Banister-Cooper Funeral Home

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Hiawassee, GA
Banister-Cooper Funeral Home

We are a family owned and operated funeral home and cremation service located in beautiful Hiawassee, GA.

We are a family owned and operated facility located in beautiful Hiawassee, Georgia. We have provided full funeral, cremation and transport services to Towns County and surrounding areas since 1934. We live and work in this community and are active with local organizations and events. In addition to being available when someone passes, we strongly encourage planning and are happy to sit down with you and pre-plan services to relieve family of those details as they grieve. We count it a privilege and an honor to serve families in their time of need. We are dedicated to you and your loved ones, because we believe in giving you our very best. About Our Funeral Director/ Embalmer:
Tamela Smith is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She has served as the funeral director at Banister's for 5 years before becoming the owner in 2017. Before coming to Banister's she worked in the North Georgia area for 4 years completing her apprenticeship, working under and alongside respected funeral directors and embalmers. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a funeral director. Her main goal is to comfort the family in their time of need and make their loved ones day as special and peaceful as possible. She is the mother to 3 children, resident of Towns County and a member at North Mt Zion Church of God.

10/31/2025

Come see us at Halloween at the Fairgrounds at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds 5-8p. We love seeing all the little ones this time of year.

10/16/2025

As we prepare for the 2025 memorial tree we want to reach out and let everyone know that the ornaments from last year are available for pickup at the funeral home. If you would like your loved ones ornament from 2024 please reach out or drop by.

09/18/2025

We’ll be there; will you?

As a reminder, we are hosting the Union General Health System Health Fair this Saturday, September 20th from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Pre-Registration:
September 15th – 19th | 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Visit the Chatuge Regional Hospital Information Desk to sign up for health fair lab work.

What to Expect:
• Free medical services & health exams
• Discounted lab work
• A great opportunity to take charge of your health!

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this community event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/11/2025

Pastor Donnie Jarrard paid tribute to the thousands of lives lost and bravery of the first responders that ran toward danger to save so many innocent lives on 9/11/01 in a beautiful ceremony on the Hiawassee Square today.
Commissioner Bradshaw appropriately likened it to our generation’s Pearl Harbor.
Hiawassee Mayor Chastain recognized veterans who have been honored with banners on the Square over the past year.
And Cody Harris, a veteran MP who served at Guantanamo Bay, shared a flag flown there and discussed protecting our freedom.
We are SO honored to be surrounded by so many veterans and patriots here in Towns County.

09/06/2025

We’ve sponsored the Enchanted Music on the Square in Hiawassee for years.
Come join us tonight for the final show of 2025 - rain or shine! If the rain holds off, we’ll be on the square; in case of rain, we’ll be in the Civic Center on the other side of the courthouse.

Hiawassee Music on the Square Committee is pleased to present a special extra concert, Saturday, September 6. It has been a great season, but it is not over!

🎶 Saturday, September 6 - Band of Steel
✨ THE FINAL Enchanted Music on the Hiawassee Square for 2025
🎸 Free concert (donations appreciated)
🎤 6:30 to 8:00 PM
📍 Main Street - Hiawassee Town Square Park

Join us on Saturday, September 6 to welcome from Union County, the Woody Gap School "Band of Steel." If you have heard a steel drum band, we know we will see you, if you haven't, don't miss this one.

The committee would like to thank you all for continuing to support us this summer, the weather has wreaked havoc with our schedule.

🎉 Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair.
🐶 Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)!
🌭 Come early (6pm) to enjoy the best grilled hot dogs and more from our VFW Auxiliary Food truck.

Thank you for your support each week! And thank you to our sponsors: City of Hiawassee, Banister-Cooper Funeral Home, Barrett Insurance, Service Master Restoration, Hiawassee Package Store, Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority.

You all help us continue this entertainment into our 26th year! 🌟🌟

🌧️ In the event of rain at concert time, this concert will be moved to the Towns County Civc Center next to the courthouse.

08/17/2025

We enjoyed the parade yesterday celebrating the 75th Annual Georgia Mountain Fair. We tried to post these pictures of the many creative floats and festive participants yesterday, but they somehow failed to upload. Let’s have another great fair this year! Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

08/08/2025

Congratulations Christy McClure at Clay County Schools

08/07/2025

Today, National Purple Heart Day, we recognize our brave warriors that were wounded in combat. Thank you for your sacrifice.

August 7th is National Purple Heart Day — a time to remember and recognize the courageous U.S. service members who were wounded in combat. The Purple Heart is more than a medal; it’s a lasting symbol of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation.

Today and always, we are deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice.

08/04/2025

We are doing a Back to School giveaway again this year for all of our local Teachers!! Nominate your favorite local teacher (or yourself if you’re a teacher) to win a bag of goodies! Drawing will be Thursday August 7th!!

Address

678 N Main Street
Hiawassee, GA
30546

Website

http://www.banisterfuneral.com/

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Our Story

We are a family owned and operated funeral home located in beautiful Hiawassee, Georgia. We have provided full funeral, cremation and transport services to or from Hiawassee, Young Harris, Towns County and surrounding areas since 1934. We live and work in this community and are active with local organizations and events. In addition to being available when someone passes, we strongly encourage planning and are happy to sit down with you and pre-plan services to relieve family of those details as they grieve. We count it a privilege and an honor to serve families in their time of need. We are dedicated to you and your loved ones, because we believe in giving you our very best. About Our Lead Funeral Director/ Embalmer: Tamela Cooper is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She has served as the funeral director at Banister's for 5 years before becoming the owner in 2017. Before coming to Banister's she worked in the North Georgia area for 4 years completing her apprenticeship, working under and alongside respected funeral directors and embalmers. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a funeral director. Her main goal is to comfort the family in their time of need and make their loved ones day as special and peaceful as possible. She is the mother to 3 children, resident of Hiawassee and a member at North Mt Zion Church of God.