Waller Funeral Home Set To Open West Hall Expansion

Since 1977, Waller Funeral Home has served the Oxford community and is set to officially open their new West Hall addition with a grand opening Thursday, October 20 at 11:30 a.m.

West Hall was completed over the past year, with hands on help from the owner, Don Waller who at 84-years-old helped clear the asphalt from the parking lot that once stood where the renovation took place. The 3,000-square-foot addition sets out to offer families an option other than a traditional funeral home setting.

“West Hall is more open, and less like a traditional funeral home,” Sally Kate Walker, third generation funeral director, said. “It offers an option for families who prefer a less traditional atmosphere.”

Featuring a catering kitchen, fully licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Health, West Hall offers food and beverage options for visitation, receptions and meals. While families can choose to bring food, menus are offered and can be prepared by funeral home staff. Walker said that this service will do its part in taking some of the burdens off of those going through a difficult time.

“This space allows families to have a place where they can focus on being together as a family rather than worry about cooking, cleaning up and finding a place in their own homes for everyone to be comfortable,” Walker said.

Walker’s grandmother Patsy, who opened and owned the home until she passed away, would’ve welcomed the addition of West Hall.

“She would’ve been so tickled,” Walker said with a smile. “She certainly would’ve appreciated the southern tradition of offering food to visiting friends.”

The West Hall renovation is in no way a replacement for the existing services offered by the funeral home; the original wing was updated as recently as 2014 with all new furniture and artwork. The addition of West Hall is about giving more options to honor and celebrate lives well lived. Waller Funeral Home has always set out to make people comfortable and assist them as they go through a difficult time, and they built West Hall with that in mind.

“People have always treated our traditional spaces like home, and we truly hope that over time people will feel just as comfortable in West Hall and come to think of it as another place where they can feel at home,” Walker said.

While West Hall is a part of the funeral home and operates as such with visitations, services, etc., the space can also be reserved for luncheons, as well as a general meeting space for locals. West Hall’s motto is “honoring tradition, respecting change,” and with a new twist to what a funeral home can offer, Waller Funeral Home wants to ensure everyone can honor their loved ones in a unique and comfortable way.

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 

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