Our History
GOING BACK IN TIME
Our History
Cawley & Peoples Funeral Homes traces its origins back more than 150 years, with the oldest location in Lowell dating to 1869. Founded originally as Schneider Undertaking, the Lowell funeral home served families through generations of ownership, surviving events such as the historic Muskingum River Flood of 1913 and continuing its mission of care through changing times.
The Marietta funeral home was established in 1898 as Wieser & Cawley Furniture and Undertaking, reflecting the close relationship between furniture making and funeral service in the late 19th century. Over time, the firm evolved to focus solely on funeral care while maintaining its commitment to craftsmanship and service.
In 1977, Bill Peoples and his wife purchased the Marietta location, renaming it Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home. Two years later, Bill acquired the Lowell funeral home, uniting both locations under one name and shared philosophy of compassionate service. The Barlow location was added in the mid-1990s to better serve families throughout the region.
Today, Cawley & Peoples Funeral Homes continues under the leadership of Brian Scharff, representing the third generation of the Peoples family. Across seven generations and four families, the firm remains dedicated to honoring the trust placed in it by the communities it serves.
