A field of cosmos flowers in soft black and white

Chattanooga · Family-owned since 1894

A legacy of serving our community,
a tradition of honoring lives.

Chattanooga's first African American funeral home, family-owned since 1894. For four generations the Franklin family has cared for our city's families with compassion, dignity and respect.

Call (423) 622-9995 Plan ahead

When you have lost someone, call any hour. We will take it from here.

How can we help you today?

There are two ways we walk beside you.

When a death has occurred

Immediate need

If you have just lost a loved one, you do not have to carry the first steps alone. Call us any hour and our staff will guide you with patience and care.

Call (423) 622-9995

Looking to the future

Plan ahead

Pre-planning records your wishes and eases the burden on those you love. Our licensed specialists make it simple, with no cost and no obligation.

Begin pre-planning

What we do

Compassionate care, every step.

View all services →

Funeral Services

Traditional funeral services planned with dignity, from visitation and ceremony to graveside committal.

Cremation

Respectful cremation, with or without a memorial service, and a selection of keepsake urns.

Memorial Services

A personalized service to celebrate a life, held in our chapel or a place of meaning to your family.

Burial Services

Complete burial arrangements, including caskets, vaults, liners and graveside committal.

Veteran Services

Honoring those who served, with full military honors and our Veteran Memorial Wall.

Pre-Need Planning

Plan ahead with confidence. Our specialists and licensed insurance agents help you arrange every detail in advance.

The Franklin legacy

Four generations, one calling.

Since 1894, one Chattanooga family has answered the same calling. Follow the line below to walk through their story.

1894

G.W. Franklin

Founder

George Washington Franklin opens the firm in the era of horse-drawn hearses, becoming Chattanooga's first African American funeral director and embalmer.

1900s

Benjamin Franklin

Second generation

G.W. Franklin's son Benjamin carries the family vocation forward, serving Chattanooga families through the early decades of the twentieth century.

1930s

Mabel Franklin Taylor

A daughter's devotion

Mabel Franklin Taylor joins her brothers in the family business, helping guide the firm through a changing city with the same compassion her father set in place.

1952

John P. Franklin Sr.

Namesake & civic leader

John P. Franklin Sr. leads the firm alongside his siblings. In 1971 he becomes the first African American elected to the Chattanooga City Commission, later serving as the city's first Black vice mayor and 20 years as commissioner of education.

Today

The Franklin Family

Fourth generation

John Sr.'s children, Cheryl Franklin Key and John 'Duke' Franklin, continue the tradition as a family-owned and operated firm, serving Chattanooga with the care their family began over 130 years ago.

Read our full story

The Franklin family at John P. Franklin Funeral Home in Chattanooga

0years of service

Why families trust us

A name Chattanooga has leaned on since 1894.

We are not a corporate chain. We are the Franklin family, the same family that opened these doors more than 130 years ago, and we treat every family we serve the way we would want our own to be treated.

Family-owned since 1894
Chattanooga's first African American funeral home
Four generations of compassionate care
Licensed directors, embalmers & pre-need specialists

National Funeral Directors AssociationTennessee State Funeral Directors & Morticians AssociationNational Funeral Directors & Morticians, Inc.

In the words of the families we have served

Carried with grace.

4.4 average · 72 reviews on Google & Facebook

“

Compassionate family that is a pillar of the community. Clean facility and very organized.

Adrian DelkGoogle

“

They gave my father a proper going home. Thank you.

Denise JonesFacebook

“

I love the employees and the way they care for the families.

Freddie L. BrooksFacebook

“

Amazing place with great family ties.

Wen JohnsonFacebook

Find us on Dodds Avenue.

Our doors are on Dodds Avenue in Chattanooga. Stop by during office hours, or call us any hour of the day or night.

Address1101 Dodds AveChattanooga, TN 37404

Office hoursMonday to Friday · 8:30am to 5:00pm

Phone(423) 622-9995Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Get directions

Good to know

Questions families often ask.

What should I do when a death occurs?

Call us first at (423) 622-9995, any hour of the day or night. Our staff will guide you through the immediate steps, arrange transfer into our care, and help you begin planning when you are ready.

Are you available 24 hours a day?

Yes. A death can happen at any time, so we answer our phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Office visits are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, or by appointment.

Do you offer cremation as well as burial?

Yes. We offer full funeral and burial services, cremation with or without a memorial service, and a range of caskets, urns and vaults to fit every family and budget.

Can I plan a funeral in advance?

Absolutely. Pre-planning lets you record your wishes and ease the burden on your family. Our licensed pre-need specialists and insurance agents will walk you through every option, with no obligation.

Do you serve veterans?

Yes. We are honored to arrange military honors for those who served, and we maintain a Veteran Memorial Wall to keep their memory.

Do you help with obituaries and out-of-town arrangements?

Yes. We assist with obituary writing and publication, in-house program design and printing, and both domestic and international shipping when a loved one must travel.

Reach our family

Tell us how we can help.

Whether you need us today or simply have a question, send a note below and we will respond with care. If you need us now, please call.

☎Available 24 hours a day(423) 622-9995

1101 Dodds AveChattanooga, TN 37404Get directions →

Office hoursMonday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

info@johnpfranklinfh.com

A legacy of serving our community,a tradition of honoring lives.