Fort Gibson funeral home severely damaged by storms just months after reopening

The owners of Three Rivers Crematorium in Fort Gibson are trying to figure out their next steps after severe storms tore through their building, just four months after taking it over.

How bad is the damage to the funeral home?

Strong winds ripped a hole through the roof of the building, leaving insulation exposed and parts of the facility unrecognizable.

“We had a little patio area and then behind that was the garage area where the vehicles were kept, and that was completely blown away,” said Randy Brice, funeral director at Three Rivers Crematorium.

Was anyone inside during the storm?

No. Brice says he feels lucky no one was inside at the time.

Can the funeral home continue operating?

The chapel and reception areas were not damaged, and Brice says they hope to return once repairs are made. For now, they’re waiting on insurance adjusters to assess the damage.

What resources are available to other Fort Gibson residents?

Town leaders have declared a state of emergency. Anyone with storm damage is encouraged to report it at damage.ok.gov.