A gentle, complete guide to finding obituaries, honoring loved ones, sending condolences, and understanding every service offered by Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home across Columbia, Sumter, and McCormick, South Carolina.
About Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Inc.
Since 1988, Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Inc. has stood as one of South Carolina’s most respected and trusted funeral providers — built on a single, unwavering principle: “Service by Professionals.”
Founded and led by David E. Tompkins, Sr., owner and CEO, the funeral home has grown from its roots in Columbia into a multi-location operation serving families across the Midlands and beyond. What has never changed is the core commitment that Tompkins established from the beginning: integrity, honesty, and uncompromised care for every family that walks through their doors.
“As the seasons change, so too does life. Since 1988, Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Inc. has been committed to serving families in our community with dignity and respect by providing quality services, complete professionalism and true compassion when dealing with life-changing events.”
— Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Inc.Today, Bostick-Tompkins operates three full-service locations — Columbia, Sumter, and McCormick — each staffed by well-trained, cross-trained funeral professionals who are prepared to assist families at any hour. The team also manages Serenity Memorial Gardens, a private 3.5-acre cemetery in Columbia that gives families an end-to-end care option entirely within the Bostick-Tompkins family of services.
Bostick-Tompkins is also known for its shipping services — helping families whose loved ones passed away out of state or whose family members live elsewhere arrange transportation with care and professionalism.
How to Find Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home Obituaries
Bostick-Tompkins publishes obituaries through their own website and several major platforms. Here is every place you can find current and past obituary listings:
Visit the official obituaries page
The most up-to-date source is bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings. This page lists all recent obituaries across all three locations — Columbia, Sumter, and McCormick. It is updated as new services are arranged and is always the primary, most accurate source.
Search Legacy.com — Columbia location
Legacy.com hosts obituaries from the Bostick-Tompkins Columbia location with options to leave condolences, send flowers, and subscribe to email alerts. Visit Legacy.com — Bostick-Tompkins Columbia for this location’s obituary archive.
Search Tribute Archive — McCormick locations
Tribute Archive lists obituaries from the McCormick area Bostick-Tompkins locations with chronological listings and memorial options. Visit Tribute Archive — Bostick-Tompkins McCormick.
Call the nearest location directly
For recently posted or pending obituaries, or for confirmation of service details, calling directly is the fastest approach. Staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Columbia: (803) 254-2000
- Sumter: (803) 848-4002
- McCormick: (864) 852-3160
How to Search for a Specific Obituary
When you know who you’re looking for, use these steps to find their obituary as efficiently as possible:
Open bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings
Navigate to bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings. The page loads recent obituaries automatically — if the service was recent, scan the listings first before using the search feature.
Use the name search field
Enter the person’s first name, last name, or both. Partial searches work — try just the last name if you’re unsure of the spelling. Results update to match your search.
Open the full obituary
Click the person’s name or listing to open their complete obituary. This page contains their biographical information, surviving family members, service schedule and location, and options to leave condolences or send flowers.
Note the service location and timing
Service details specify which Bostick-Tompkins location is hosting the service — Columbia, Sumter, or McCormick. Confirm which address you need before making arrangements to attend. Each location’s address and directions are listed further in this guide.
If not found — try Legacy.com or call
If the obituary isn’t yet on the Bostick-Tompkins website, try the Legacy.com listing or Tribute Archive. For the most current information, call (803) 254-2000 directly.
What a Bostick-Tompkins Obituary Includes
A well-prepared obituary is more than an announcement — it is the first written record of a person’s life, a public tribute that family and friends will return to for years. Here is what a typical Bostick-Tompkins obituary contains:
- Full legal name and any names the person was known by Including beloved nicknames that reflect who they truly were in the community
- Age and city of residence at the time of passing
- Date of passing and, when shared by the family, brief circumstances
- Biographical narrative — life story, birthplace, upbringing, faith, education, career Written with care to capture the essence of the person, not just their dates
- Hobbies, passions, and what they meant to their community
- Survived by — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and close friends
- Preceded in death — those who passed before them
- Service schedule — visitation times, funeral or home-going service, and graveside service Including the specific Bostick-Tompkins location address and any church or outside venue
- Clergy and music details when shared by the family
- Memorial donation requests in lieu of flowers, when specified
- Photograph of the deceased, when provided by the family
- Links to condolence form, flower ordering, and grief support subscription
How to Leave Condolences & Tributes
A written condolence is one of the most meaningful gestures you can offer a grieving family — and it costs nothing but a moment of your time and care. Bostick-Tompkins makes this easy for anyone, regardless of where they live.
Open the obituary page at bosticktompkinsinc.com
Navigate to bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings and click the person’s name to open their full obituary listing.
Find the condolence or tribute section
Scroll down the obituary page to find the condolence form, guest book, or tribute area. This may also be accessible through Legacy.com if the obituary is hosted there — Legacy.com has a robust tribute platform with additional options including virtual candle lighting and photo sharing.
Write from the heart
Enter your name and your message. There is no required format. A specific memory shared — “I will always remember when…” or a simple “You are in my prayers during this time” — carries enormous weight for a family in grief. Even a few words are received with gratitude.
Submit your message
Submit and your condolence is added to the online guest book, visible to the family and others who knew the person. Many families revisit these messages in the days and weeks after the service — your words become part of the lasting memorial.
How to Send Flowers to a Bostick-Tompkins Service
Flowers offer a visible, tangible expression of love and sympathy. Sending an arrangement to a Bostick-Tompkins service allows the family to see the breadth of support surrounding them during one of their hardest moments.
Find the “Send Flowers” option on the obituary page
Each obituary listing at bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings includes a link to order sympathy flowers through a local florist partner. Click it to browse available arrangements.
Choose an appropriate arrangement
For visitation and funeral services, standing floral sprays and arrangements are traditional. For the home after the service, potted plants and smaller bouquets are practical and lasting. Always include a personalized card message with your order.
Confirm delivery location and timing
Identify the correct Bostick-Tompkins location from the obituary — Columbia, Sumter, or McCormick — and ensure your florist delivers at least 2 hours before the service begins. Call the location directly to confirm the delivery address and service timing:
- Columbia: (803) 254-2000 · 2930 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
- Sumter: (803) 848-4002 · 353 Manning Avenue, Sumter, SC 29153
- McCormick: (864) 852-3160 · 6300 Highway 28 South, McCormick, SC 29835
Consider a memorial donation if requested
Check the obituary carefully — many families today request donations to a named charity in lieu of flowers. If both options feel right, a modest arrangement paired with a small donation beautifully honors both the family’s request and your desire to send something tangible.
Subscribe to Obituary Alerts & Grief Messages
Staying connected to your community means never missing word about someone you know. Bostick-Tompkins makes it simple to stay informed:
- Email alerts at bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings Subscribe on their obituaries page to receive a notification each time a new obituary is published across any Bostick-Tompkins location
- Legacy.com obituary alerts for the Columbia location Sign up at the Legacy.com Bostick-Tompkins listing for email notifications
- Tribute Archive alert subscriptions Subscribe at Tribute Archive for McCormick area obituary notifications
- Daily grief support messages — one full year Bostick-Tompkins offers a year of daily grief support email messages — available at the bottom of any page on bosticktompkinsinc.com. A thoughtful, free resource for anyone navigating loss.
Full Services Offered by Bostick-Tompkins
Bostick-Tompkins is a full-service funeral home — meaning they can handle every aspect of honoring a loved one’s life, from the moment of passing through the final committal. Every service can be adapted to fit the family’s cultural, religious, and personal traditions.
Traditional Funeral Service
Visitation, viewing, funeral or home-going service, and committal — personalized with cultural and religious traditions, held at any Bostick-Tompkins chapel, a church, or private home
Cremation Services
Full range of cremation options including direct cremation, funeral service before cremation, and memorial service at any time — with or without the urn present
Memorial Services
A time to remember your loved one — held shortly after death or weeks later. Can be at the funeral home, the final resting place, or your home. No urn required.
Graveside Services
An intimate outdoor committal at the graveside. A meaningful option for families who prefer a private, simple farewell in a natural setting
Immediate Burial
A dignified burial without a public service — a straightforward option for families who prefer a private farewell or have specific religious requirements
Shipping Services
Professional transport of remains to and from out-of-state locations — coordinated with care for families whose loved ones passed away elsewhere or whose family lives far away
Pre-Arrangement Planning
Document your wishes in advance — licensed in South Carolina, arrangements can begin at home online and be finalized in a comfortable meeting with the Bostick-Tompkins team
Burial Clothing & Urns
A wide selection of burial clothing and cremation urns available to meet each family’s budgetary and personal needs — all handled with sensitivity and respect
Cremation Services at Bostick-Tompkins: Your Options Explained
Cremation has become an increasingly chosen option for many families because of its flexibility. Bostick-Tompkins provides a thoughtful range of cremation paths, each designed to ensure that the choice of cremation in no way diminishes the dignity or meaning of the final tribute.
- Traditional funeral service followed by cremation A full service — visitation, viewing, and home-going — held before cremation. This is the most common approach for families who want both a full tribute and the flexibility cremation provides afterward.
- Direct cremation without a public service The simplest, most private option. The body is cremated shortly after death with no formal service at the funeral home. Families may hold a private memorial at any time afterward.
- Memorial service after cremation — with or without the urn present Hold the service days or weeks after cremation, when family can travel, when the timing feels right. The urn may be present or simply represented by a photo and flowers.
- Urns: retain at home, scatter, or bury The ashes may be kept in an urn at home, scattered in a meaningful location (per local regulations), or buried in a grave or columbarium — allowing for a graveside service and a permanent resting place.
- Columbarium options Bostick-Tompkins can discuss columbarium placement at Serenity Memorial Gardens or other local cemeteries for families who wish to have a fixed memorial site even with cremation.
Serenity Memorial Gardens — Bostick-Tompkins’ Personal Cemetery
One of the most distinctive aspects of Bostick-Tompkins is that they own and operate their own cemetery — Serenity Memorial Gardens — a 3.5-acre burial ground located at 1101 Buckner Road, Columbia, South Carolina.
This means that Bostick-Tompkins families can, if they choose, handle everything in one place — from the funeral arrangements to the final resting place — without coordinating between separate organizations. For many families, this continuity of care brings meaningful comfort.
3.5 Acres of Private Cemetery
A peaceful, well-maintained cemetery exclusively available to Bostick-Tompkins families — providing a personal and dignified resting place
Columbia, SC Location
1101 Buckner Road, Columbia, South Carolina — conveniently located for families served by the Columbia main office
Seamless End-to-End Care
Funeral arrangements and cemetery placement all handled by the same trusted Bostick-Tompkins team — eliminating the need to coordinate with a separate cemetery organization
Available for Burial & Cremation
Serenity Memorial Gardens accommodates both traditional burial and cremated remains — including graveside services at the cemetery itself
For more information about Serenity Memorial Gardens, contact the Columbia office at (803) 254-2000 or visit bosticktompkinsinc.com.
Pre-Arrangement Planning: Protecting Your Family Before They Need Protection
Pre-planning is not about dwelling on death — it is about loving your family enough to spare them from the heaviest decisions at the heaviest moment. Bostick-Tompkins is licensed in South Carolina to help you document your wishes fully, so that when the time comes, your family has a clear, compassionate roadmap.
Begin from home — no pressure
Visit bosticktompkinsinc.com/pre-arrangements and complete as much of the online pre-arrangement form as you’re comfortable with. The form is not a contract — it is a starting point for a conversation. Fill in what feels right and leave the rest for your meeting.
Document your core wishes
State whether you prefer burial or cremation, where you’d like to be laid to rest, what type of service you envision (traditional, graveside, memorial, home-going), and any specific elements that matter to you — music, readings, people you’d like involved.
Meet with the Bostick-Tompkins team to finalize
The team will follow up to schedule a comfortable meeting at the location nearest you — Columbia, Sumter, or McCormick. This meeting is the opportunity to review all options, ask questions, and finalize your preferences in a formal pre-arrangement document.
Tell your family where your wishes are documented
The most important final step: make sure at least one trusted person in your family knows you’ve made arrangements with Bostick-Tompkins. Share the funeral home’s contact information with them. A pre-arrangement that no one knows about provides little comfort in an emergency.
Grief Support & Daily Messages
Bostick-Tompkins understands that their care for a family does not end when the service concludes. Grief is not an event — it is a process that unfolds over months and years. Their ongoing support resources reflect that understanding.
Daily Grief Messages — One Year
Subscribe to receive a grief support message every day for a full year. Each message is designed to offer strength, comfort, and perspective through the ongoing journey of loss. Subscribe free at bosticktompkinsinc.com
Grief Support Resources
The Grief Support page offers articles, guides, and tools for navigating bereavement — covering everything from the early days of acute grief to longer-term adjustment
Social Security Benefits Guidance
The Social Security Benefits page at bosticktompkinsinc.com guides surviving family members through the process of applying for eligible death benefits — a practical resource often overlooked in the immediate aftermath of loss
General Info Guide
The General Info page provides a practical step-by-step guide for everything families need to handle after a death — from notifying insurance companies to managing the deceased’s accounts
What to Do When Someone Passes — A Step-by-Step Guide
In the immediate aftermath of a death, it can be hard to think clearly. Bostick-Tompkins is available at any hour to guide you through the first steps — but here is what to expect:
Call Bostick-Tompkins immediately
Call (803) 254-2000 (Columbia) or the location nearest you. The first call does not require decisions — simply notify the funeral home that a death has occurred. A trained staff member will take it from there, asking only what is needed to begin care.
Gather basic information
For the initial call, Bostick-Tompkins may ask: the full name and address of the deceased, where the death occurred (hospital, home, nursing facility), name and contact of next of kin or family representative, and any pre-arrangement information if it exists.
Schedule your arrangement meeting
The funeral director will set a time for you to come to the Bostick-Tompkins office to complete the formal funeral arrangements. This is where service type, timing, and personalization choices are made. Bring the items listed in the helpful tips section of this guide.
Contact your clergy if desired
If you would like a pastor, minister, priest, or other faith leader to officiate the service, reach out to them as soon as possible — both to share the news and to discuss their availability for the service dates being considered.
Let Bostick-Tompkins coordinate the details
From here, the Bostick-Tompkins team handles the coordination of all funeral details — including the obituary, the arrangement of the chapel or service space, notification of appropriate agencies, and all logistical elements. Your role is simply to be with your family and let the professionals handle the rest.
Funeral Home Worksheet & Family Forms
Bostick-Tompkins provides several downloadable forms and worksheets that help families prepare before their arrangement meeting — reducing stress and ensuring nothing important is overlooked.
- Funeral Home Worksheet A comprehensive worksheet to help families organize all the information needed for funeral arrangements — available on the Bostick-Tompkins website
- Family Obituary Information form A structured form that helps families compile all the biographical details, family information, and personal memories needed to write the obituary
- Authorization for Cremation and Disposition Required legal authorization form for families choosing cremation services
- Authorization for Release of Human Remains Required for transport or release of remains, including shipping services
All Three Bostick-Tompkins Locations
All three Bostick-Tompkins locations are fully staffed, fully equipped, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for families in need. Each location features family viewing suites, a casket selection and display room, and chapel facilities.
Columbia — Main Office
Columbia, SC 29203
Sumter
Sumter, SC 29153
McCormick
McCormick, SC 29835
Map — Bostick-Tompkins Columbia (Main Office)
📍 Get Directions → 2930 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
Helpful Tips for Families Navigating Loss
When You Need to Call Right Away
If a death has just occurred — at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility — call Bostick-Tompkins at (803) 254-2000 immediately. You do not need to have any answers. You do not need to know what kind of service you want. The sole purpose of the first call is to notify the funeral home. They will guide everything else.
What to Bring to Your Arrangement Meeting
- Full legal name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security number of the deceased Required for the death certificate and official documentation
- A recent photograph for use in the obituary
- Clothing for the deceased, if burial is chosen Choose something they loved wearing — something that reflects who they were
- Any pre-arrangement documents, if they existed
- Information about military service if the deceased was a veteran The DD-214 form is needed to arrange military honors and access VA burial benefits
- Names, relationships, and cities of residence for surviving family members For the obituary — the funeral home needs this information to prepare the listing
- Preferred cemetery or resting place, if already decided
- Contact information for clergy or officiant if you have someone in mind
Taking Advantage of the Social Security Benefits Guide
Many families are unaware that surviving spouses and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security death benefits. The Bostick-Tompkins website includes a dedicated Social Security Benefits page that walks families through the application process. Don’t leave money unclaimed — this resource is worth reviewing in the first weeks after a loss.
The Shipping Services Are More Important Than You Think
Bostick-Tompkins’ shipping services make them a particularly valuable resource for South Carolina families with loved ones living or passing away in other states — or for families elsewhere who have a member passing in the Columbia, Sumter, or McCormick area. This professional transport coordination is handled with the same dignity and care as every other service they provide.
Family Viewing Suites Offer Privacy When It Matters Most
Each Bostick-Tompkins location features dedicated family viewing suites — private, comfortable spaces designed for families who need both the physical viewing of a loved one and the emotional space to grieve together without the presence of others. If privacy during the viewing is important to your family, ask the funeral director specifically about arranging a family-only viewing period.
Don’t Wait to Pre-Plan
If this experience — helping someone else navigate loss — has prompted you to think about your own arrangements, that is one of the most natural and healthy responses to grief. Bostick-Tompkins makes pre-planning simple, unhurried, and entirely available to begin from home at bosticktompkinsinc.com/pre-arrangements.
All Resources & Links
| Resource | Link / Contact | What It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Official Obituaries Page | bosticktompkinsinc.com/listings | All current obituaries — most up-to-date source |
| Official Website | bosticktompkinsinc.com | All services, pre-planning, grief support, locations |
| Pre-Arrangements | bosticktompkinsinc.com/pre-arrangements | Begin pre-planning from home — no pressure |
| Services Overview | bosticktompkinsinc.com/our-services | Funeral, cremation, memorial, graveside options |
| Grief Support | bosticktompkinsinc.com/grief-support | Grief articles and daily message subscription |
| General Info (After Death) | bosticktompkinsinc.com/general-info | Step-by-step guide for families after a death |
| Funeral Home Worksheet | Funeral Home Worksheet | Organize information before your arrangement meeting |
| About Us / Ownership | bosticktompkinsinc.com/about-us | History, ownership, values, and facilities |
| Contact Page | bosticktompkinsinc.com/contact-us | All location addresses, phone numbers, and fax |
| Legacy.com — Columbia | Legacy.com Columbia | Obituaries, condolences, flowers, email alerts |
| Tribute Archive — McCormick | Tribute Archive McCormick | McCormick area obituaries and memorials |
| Columbia Phone | (803) 254-2000 | Main office — 24/7 availability |
| Sumter Phone | (803) 848-4002 | Sumter location — 24/7 availability |
| McCormick Phone | (864) 852-3160 | McCormick location — 24/7 availability |
| Serenity Memorial Gardens | 1101 Buckner Road, Columbia, SC | Bostick-Tompkins’ private 3.5-acre cemetery |
| Directions — Columbia | 2930 Colonial Dr, Columbia SC | Google Maps to main Columbia office |
| Directions — Sumter | 353 Manning Ave, Sumter SC | Google Maps to Sumter location |
| Directions — McCormick | 6300 Hwy 28 S, McCormick SC | Google Maps to McCormick location |
Frequently Asked Questions
Note: This guide is published by FuneralHomeObituaries.org as an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Inc. For the most current obituary listings, service details, and arrangements, always visit bosticktompkinsinc.com directly or call (803) 254-2000.