Mountain Empire Cremation and Burial Services

08/20/2026

Funeral Director Truths #2:

Long before the service starts,
we're watching forecasts.
Do we need umbrellas?
Extra water?
Shade?

Families have enough on their minds. We want them focused on honoring their loved one,
not worrying about the weather.

08/20/2026

Todd Mitchell Franklin

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Todd Mitchell Franklin, age 64, on August 17, 2026, at his residence.

Todd was born April 10th, 1962, in Johnson City, Tennessee, a son of the late Luther Andrew and Bobbie Lorraine (Murphy) Franklin. He at...

View Todd M. Franklin's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/19/2026

Cremation is not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Families have many options when it comes to honoring a loved one through cremation, from simple arrangements to personalized services and meaningful memorials. Our team is here to answer questions, explain choices, and help each family create a tribute that feels right for them.

Read more at our blog: https://birdeye.cx/rxs075

08/17/2026

Ephesians 6: 10-18

Donald Edward Gryder, 78, of Johnson City, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026 at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was born in Erwin, TN and is the son of the late Charles and Elva (Roberts) Gryder.

Don grew up in the Valley Beautiful in Erwin, TN. Donald gra...

View Donald Gryder's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/16/2026

This month in “Remembering Their Story” we’re looking back at the King himself - Elvis Presley, who passed away on August 16, 1977.

Behind the fame, friends and family remembered a man who never forgot where he came from. Elvis was known for quiet, spontaneous generosity—gifting cars, homes and even cash to people he barely knew.

His funeral was held at Graceland two days after his death. Thousands of fans came to pay their respects, and an estimated 80,000 people lined the route as the funeral procession traveled through Memphis to Forest Hill Cemetery. He was later laid to rest in Graceland’s Meditation Garden, where people from around the world still visit today.

Every August, fans continue to gather at Graceland to celebrate his life—a reminder that how we’re remembered often has less to do with what we accomplished and more to do with how we made people feel.

💛 What’s a story you’d want people to tell about you?

08/14/2026

Funeral Director Truths #27: We can tie a necktie faster than a NASCAR pit crew.

It is one of those little skills that comes with the job. Whether it is helping a family member before a service or making sure every detail looks just right, funeral directors are always ready to step in where needed.

08/07/2026

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have received the Purple Heart.

Their courage, sacrifice, and service will never be forgotten. We are grateful for all who have given so much in service to our country.

08/06/2026

People first. Purpose always.

At the heart of funeral service is a simple promise: to care for families with compassion, respect, and purpose in every detail.

From the first phone call to the final goodbye, our team is here to serve with professionalism and heart.

If you are interested in working for a people first company, see our jobs here:

https://www.heritagefamily.com/join-our-team/

08/06/2026

FALL BRANCH – James R Shepherd, 78, passed away peacefully at the Life Care Center of Gray on August 4, 2026, after a lengthy illness. Born in Kingsport on March 8, 1948, Jim lived in New Jersey for 45 years, having returned to the Kingsport area in 2015, following his retirement.
James is predec...

View James Russell Shepherd's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/05/2026

We are launching a new monthly feature called "Remembering Their Story" and we are first featuring Marilyn Monroe, who passed away on August 5, 1962.

Behind the icon, those who knew her remembered someone warm, funny, and endlessly curious — an avid reader who kept a personal library of hundreds of books, always eager to learn something new.

Marilyn Monroe's funeral was a small, private service at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Attendance was limited to only 25 of her closest friends, family, and colleagues. She was laid to rest in her favorite emerald green sheath dress and a solid bronze casket lined with champagne satin. The service was arranged by her ex-husband Joe Dimaggio who continued to place roses on her grave at Crypt No. 24 in the cemetery's Corridor of Memories multiple times a week for decades, in an act of profound love for the actress and the legacy she left behind.

Her public image was carefully built, but her legacy reminds us that fame rarely tells the whole story of who someone really was to the people who loved them.

✨ Sometimes the truest way to remember someone is through the small, quiet details only the people closest to them ever knew.