Groce Funeral Home

12/21/2025

Please join us in honoring Antonio Tremaine Carson, Jr. A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 22 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. His family will greet friends at the funeral home on Monday from 2:30 PM until 3:00 PM.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Antonio Tremaine Carson, Jr., age 19, was taken from this world far too soon. Antonio had a smile that could light up any room and a spirit that drew people to him. A natural leader, he was always the

12/20/2025

Please join us in honoring Arnold "Gary" Jones. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Sunday, December 21 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with burial to follow at Payne Chapel Cemetery in Marshall. His family will greet friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Arnold “Gary” Jones, age 59, of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away surrounded by those who loved him. Gary was born to Mary Sue Bishop Jones and the late Arnold Earl Jones. In addition to his

12/20/2025

Please join us in honoring Raymond Eugene Anderson. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 20 at Freedom Christian Church.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Raymond Eugene Anderson, 60, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025. A native of Buncombe Co., Raymond was a son of Ellen Pike and of the late Don Anderson, and his late step-father, Elbert “Cor

12/20/2025

Please join us in honoring Leslie Dean Briggs. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 20 at Asheville Family Church on New Leicester Highway.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Dean Briggs, 64, passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2025. He was a devoted husband to Marilyn Briggs and a proud father to Josh, Patience, Cody, Dillon, and Jade. He was Grampy to his gran

12/19/2025

At Groce Funeral Home, our work is guided by values that go beyond words —
🌿 Respect. Integrity. Teamwork. Truth. Excellence.
Every family, every service, every moment matters.
🕊️ Because honoring life means living these values every day.

👉 Learn more about who we are: https://www.grocefuneralhome.com/

12/16/2025

Please join us in honoring Donald Fredrick Stucker. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, December 18 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with 2:00 PM burial to follow at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. His family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Donald Fredrick Stucker of Arden, NC passed away on December 13, 2025. He was born December 1, 1933 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Walter Stucker and Hazel Stucker Howard. In addition to his parents, Do

12/16/2025

This December, savor the warmth of a Single Serving Bread Pudding—rich, comforting, and just the right size for one. Perfect for cozy winter nights! Share with anyone embracing solo living.

Make a small batch of New Orleans-style bread pudding with a rich whiskey sauce. Soft bread soaked in spiced custard and baked to perfection.

12/15/2025

Please join us in honoring Jack Bishop. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 16 at West Asheville Baptist Church. His family will greet friends at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 until 2:00 PM. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday in Greenwood (SC) Memorial Gardens.

To view his complete obituary, please click here:

Jack Conrad Bishop, 94, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 13, 2025. Mr. Bishop was born in Landrum, SC, to the late Roy and Madge Hamrick Bishop. He was also preceded in death by his first wi

12/14/2025

Please join us in honoring longtime Groce Funeral Home staff member, Robert "Bob" Carl Fisher. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17 at West Asheville Baptist Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. His family will greet friends at the church on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the service begins at noon.

To view Bob's complete obituary, please click here:

Robert “Bob” Carl Fisher, Jr., 91, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was born in Proctor, NC (now Fontana Lake), in Swain Co. on September 1, 1934, to the late Robert Carl

12/14/2025

Please join us in honoring Elsie Rae Foster Howard. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 16 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Her family will greet friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:00 PM until the service begins at 1:00 PM.

To view her complete obituary, please click here:

Elsie Rae Foster Howard, 92, of Asheville, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Born August 24, 1933 in Buncombe Co., Elsie was a da

12/14/2025

✨ Happy Hanukkah! ✨

Wishing everyone celebrating eight nights filled with light, joy, and meaning. May the glow of the menorah remind us that even in times of darkness, hope endures, miracles happen, and small flames can shine the brightest. 🕯️💙

Chag Sameach and may your homes be filled with warmth, family, and peace.

Please let me know if this is good. Thank you so much and have a good day!

12/13/2025

We support and offer green burial options. Visit our website or ask a funeral director for more information.

Green burial depth 🌱

Green burial is often misunderstood because people assume all burials must be “six feet down.” That’s not how natural burial works.

Most green and natural burials are placed about 3.5 to 4 feet deep total, with state regulations typically requiring between 18–24 inches of soil covering the body or biodegradable vessel. The exact requirement varies by state and cemetery rules.

This depth is intentional because:
• The most biologically active soil is closer to the surface
• Oxygen supports natural, aerobic decomposition
• Plant roots, microbes, and fungi do the real work of return
• Deeper burial can slow decomposition by limiting oxygen

Green burial isn’t a shortcut or a modern trend, it reflects how humans were buried for most of history, long before vaults and heavy machinery.

Green burial isn’t about preservation or concealment.
It’s about working with the earth, not against it.

Always check state and cemetery-specific regulations, but know that shallow, thoughtful burial is both legal and ecologically sound.