E M Coots' Sons

About

E.M. Coots' Sons Funeral Home has been serving families since 1860 with Funeral Planning, Pre-Arrangement Counseling/Funding, & Irrevocable Trusts

Story

Coots Funeral Home has been serving Southern Indiana for over a hundered and fifty years.

President James Buchanan was in the White House when the funeral home was established circa 1860 in the 100 block of East Chestnut Street. One year later, a lanky legislator/lawyer by the name of Abraham Lincoln took up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC.

In 1860, Edwin M. Coots came to Jeffersonville from Shelbyville, KY, where his father Reuben M. Coots had owned a funeral establishment built in 1830. Upon his arrival he founded what is now known as E.M. Coots' Sons Funeral Home in the 100 block of East Chestnut St. As quoted in the Jeffersonville Journal in August, 1897, "Coots was one of the first in the funeral profession to learn the art of embalming and in so doing steadily built his business." He continued serving the community until his death in 1907.

After his death, his two sons, Glover L. Coots and Froman M. Coots became partners in the business, which by that time had been relocated to the 400 block of Spring St. This partnership continued until the death of Glover in 1912. Froman managed the funeral home until his death in 1930 with the help of his nephew Edwin M. Coots II.

The operation of the funeral home, which had relocated to its present address of 120 West Maple St. in 1927, was taken over by Edwin M. Coots II. He continued to extend funeral service to the Kentuckiana area and was joined in the business by his son Edwin M. Coots III and grandson Edwin M. Coots IV. Edwin M. "Tuck" Coots died in 1987, leaving his son and grandson to continue his commitment to serving the community. This family owned and operated funeral home is now in its fifth generation of service to Southern Indiana.

E.M. Coots' Sons Funeral Home, one of the oldest businesses in continuous operation in Southern Indiana, expanded its facility for the fourth time in 1996. The new addition, which includes handicap accessible restrooms, new lounge area, and more chapel space, will allow the staff to continue providing compassionate care into the 21st century.