Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Kings Mountain

“I was impressed at the beginning of the process with the friendliness and professionalism displayed to my father-in-laws family as we planned the final arrangements. My father-in-law was to be cremated, which required his remains to be taken to Hendersonville, NC. We were told that sometimes obtaining the physicians signature for the death certificate may delay the process, but Hospice was involved and usually they were faster. The cremation would be on hold until the paperwork was completed. All the arrangements were made and the Memorial Service was planned for 8 days later. Payment in full was given all Clay-Barnette was to supply was Announcement cards and ashes. Unfortunately, there was a death within an employees family in the Clay-Barnette organization. As a grieving family ourselves, we understood the situation and stress involved. But, we were not contacted by any other employee for Clay-Barnette, the entire time things began falling apart. No one contacted us that the death certificate was delayed, that the cremation was delayed. My wife contacted them on the fifth day, to determine the status of the process and make sure everything would be ready. After being told of the status, we were not given a clear timeline to when the ashes would arrive. Every day forward, we, the family had to contact Clay-Barnette for status. The day of the service, it was revealed to us the ashes would not be present and the stationary was not ready. I cannot begin to express the disappointment! Everything that was promised from Clay-Barnette was not what happened. Clay-Barnette did bring the stationary product before the service. It was determined about 30 minutes into the receiving of friends that the last name was wrong, similar but all together wrong. At which they brought new ones and we had to replace the ones already given out. Again, I can't not express the disappointment I felt watching my wife struggle at the loss of her father and dealing with Clay-Barnette. I watched as the family struggled to explain to their mother what was happening. All we kept hearing is "I am sorry" and then, "I am sorry, I was not the person that dropped the ball". The ashes were delivered the next day. I am not sure why I wrote this, because, what else could they do, but say, "I am sorry". But I do hope I could be sparing someone else from having a similar experience of watching their family struggle.”

— Dennis

“My Dad was very insistent on using Clay Barnett of Kings Mountain when it was his time. And we did. We met the day after he passed. Went over what they offered, and all the details at that time. I felt good about our decisions. They were very convincing that my Dad and our family would be taken care of. Sadly, we were truly disappointed and let down immensely. Every service we paid for, upfront ,was delivered to us, but later than we were told. And still is. I pray no family who is grieving their loved one has to suffer from the added stress that this funeral home placed on our family.”

— Anne Breakfield

“HIGHLY disappointed in this funeral home after what occurred with my grandpa's arrangements. My grandpa was a well known preacher among Kings Mountain and for this place to have had over a week to return his remains to us and DID NOT is unacceptable. Having his body sent to a crematory in Hendersonville THE DAY of his service is unacceptable. Misspelling his name within the programs is unacceptable. God forbid this would happen to a family member of the staff. We will not use this funeral home moving forward. The apologies are warranted.”

— Kathryn Norris