History

Family owned and operated since 1976

Denny, Helen and John Northcutt

A desire to "serve every family as we would like to be served" motivated John D. (Denny) Northcutt to establish Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, Inc., a family owned business, in 1976. Denny began his career in 1959 as an apprentice and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1963. His son, John Palmer Northcutt, who grew up in a funeral home environment, became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in 1984. Helen Arnett Northcutt, Denny’s wife, John’s mother and a retired Morehead State University professor, became a licensed funeral director in 1984.

Another goal of the Northcutts in 1976 was to provide a home-like atmosphere in a building designed specifically for a funeral home. It was one of the first funeral homes in eastern Kentucky designed exclusively for a funeral home. A one-floor design with easy access throughout the building, spacious visitation rooms, and a church-like chapel with pews are still greatly appreciated.

Denny recalls, “From the time I served my apprenticeship until I built our facility, nearly all funeral homes in this area operated out of a private home that had been converted into a funeral home. My goal was to provide excellent service in a building with a home-like atmosphere designed specifically for a funeral home. Through the years, the building has been renovated and antiques acquired to reflect the culture and diversity of people in the region. In fact, some of our most cherished possessions are treasures of families presented as gifts. An iron dog paperweight, a Purple Heart, and an antique memorial folder of an infant are some of the items displayed in an oak cabinet that survived the 1920s flood.”

Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals is one of 15 Kentucky funeral homes selected by invitation to become a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule.

The Northcutt family has always participated in community service organizations and been active in professional associations. Denny currently serves on the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, a regulatory and licensing agency. He is past president of the Eastern Kentucky Funeral Directors Association and is currently serving as Vice President.

John, in addition to working at the funeral home, was reelected to his fourth term as Rowan County Coroner. He is a member of the Morehead Masonic Lodge #654, and also serves as Morehead Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief. John is past president of the KY Coroners Association and the Optimist Club of Morehead. A member of the KY Mass Fatality Team, John assisted in several retrieval efforts including Hurricane Katrina, Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, and a private plane crash near the Breathitt and Perry County line. John is married to Tina Johnson, a Rowan County Middle School Librarian and church youth leader. John and Tina are the parents of three daughters: Victoria, Alexandria, and Natalie.

Helen is past president of the Morehead Woman’s Club and Rotary Club of Morehead. She currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees at the Rowan County Public Library and is serving on the Kentucky State Fire Commission. She is also actively involved in the funeral home.

Northcutt & Son’s excellent professional reputation is based on providing caring, individualized, and affordable service with dignity and integrity before, during, and after the funeral service. People tell us they feel confident knowing that nearly always one of the Northcutts will answer the telephone or doorbell. People also appreciate knowing that, without exception, every family served has personal contact with the Northcutt family.

In a period of time spanning six decades and over 85 years of combined experience, the Northcutt family continues to dedicate their lives to serving families throughout the region. "Serving Others as We Would Like to Be Served" continues to be the goal.