up quickly depending on services selected. Preplanning gives you the opportunity to guarantee certain services and merchandise, avoid future inflation, and prevent overspending during emotional decision-making. 3. It Ensures Your Wishes Are Honored Every life is unique and every service should reflect that. When you plan ahead, you can choose burial or cremation, select meaningful music or readings, and include personal touches that tell your story. 4. It Gives You Time and Control Planning in advance allows you to make decisions thoughtfully and without pressure. There’s no urgency. No rushed decisions. Just clarity and confidence. 5. It Brings Peace of Mind Knowing everything is taken care of allows you to focus on what matters most: living fully and spending time with loved ones. Preplanning Doesn’t Have to Mean Prepaying You have options: document your wishes, set aside funds gradually, or explore pre-need plans or insurance options. Families are guided through these choices with no pressure—just support and information. A Simple Step Today Can Make All the Difference Tomorrow Preplanning is about easing the path for those you love. It gives them space to grieve, remember, and heal—without added stress. Ready to Learn More? Click here to get started. Whether you’re ready to start a plan or simply have questions, speaking with a preplanning specialist can help you explore your options in a comfortable, no-pressure setting. Because the greatest gift you can leave behind isn’t just memories—it’s peace of mind.
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