About Us
Celebrating life since 1948
As a proud member of the Knoxville community since 1948, we're honored to help families celebrate their loved ones. We pledge to ensure that every funeral and memorial service is deeply personal, fostering healing and remembrance.
Our promise
Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.
Dignity
Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.
Guidance
Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.
Legacy
Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.
Our story
Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory and Crematory has been the premier North Knoxville Funeral Home since 1948. In 2012, we became the only funeral home in Knox County to operate an on-site crematory. Whether you are in need of traditional funeral options or cremation services, we can accommodate any need, and any budget.
A 73-year tradition for funeral and cremation services in the Knoxville, TN and surrounding areas, we are proud to serve your family and our community.
Our incredible staff
Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.
Kirk Bivens
Manager, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator
Kirk Bivens is the Manager as well as a Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator with Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory and Cremations. He has a passion for serving families and providing meaningful and highly personalized services. Kirk studied Mortuary Sciences at Holmes Community College in Mississippi and is licensed in Tennessee and Mississippi. He lives in Maryville with his wife of over 32 years, Kathleen. They have three children: Brooke (David), Brianna (David) and Brett (Alyssa) and one grandson, Bo. He is a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville.
Dylan Karnes
Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator
In October of 2018 Dylan came to Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory with a deep desire to serve. His passion for the care and needs of the deceased was a perfect fit to our firm. Dylan holds an Associates Degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science and a Certified Crematory Operator Certificate from the National Funeral Directors Association. he is also a Notary Public.
Dylan is married to his wonderful wife, Ana. The two first met in an 8th grade math class and have been nearly inseparable since then. They do have plans to start a family in the future but in the meantime they continue to strengthen their relationship.
In his spare time Dylan attends church regularly and is an active member in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Dylan takes every effort to serve the families that come to our funeral home to the best of his ability.
Jerry Griffey
Partner & Licensed Funeral Director
Mr. Jerry Griffey, along with his wife Joan, assumed ownership of Gentry Griffey in May 1970. Jerry and Joan purchased the funeral business and continued the tradition of personal and caring service for grieving families. The staff with Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory and Crematory project that same dignity and respect for each and every family that is served. Gentry Griffey was selected as the only firm introduced into the National Selected Morticians that was already in the NFDA and the TFDA organizations. Jerry was president of the Greater Knoxville Funeral Directors Association for 3 years in a row.
To facilitate this, in June 2009, Jerry and Joan took new partners into the business. We carry on this tradition of service in the Knoxville community.
Sadly, Joan passed away in February 2015. After 45 years in business in the Fountain City Community, Jerry is now devoting more time to family, especially their children and grandchildren, to the community, and to their church family.
Megan Fritts
Administrator
Megan Fritts is our Office Administrator here at Gentry Griffey and has been an asset to our team since October of 2018. Megan’s personal experiences of loss have made her an invaluable member of our team as she is able to help families navigate their grief with kindness and understanding. She was born and raised in Knoxville before moving to Maryville, TN, in 2008 where she now lives with her two children, Ella and Koen. Megan has a deep passion for serving families in the funeral industry and looks forward to continuing to help them through their most difficult time for years to come.
Christopher Griffin
Funeral Assistant
Chris was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since he was a child it has always been his passion to be in Funeral Service. He is finally living his dream working with Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory and Crematory.
He lives in Farragut with his wife, Jamie, of three years. They have four children, Ashlynn, Katerina, Izaak, and Caysen.
Gary Gibson
Funeral Assistant
Gary was born and raised in the Halls Community of Knoxville, TN. He graduated from Halls High School in 1972. He is now retired but spent over 20 years of his life as a long-haul truck driver. Gary was married 42 years to the love of his life, Patricia Gibson, who passed away in 2019.
Gary is a life-long member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church of Powell, TN. He has always felt a calling to serve in funeral service but never got a chance to until recently. He came to Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory in January of 2020. In his spare time, Gary enjoys attending car shows and spending time with his family and his beloved pets.
Mark Murphy
Funeral Assistant
I grew up in Rhode Island. I graduated high school in1969, then I moved to California in 1971, worked as a Shipping and Receiving Director for a large carpet manufacturer until 1983 moved back home to help take care of my Dad that had Alzheimer's, he passed in 1986. I worked for a fabric textile manufacturer as a set up mechanic. I then moved to Florida in 1989. I worked at 7-11 as a Store Manager got promoted to a loss prevention specialist went to the University of 7-11 and then the University of Louisville to get my degree in Criminal Behavior and background investigations. I retired in 2006 and moved to Tennessee. Worked at Weigel's as District Manager and the Loss Prevention Director. I retired in 2019 and took some time off then went to work at Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory in 2021 as a Funeral Assistant and I got my Crematory Operator Certificate. This has been the most rewarding job I have ever had, Being able to fulfill a person's last wish and help their family face a very difficult time, losing a loved one.
A place of healing
We welcome you to explore the Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.
A time to honor, comfort and heal
We help create unique and meaningful memorial services to celebrate your loved one and begin the healing process for families and friends left behind.
We’ll take care of every detail
Unique Funerals and Tributes
Compassionate customer care
“Best service imaginable. Easy, compassionate, professional, convenient. Affordable and transparent pricing.”
Author:— Kyle Krahel-Frolander rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Kirk was the best. He made planning the cremation and service extremely easy. All the staff we met were very friendly and supportive and were there for any and all of our needs.”
Author:— Sharon Booth rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“They made a very difficult time as easy as possible for me.they were very friendly and helpful”
Author:— Susanah Mastrman rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“They were very helpful and understanding during our time of greif. I would recomend.”
Author:— David Cross rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Everyone was absolutely amazing. They all showed soooo much respect and compassion to our family. Never could have imagined have to get through this tragedy without there support .”
Author:— Lorrie Thatcher rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“They treated me like family and they took over all the paperwork I needed to complete, awesome folks, now I can breath. Thank you for all you have done for me and my family.”
Author:— Pam Rowsey rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We're hiring
Beyond the opportunity to truly make a difference, Gentry Griffey Funeral Home and Crematory offers competitive pay, a healthy work-life balance, and many opportunities for growth.