History & Staff

Ever since we opened our doors in 1972 we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are a close knit community, a family dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Why Henson & Kitchen Mortuary?

In a nutshell... Experience, Professionalism, Family, Compassion, Empathy and Exceptional Experiences.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring families. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.

1972

The year was 1972 and the month was April and the landscape of East Pea Ridge Road in East Huntington, West Virginia near Barboursville was about to change. The vegetation that once occupied a certain tract of land would be commissioned to become the area’s premier funeral and cremation provider raising the bar for funeral and cremation care by offering exceptional care to many Cabell County, West Virginia and Tri-state area families. A group of friends came together with a single purpose led by Mr. Charles David and Loretta Henson and a plan was set in motion. With clear vision, the Henson family envisioned a new state of the art funeral home occupying that particular tract of land. The property located at 6357 East Pea Ridge Road would become the new home of Henson Mortuary which today is known as Henson and Kitchen Mortuary. The facility was designed as a one level, state-of-the-art funeral home. The funeral home began serving area families in October of 1972 and has become a staple in the community and is recognized as offering premier funeral and cremation services at an affordable price.

Henson & Kitchen Mortuary & Cremation Services was established in 1972, serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will. In 2010, Fred and Amber Kitchen, as successors to the Henson family, purchased the business and continued the vision and legacy to insure that our community would be served for many more years to come.

Fred H. Kitchen

President, Funeral Director, Embalmer and Cremation Arranger

Frederick H. (Fred) Kitchen is the owner of Henson and Kitchen Mortuary. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, an independent funeral and cremation business consultant and public speaker. He was formerly employed nearly seven years for North America's largest casket, urn and memorial provider, Batesville Casket Company, Batesville, IN.In 2018, Fred was appointed by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to serve on the West Virginia Board of Funeral Services Examiners state licensing board. He is a member at Christ Temple Church, Huntington, WV where he also serves on the board of directors. Fred is also a member and past president of the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. On January 10, 2019, Fred was appointed by the Cabell County Commission to serve on the Cabell Huntington Health Department Board.He has over 20 years’ experience as a funeral service licensee. He has served in various roles from funeral director-embalmer, pre-need councilor, local funeral home management and Licensee-in-charge and operations to providing funeral director training.He began his funeral service career with East Huntington funeral home, Beard Mortuary in the late 80’s and was also employed at a funeral home in Wayne, WV, Morris Funeral Home. He is a West Virginia licensed Insurance Agent, member and Ambassador of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice representing the state of West Virginia.He is a 1986 graduate of Huntington East High School, attended Marshall University and is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Jeffersonville, IN.He is an internationally recognized author offering professional business insight and personal contributions to death care, grief, and funeral service related professional journals published in the U.S., U.K., Russia, and The Netherlands.Service is innate for Fred being a pastor’s son and being involved in ministry and service related work in the Huntington, Barboursville and surrounding areas. He is a charter member of the Barboursville Apostolic Church founded by his parents.Fred and his wife Amber began the Huntington, WV “Hugs of Hope” chapter of Hugs Across America http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net collecting teddy bears, 12” to 14” soft cuddly and huggable bears and supplying them to emergency workers on the front lines where hurt, grief, trauma and disasters are experienced and is affecting children such as local police, fire departments, hospitals and medical centers, child protective services, judges, hospices, funeral homes and families of child abuse, etc.He enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Amber and two wonderful daughters, Annalise and Arabella.Fred is dedicated to serving area families in their most sensitive times, during the loss of a loved one providing the most dignified and professional care available. He is proud that Henson and Kitchen Mortuary is a locally owned and family operated funeral home.