ST. GEORGE — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday to mark the official opening of the McArthur Funeral Home and Cremation Center. The event included an open house and tours of the facility.

Unique to some funeral homes, McArthur Funeral Homes was designed to look like a spacious and inviting residential home, providing both a haven for those mourning the loss of their loved ones and a comforting environment to celebrate lives lost.

“We wanted it to feel and look like a home where people felt comfortable and people felt peace, a place where they feel like they’re coming home. We wanted it to feel light and open and home-like,” said Angie McArthur, the funeral home’s office assistant.

Her husband Jim McArthur, Jr. is the owner of the home, as well as the general manager and funeral director. He told St. George News they received amazing feedback about the look and feel of the facility during the open house. Many people commented about the beauty of the outside and how excited they were to see the inside for the first time.

While there are many fine funeral establishments in the area, the McArthur family hopes to do things a little differently. 

Jim said their facilities along with their technology capabilities for audio, visual and musical components are what sets them apart. Multiple screens throughout the building can display videos and photos of loved ones.

The facility offers one of the biggest indoor chapels. And unlike other funeral chapels, you won’t find any attached pews, which allows ample room to rearrange tables and chairs to create the space needed for a gathering. Their chapel can seat up to 170 people. Families can also have catered lunches and a full kitchen is available for use. 

The McArthur Funeral Home features a separate flower storage room. The room is temperature-controlled and has a key-coded entrance that allows vendors to drop off followers for the service at any time. An antique, horse-drawn hearse built in 1862 is available for use to transport a loved one’s body to the burial site.

Having a crematorium on-site means families can keep their loved ones in their care throughout the entire process. Choose from a traditional funeral service combined with cremation, which allows for a final viewing, visitation or wake, a memorial service, or a graveside service.

McArthur family history

The McArthur family history in funeral service began in 1843 in Athens, Illinois, where their third great-grandfather, James Mott, built his family funeral business, the Mott & Henning Funeral Home, which stands as one of the oldest continuing businesses in Illinois today.

The McArthurs said they are proud to carry on the tradition of compassionate and professional funeral service that has been provided since that time, and the antique funeral coach that sits outside the facility reflects their heritage. 

The family arrived in Washington County in 1861. Jim, who has 14 years of experience in the Utah funeral business and is noted as an expert embalmer, grew up in St. George. After taking a two-year hiatus from the funeral business, he said he realized he missed his true calling of helping others.

“It’s a very rewarding business that I don’t get in the other industries I’ve been involved in,” he said. “It’s really rewarding helping people through a difficult time.”

Angie said while her husband won’t toot his own horn, he’s exceptionally good at what he does and receives an outpouring of gratitude and praise from those with whom he works.

“A few weeks ago after a service, a woman came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and said, ‘Your husband is a miracle worker. He is one of the best funeral directors I’ve ever worked with,’” she said. “And it’s just his personality. He’s so good at what he does.”

Along with his wife, Jim’s mother and father Jim and Denise McArthur opened McArthur Funeral Home and Cremation Center the second week of January. 

Jim and Angie’s son and daughter-in-law live in the upstairs apartment of the McArthur Funeral Home and assist with the business. They cover night calls, first calls, cleaning and more and will soon help with services and other needs.

While each person will eventually deal with the loss of a loved one, the McArthur family hopes to help ease the burden.

“Our goal is to be there to help navigate and make it better,” Jim said. “It’s been great to have the compliments that we have had. People say, ‘Thank you for what you did for our mother, for our father, or our sister. I feel like we’re friends for life.’ Those kinds of things are why we do what we do.”

The McArthur Funeral Home and Cremation Center is located at 160 W. 700 South in St. George. For more information visit their website. Reach them at 435-652-2844 or email  [email protected].

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