about us

Caring Family Service Since 1930

The Garr Family represents over 100 years of licensed experience and compassion.

Continuous family-oriented service has been the hallmark of Garr Funeral Home since its beginning in March of 1930. In its earliest years, F. & A.M. Tower cared for families experiencing the loss of a loved one, assisted by their always-ready and dedicated colleague, Carlos A. Haas, who worked side by side with them for many years.

Upon the Towers’ retirement, funeral directing responsibilities were entrusted to Mr. Haas. Under his leadership, the funeral home was relocated from its original Schellers Street location in Sellersburg to the corner of U.S. Highway 31 and Allhands Avenue. This building, which served the community for nearly 25 years, was the first structure in the Sellersburg area built specifically as a funeral home. It featured a chapel, family room, and office—most importantly offering a warm, welcoming, family-centered atmosphere.

In 1959 and 1960, additions were made to include a formal chapel capable of seating more than 100 people. With open beams rising over sixteen feet, the space was designed to bring the beauty, reverence, and grace of a church into the funeral home setting for the families it served.

In 1965, Thomas Garr came to Sellersburg while attending the Kentucky College of Mortuary Science and began working at the funeral home. In 1972, he purchased the business from the Haas family, continuing its proud tradition of family ownership. As the community grew, the need for a larger, more modern facility became evident. With vision and foresight, Thomas and his wife Janet—who graduated cum laude from Mid-America College of Funeral Service and was also a Registered Nurse—set out to create a facility that would set the standard for funeral service in the area.

In 1994, the present facility was completed, and services began in the building that continues to serve Sellersburg and surrounding communities including New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Memphis, Henryville, and Charlestown.

Continuing the proud tradition of family service, Brian Garr joined the staff in 1988 after graduating from Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Brian and Tom Garr faithfully operated the funeral home together until their retirement in 2021.

At that time, the responsibility and stewardship of the funeral home were entrusted to Stacey Joseph Tompkins, a long-standing employee of the firm with deep roots in the community. Stacey grew up in Charlestown, Indiana, graduating from Charlestown High School in 2009, and continued his education at Indiana University Southeast before earning his degree in Funeral Service from Mid-America College of Funeral Service. He began his career as an embalmer with B&G Mortuary Service in Charlestown and, in 2013, moved to Sellersburg to serve families at Garr Funeral Home.

Today, Stacey and his family proudly continue the tradition of family ownership and personal care that has defined Garr Funeral Home for nearly a century. In an era when family-owned funeral homes are becoming increasingly scarce, the Tompkins family is committed to maintaining what they believe to be the gold standard of funeral service. Every aspect of the operation is personally overseen, ensuring each family receives compassionate, dignified, and attentive care.

Stacey and his family are also partners in Tompkins Monument and Burial Vault, allowing them to provide high-quality burial products not only for Garr Funeral Home, but to funeral homes throughout southern Indiana and Kentucky—further reinforcing their commitment to quality, consistency, and service at every level