Pate Funeral Home & Crematory

08/29/2026

Congratulations to the Pate Funeral Home Players of the Game, Drake Porter and Westin Ing!

🏈 Porter with 5 Touchdown Runs! Ing with a Blocked Punt! 🏈

Rangers beat Robinson 55 to 6.

Congratulations Rangers!!!

08/24/2026

Funeral Home, Funeral Parlor or Mortuary — Does the Name Matter?

You may have heard the terms funeral home, funeral parlor, and mortuary used interchangeably. While they can describe similar services, there is something that can make a true funeral home feel very different: the people who live there, work there, and take personal responsibility for the care being provided.

🏠 A Funeral Home
To us, a funeral home is more than a building with a sign on the front. It is a place that is lived in, maintained, and cared for by the people responsible for serving your family.

At Pate Funeral Home, our owners live on-site, providing an added level of availability, accountability, and personal trust. We aren't simply here during business hours. We are part of the home, the community, and the care that takes place here.

🕊️ A Funeral Parlor
“Funeral parlor” is an older term that traditionally referred to a place where funeral services and visitations were held. The term is still used in many communities, but its meaning has largely become interchangeable with funeral home.

⚕️ A Mortuary
“Mortuary” is another term commonly used for a facility providing care for the deceased and funeral services. Depending on the community and region, the terminology varies.

But here's what we believe matters most:

A name doesn't earn your trust. People do.

When you entrust a loved one to a funeral home, you should know who is caring for them, who is responsible, and who will be there when you need them.

At Pate Funeral Home & Crematory, we believe there is tremendous value in being personally invested in the place we serve. Living on-site means we have a personal connection to the care of your family and the condition of the facility—not just during a service, but every day.

Professional care. Personal accountability. A place you can trust.

That's what we believe a funeral home should be.

Pate Funeral Home & Crematory
Serving Families with Dignity and Respect in Southern Illinois Since 1928.

08/22/2026

Congratulations to the Pate Funeral Home Player’s of the Game, John Salatas & Cole Copple!

🏈 Salatas with three sacks & Copple with 2 interceptions! 🏈

⭐️ Rangers win at Herrin 18-6. ⭐️

What a great start to the 2026 season!

08/20/2026

Proudly Serving the Family of Sarah B. Prather.

1938 ~ 2026

View Sarah B. Prather's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/20/2026

Fun Fact: Steven 🥒🍅🐾

Did you know Steven at Pate Funeral Home has a passion for canning?! 👨‍🍳

This summer, he’s been putting that passion to work—canning up homemade salsa and pickles!🌶️🥒 There’s nothing quite like enjoying the fruits (and veggies!) of your labor all year long.

When Steven isn’t at Pate Funeral Home, you’ll often find him enjoying the company of his spoiled little sidekick, Luna Girl. 🐾❤️ Luna is a four-pound teacup Maltipoo who has a way of stealing everyone’s heart—and she definitely knows she’s spoiled!

Steven also enjoys getting out on side-by-side rides with family and friends, exploring the outdoors and enjoying everything nature has to offer. 🌲🏞️ And being a true Cancer ♋️, he loves spending time in the pool, firing up the BBQ, and enjoying good food and even better company. ☀️🏊‍♂️🍔

At Pate Funeral Home, we believe the people who serve our families are more than just their job titles. We’re real people with families, pets, hobbies, and passions—and we love sharing a little bit of who we are with the community we’re proud to serve. ❤️

Stay tuned for more Fun Facts about the Pate Funeral Home family!

08/13/2026

Behind the scenes, when services aren’t taking place, we’re continuing to find ways to improve and update our facility to better serve the families in our community. ❤️

One of the changes we’re especially proud of is our new Cremation Options Room.

Previously, our urn selection was tucked away in a selection room surrounded by caskets. While we had options available, we knew the experience could be more comfortable and personal. Selecting an urn shouldn’t feel like choosing from a closet—it should be a meaningful part of honoring your loved one.

Our new cremation room provides a comfortable, welcoming space where families can:

✨ View cremation products displayed exclusively for cremation

✨ Explore more urn and personalization options

✨ Take their time making selections in a peaceful environment

✨ See the many ways a cremation service can be personalized

As a funeral home with an on-site crematorium, we believe our facility should reflect the choices and needs of the families we serve.

We’re proud to offer more options, more personalization, and a more comfortable experience for families choosing cremation.

This is just one of the ways we’re continuing to grow, improve, and make our facility a place where families feel supported every step of the way. ❤️

08/07/2026

Proudly Serving the Family of Lana Kaye Wright.

1952 ~ 2026

View Lana Kaye Wright's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/04/2026

"Not every calling is loud. Some are quiet. Being a Funeral Home Assistant and Crematory Operator means showing up with compassion when families need it most. It's caring for someone's loved one with dignity, respect, and unwavering attention to every detail. The work happens behind the scenes, but its impact last a lifetime. It's more than a job to me. It's a commitment to serving families, honoring every life, and caring for the community." -Denise Minor

Denise Minor serves as Funeral Assistant, Certified Crematory Operator, and Community Outreach Director at Pate Funeral Home. A resident of Logan, Illinois, Denise was raised in Benton, where she developed the strong values of service, compassion, and community that continue to guide her today.

Denise is deeply committed to supporting families through one of life's most difficult seasons. Her gentle, genuine compassion and caring presence provide comfort to those experiencing the loss of a loved one, making her an invaluable member of the Pate Funeral Home team.

In addition to her work at the funeral home, Denise is a Deputy Coroner for Franklin County and the owner of Outbax Axe Throwing Venue in Logan, reflecting her passion for both community engagement and local business. She also retired with the rank of Major after a distinguished career with the Illinois Department of Corrections, where she dedicated many years to public service and leadership.

Above all, Denise treasures time with her family and grandchildren. Known for her creativity, warmth, and servant's heart, she is passionate about giving back to her community and is a trusted resource for the families she serves. Her experience, dedication, and compassionate spirit make her a tremendous asset to Pate Funeral Home.

08/02/2026

07/30/2026

Many of you have seen a new face around the funeral home the passed few months- Matt McGowan!

Matt grew up on the outskirts of Carterville and graduated from Herrin High School in 2014. Following high school, he traveled to Fort Benning to complete Army Basic Training and Infantry School. After his military service, Matt attended John A. Logan College, earning his Associate of Arts degree in 2022. He is the son of Melanie and Tim McGowan.

On May 9, 2026, Matt graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. Matt also recently sat for and passed both sections of his National Board Exam — a tremendous accomplishment as he begins his career in funeral service.

He plans to continue working within the funeral profession while furthering his education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Forensic Medicine through the University of Florida.