The Wood Mortuary has been a family-owned business since 1902 and though they have offered burial and cremation services for more than a century, just last fall, it opened its first Wood Mortuary-owned crematory at Wood Memorial Park cemetery in Duncan.
“This has been in the works for a number of years and construction began in October of 2024. We officially opened in September of 2025,” Andrew Hines, crematory manager, funeral director and embalmer said.
In the past, The Wood Mortuary utilized private services but with the new addition to the mortuary, Hines believes the process will be more efficient and the mortuary will be able to offer comprehensive care throughout the entire process.
“People can rest assured their loved ones remain in our care throughout the process and everyone has been trained and licensed. We have five crematory operators employed here at the mortuary,” Hines said. “We now have a modern facility we can offer to the people of Greer and surrounding communities.”
In addition, options for cremation have expanded.
“It’s a personal preference but we’re now able to do the full service and visitation with the body present with a rental casket and the cremation afterward,” Greg Jones, manager at The Wood Mortuary said. “It gives families more options.”
The crematory features the latest equipment in the industry, including a viewing window for loved ones who want to be there during the process.
“Everyone grieves differently and some people want to be a part of that process. Others are pleased this option is available,” Jones said.
Jones has been a member of the team since 1976 and believes the familiarity among staff is a benefit as well.
“It makes a person feel more comfortable when they see a familiar face. They’ve known someone here for a long time and we’ve been helping their family along the way,” Jones said. “This is one of the only occupations I know of where someone walks up to you and you work with them for a few days and they thank you and are appreciative you for what you’ve done. Not many jobs create that kind of relationship.”
Whether families are interested in burial or cremation, Hines and Jones are glad to be able to offer all services available.
“Serving the people of Greer is very rewarding and even though we have this new, modern facility and we’re able to offer these services to the public, at the end of the day, it’s the people behind the facility that truly make the difference,” Hines said.
