Compassionate Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Wichita, Kansas
Immediate Need
We are available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days a week, including holidays.
Funeral Options
We offer a unique, personalized funeral experiences, designed to honor the life of your loved one.
Cremation Options
Choosing Cremation doesn’t limit your option. Discover new and innovative service options.
Your Trusted Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Wichita, KS
Downing & Lahey offers a complete range of funeral, cremation, burial, and memorial services from two convenient locations in Wichita. Our East Wichita chapel at 6555 E. Central Ave. is home to two on-site crematories, providing families with the assurance that their loved one will never leave our care. Our West Wichita chapel at 10515 W. Maple St. offers a warm, modern setting that comfortably seats 200 guests. Both locations feature live streaming capabilities for family and friends who cannot attend in person.
For over 100 years, we've been committed to providing families with the highest quality care and service in their time of need.
"We're here for you."
Receive Our Free Personal Record Guide
Planning for your funeral in advance can offer you and your family a number of benefits
Veterans
Downing and Lahey is well versed in the benefits offered by state and national veteran cemeteries in Kansas and across the country. Our knowledgeable team is here to assist your family in securing the honors and benefits you have rightfully earned. Let us help you navigate the process with care and expertise.
Respecting all Faiths
We welcome, honor, and respect all beliefs and traditions. When you choose our funeral home in East Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas, our compassionate team is here to provide support and gentle guidance in creating a meaningful tribute that reflects your faith, culture and customs.
Funeral and Burial Services
From traditional funeral services with visitation and ceremony to graveside committal services, our licensed funeral directors work closely with your family to design a tribute that reflects your loved one’s values, passions, and legacy. We offer a full selection of caskets, burial merchandise, markers, and monuments. Learn more about our burial services or explore options for green burials and veteran burial honors.
Cremation Services and On-Site Crematory
Choosing cremation does not limit how you honor a life. Many families choose a traditional viewing before cremation, while others prefer a memorial gathering afterward. Our cremation services include a full range of memorial and remembrance options, from personalized urns and keepsake jewelry to scattering ceremonies and columbarium placement. Because we operate our own on-site crematory at our East Wichita location, families receive an added level of transparency and peace of mind.
Pre-Planning for Peace of Mind
Many families find comfort in planning ahead. Pre-arrangement allows you to make thoughtful choices now, sparing your loved ones difficult decisions later. Pre-funding your plan can also lock in current pricing and protect against future cost increases. Request our complimentary Personal Record Guide to begin the process, or schedule a private consultation with one of our pre-planning counselors.
Why Families Choose Downing & Lahey
Unlike many funeral providers that are owned by publicly traded corporations and multinational conglomerates, Downing & Lahey has been locally owned and operated since 1913. The business is currently led by Allison Walden, Tom Morris, and Michael Morris, representing the fourth and fifth generations of the Downing family. Our decisions are made here in Wichita, by people who understand this community and care deeply about the families we serve.
Downing & Lahey is the only funeral home in greater Wichita that meets and exceeds the standards of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a professional organization that fewer than 7% of funeral homes nationwide are eligible to join. All of our funeral directors are licensed by the State of Kansas. This commitment to professional excellence is reflected in the hundreds of families who return to us generation after generation.
Honoring Every Tradition and Faith
Veteran Funeral and Cremation Services
Downing & Lahey is experienced in coordinating military honors and assisting families with veterans burial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We will help your family secure flag presentations, honor guard services, and committal ceremonies at national and state veterans cemeteries across Kansas. Let us know about your loved one’s military service, and we will handle the details with the respect and care they deserve.
Communities We Serve Across the Wichita Area
A Legacy of Family Ownership and Professional Excellence
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory has been family owned and operated since 1913, making us one of the longest-serving funeral providers in the Wichita, Kansas area. The business is currently owned by Allison Walden, Tom Morris, and Michael Morris, representing the fourth and fifth generations of the Downing family to serve this community. All of our funeral directors hold active licenses issued by the State of Kansas. Our East Wichita chapel at 6555 E. Central Ave. houses two on-site crematories, and our West Wichita chapel at 10515 W. Maple St. offers a modern, welcoming environment for services and receptions. We are proud members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a distinction that reflects our ongoing commitment to integrity, professionalism, and compassionate care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do when a loved one passes away?
If a death has just occurred, the first step is to notify the proper authorities, whether your loved one is at home, in a hospital, or in hospice care. Once that call is made, please contact Downing & Lahey. We’re the funeral home in Wichita, KS that families have relied on at any time. Our staff is available 24 hours a day to guide you through the next steps with care and clarity. We will handle transportation, necessary paperwork, and help you begin making arrangements when you feel ready.
What makes Downing & Lahey different from other funeral homes?
Unlike many firms that are part of national corporations, we are family owned and have been serving Wichita families for over 100 years. That means our decisions are made here, by people who understand the community and care deeply about the families we serve. We are also the only funeral home in the area to meet the rigorous standards of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a distinction that reflects our ongoing commitment to integrity, professionalism, and compassion.
Do I have to choose between a traditional funeral and cremation?
Not at all. Cremation is simply a form of disposition, but it doesn’t limit the way you honor a life. Many families choose to hold a traditional service with viewing before cremation, while others prefer a memorial service afterward. As a funeral home in East Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas, our team can help you explore all the options and design a service that feels right for you.
Can you accommodate religious or cultural traditions?
Yes. When you’re looking for a funeral home in Wichita, KS, it’s important that they can truly meet your family where they need. We are honored to serve families of all faiths and backgrounds. Whether you wish to incorporate traditional liturgy, cultural rituals, military honors, or a more contemporary celebration, we will work with you to ensure that every detail reflects your beliefs and values.
How much do funeral and cremation services cost?
The cost depends on the type of service, merchandise, and options you choose. We believe in transparency and will provide a written estimate for every arrangement so you can make informed decisions. Our goal is to offer meaningful services within a wide range of price points, ensuring every family can honor their loved one with dignity.
Is pre-planning really necessary?
Pre-planning provides peace of mind for both you and your family. It ensures your wishes are documented and relieves your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions during an emotional time. Many people also choose to pre-fund their plans, which locks in today’s prices and protects against inflation. Even documenting a few preferences with a funeral home in East Wichita, KS, along with West Wichita and the surrounding areas, can make a meaningful difference for your family later on.
What are my options for memorializing cremated remains?
There are many meaningful choices, including burial in a family plot, placement in a columbarium niche, interment in an urn garden, scattering in a special location, or keeping the urn in your home. We also offer custom memorial items such as keepsake jewelry and personalized urns. Our staff can guide you through all available options.
How do I arrange military honors for a veteran?
Our team is experienced in coordinating military services. We will help you secure the benefits your loved one is entitled to, such as a flag presentation, honor guard, or a committal service in a national or state veterans cemetery. Simply let our funeral home in Wichita, KS know about your loved one’s military service, and we will handle the details with respect and care.
Can services be livestreamed for family and friends who cannot attend?
Yes. We offer livestreaming and recording options so that loved ones near and far can participate in the service. This has become especially meaningful for families with relatives living out of state or overseas.
How do I get started?
If you have an immediate need, please call us anytime, day or night. If you’re interested in planning ahead with a funeral home in East Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas, we invite you to schedule a conversation with one of our counselors. You can also request our free Personal Record Guide to begin organizing your thoughts and documenting your wishes at your own pace.