Luff-Bowen Funeral Home

Luff-Bowen Funeral Home was started in 1879 as the L. J. Luff Company by Joseph Luff. It began as a general store which also sold and delivered “coffins” to customers who requested them. It operated out of a “General Store” atmosphere on North Church Street in Waverly, TN.

In the early 1900’s the business moved approximately three city blocks to Main Street on the town square in the McCracken Block where it operated until 1938. The Main Street location was operated by Joseph Luff and his son, Lucius Luff, along with Lucius children, Edmund P. Luff and Maggie May Luff. Maggie May Luff married Jess S. Bowen, Sr. on October 21, 1911 and he joined the family business. Jess Bowen, Sr. went to embalming school and became the first licensed embalmer in Humphreys County.

Luff-Bowen Funeral Home moved across the street in 1938 when Luff-Bowen Co. purchased the “Colonial Hotel” building at 104 East Main Street. The business has operated continuously from this facility since 1938. Operations have been conducted by Jess S. Bowen, Jr. and Jess S. Bowen, III, both generational descendants of the Luff and Bowen families. Luff-Bowen Funeral Home added a second funeral service location in McEwen, TN which was opened in July, 1975. A single level 6000 square foot facility which is ADA compliant. This facility has ample parking and is located on the main thoroughfare through McEwen with easy access. This facility is staffed and operated by the same staff that works the Waverly facility.