Country Living

Pros

• Bartlett's arranged a very beautiful, very personalized funeral for my Grandmother.
• Nancy's act of kindness towards my brother is something I will never forget; she will be blessed for it forever.
• Bartlett Funeral Home has always been professional and compassionate.
• The staff was very heartfelt and kind while helping us through this difficult time; it was comforting to see how much they cared.
• Bartlett Funeral Home and Crematory received high praise for prompt, courteous, and available service.

Cons

• A reviewer alleges Nancy Bartlett grabbed their arm, dragged them from the graveside, coerced them into taking pictures, and harassed them.
• They say consent was not given and describe the interaction as an act of violence, with multiple witnesses present.
• The reviewer characterizes the owner's response as dismissive and traumatizing, citing a quote about not writing a journal.
• They accuse Bartlett Funeral Home of not taking accountability and of prioritizing image over mourners' wellbeing.
• The negative experience is described as overshadowing any positive feedback and reflecting poorly on how mourners are treated.

Review

Families describing Bartlett Funeral Home share a spectrum of experiences, ranging from deeply grateful memorialization to troubling accounts that cast a long shadow over what should be a healing time. On the positive side, many describe Bartlett's as a place that creates a beautiful, personalized farewell that families hold onto for years. One reviewer began with a glowing endorsement: "Bartlett's arranged a very beautiful, very personalized funeral for my Grandmother. They are the only funeral home we will ever use!" The sentiment reflects a sense of care, customization, and attentiveness that left a lasting impression for this family.

Alongside that praise, another voice in the reviews centers on acts of kindness and ongoing trust. "Nancy's act of kindness towards my brother is something I will never forget she will be blessed for it forever," one person wrote, highlighting a moment of warmth and compassion that stood out during a difficult time. Yet, within the same general thread of appreciation, there are reflections that the staff's professionalism and empathy extend beyond a single moment, with multiple reviewers noting that "Bartlett Funeral Home has always been professional and compassionate to me and my family." These statements collectively emphasize a reputation for supportive, respectful service in many circumstances.

However, the same collection of reviews also contains a deeply troubling personal account that centers on a specific event at a graveside and the behavior of a staff member. According to one reviewer, during the burial, "Nancy Bartlett grabbed me by my arm and literally dragged me from the graveside. She then coerced me into pictures, that I repeatedly protested. She kept telling me how pretty I was, and that she wanted pictures of me. She wouldn't stop harassing me, and under duress of the moment, I stood there while she took these pictures so that she'd leave me alone." The reviewer describes feeling coerced and distressed, noting that the moment of photography occurred despite repeated protests.

The account continues with critical details about the response to the complaint. The reviewer says they "emailed David Bolyard (the owner at the time) about it, and he responded very dismissively by saying, 'You can contact me at my cell, I am not writing a journal.'" This response is characterized in the post as "extremely disturbing and traumatic treatment," underscoring a sense of dismissal from leadership when a serious concern was raised.

In the same narrative, the reviewer later offers a thorough clarification, insisting that there was "absolutely no reception to Nancy Bartlett touching me, photographing me, and coercing me." They describe physically pulling away and verbally requesting that she leave them alone and not photograph them. They recount arguing with Nancy Bartlett in the presence of multiple witnesses and explain that they eventually posed for a single photograph only after the harassment continued. The reviewer pushes back on the idea that the gesture could be construed as "welcome," stating that consent was not given and that the initial action - "grabbing my arm" - felt coercive and violent to them. They emphasize that if the action were truly a gesture of comfort, the interaction would not have started with physical restraint and pressure.

Amid this specific complaint, there is also a pointed critique of the framing and management of the incident. The reviewer challenges the notion that the staff's behavior could be interpreted as something other than coercive, noting that there were multiple witnesses and asserting that the actions amounted to a lack of consent. They even confront the broader implication that one staff member's behavior could be a larger reflection on how the business handles difficult moments for mourners: "That's not comfort; it's a threat." The sentiment expressed is that accountability and transparency were lacking in the handling of the event and its aftermath, with the reviewer indicating dissatisfaction with how it was addressed by leadership at the time.

Despite the serious concerns raised in that particular account, other reviews in the same stream paint Bartlett Funeral Home in a very favorable light. Several reviewers speak to the staff's warmth, attentiveness, and readiness to help during an emotionally fraught period. Phrases such as "The staff was very heartfelt and kind while helping us thru this difficult time. It was comforting to see how much they really cared. I recommend them highly to anyone who's in need of service for their loved one. Thank you so much for your generosity," and "Everything was in order from the get-go. I recommend this funeral home for your consideration," reflect a consistent thread of gratitude. Additional statements, including "The staff went above and beyond during the hardest time in my life when my dad passed away. Nancy made sure that my mom was taken care of and was very pleasant. Thank you all for everything," reinforce a perception of dependable support, practical guidance, and a compassionate touch during bereavement.

Finally, a broader summary of the reception to Bartlett Funeral Home includes a mix of strong endorsements and pointed cautions. The repeated 5-star accolades - "Bartlett Funeral Home and Crematory gets 5 stars from my family during this difficult time! They were prompt with helping me make funeral arrangements in a timely manner, excellent in customer care when explaining the sequence of information needed, and were always available for questions. I can't thank this staff enough for their courtesy and compassion when losing a loved one. Thank you Bartlett Funeral Home!" - stand in contrast to the single, sharply critical account that centers on a specific incident and its alleged mishandling. Together, the reviews sketch a complex portrait: Bartlett Funeral Home is widely praised for its professionalism, accessibility, and compassionate care in many families' experiences, while at least one account raises serious concerns about consent, boundaries, and the management of complaints at a critical moment of loss.

Taken as a whole, the collection reflects a service culture that many families find deeply meaningful and supportive, while also illustrating how sensitive and potentially fraught human interactions can be in such high-stress settings. It underscores the importance of clear consent, respectful conduct, and responsive leadership when grievances arise. For some families, Bartlett Funeral Home represents a trusted partner in honoring a loved one; for others, it becomes the site of a painful memory that invites scrutiny and a demand for accountability.

This part of Grafton, West Virginia offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple restaurants nearby such as Cancun Restaurant and Subway, there are plenty of dining options for residents to enjoy. Additionally, there are several places of worship in the area including First Baptist Church and New Testament Fellowship Church for spiritual fulfillment. For healthcare needs, Grafton City Hospital and United Hospital Center are conveniently located within close proximity. Pharmacies like Preston Taylor Pharmacy and Walgreens provide easy access to medication and medical supplies. In terms of recreation, parks like Fetterman Park & Pool offer opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient setting for seniors looking to settle down in Grafton.

Restaurants

• Cancun Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Orange Julius (0.5 miles)
• Lesa's Place (1.4 miles)
• Subway (1.4 miles)
• Pizza Hut (1.5 miles)
• Loftis Lanes and Strike Twelve (1.9 miles)
• Tygart Shores Dining (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church (0.3 miles)
• New Testament Fellowship Church (0.9 miles)
• Blueville Church-The Nazarene (2.3 miles)
• Whitehall Church of Christ (8.8 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (9.9 miles)
• Everlasting Covenant Church (11.8 miles)
• Simpson Creek Baptist Church (12.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Grafton City Hospital (0.4 miles)
• United Hospital Center (11.4 miles)
• West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (11.4 miles)
• John Manchin Senior Health Care Center (11.4 miles)
• Mcmillion, Dale Dr - United Hospital Center Emergency Medicine (11.4 miles)
• Fairmont Clinic (12.2 miles)
• Fairmont General Hospital (12.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Preston Taylor Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Pleasant Valley Pharmacy (10.3 miles)
• American Pharmacy (10.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (10.6 miles)
• White Hall Pharmacy (10.6 miles)

Physicians

• Pinewood Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• Med Plus (10.3 miles)
• Dr Robert Flint, DDS (10.6 miles)
• Shalee Shumiloff, PA-C (10.6 miles)
• Premier Dr Skidmore & Dr Delaportas & Dr Watsons & Dr Moore (10.6 miles)
• Radiological Physician Associates (10.7 miles)
• Kristi Lafferty MSN CRNP-Dermatology Outreach (10.8 miles)

Parks

• Fetterman Park & Pool (1.3 miles)
• Tygart Lake State Park (1.6 miles)
• Valley Falls State Park (4.4 miles)
• Valley Falls State Park (4.7 miles)
• Morris Park (10.1 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.6 miles)
• North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) (11.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (12.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (11.2 miles)
• Stone Tower Brews (11.7 miles)
• Joe n Throw (11.8 miles)
• Winnie's (12.5 miles)
• Almost Heaven Desserts (12.6 miles)