John Northcutt, 63, top left, works to check a repair on the furnace at his family’s crematorium while his father Denny Northcutt, 86, sits in passenger seat of a hearse in Morehead, Kentucky, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2026. Denny opened Northcutt and Son 50 years ago, but in the last few years many of the responsibilities have been passed on to John. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

MOREHEAD, Ky.- Since birth, John Northcutt knew he would have a close relationship with death.

He and his parents lived in an apartment above the old Lane Funeral Home, where his father worked until they moved.

“My mother told me stories that sometimes I’d get a little loud while riding toys,” Northcutt said. “They would have to often quiet me down because there were families downstairs on a visitation or a funeral.”

John Northcutt, left, talks with Anthony Lovins about planning for his late-wife’s funeral at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. At midnight the night before, Lovins called Northcutt to tell him that his wife had passed in his arms. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

Denny Northcutt, center looks up toward his son, John Northcutt, left, as they greeted Anthony Lovins, center, and Tony Baker for a funeral consult at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

In 1976 John’s father, Denny Northcutt, finished building the family’s own funeral home, Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals.

Although he was only 13 when their funeral home opened, Northcutt said he was old enough to know this is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

Six years later, after attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary, Northcutt became a licensed funeral director and embalmer just like his father.

John Northcutt, left, and one of his employees carry a dead body out a house in Morehead, Kentucky, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. One of the deceased’s family members and her dog look out from inside the garage of the house. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

John Northcutt, left, and James Little mark out and prepare grave plots for funerals this weekend at Forest Lawn Memorial Garden in Morehead, Kentucky, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Northcutt said he liked getting to do outdoor work as it was a good way to clear his mind. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

Northcutt also serves as the assistant fire chief at the Morehead fire department and as Rowan County coroner.

In each of these roles, Northcutt said he typically deals with people on the worst day of their life and it’s his job to make a difference and make dealing with a loss a bit more bearable for them.

“I try my best to not let grief get me down,” Northcutt said. “These families are trusting me to take care of the situation, and I’ll do my very best for them. I’ll give it 110%.”

John Northcutt shines his shoes after returning from a funeral to meet with another family for a consultation at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Northcutt said it’s important to take care of his appearance when meeting with families especially since he’s always on the run. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

John Northcutt closes the curtain on the back of his hearse after picking up a body out in the country of Rowan County, Kentucky, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. In the past year, Northcutt said he started thinking about his own mortality when he had a cardiac incident last September which left him out of work for almost a month. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

John Northcutt, far right, consoles the family of Myrtle Gibbs during her funeral at Cranston Cemetery in Cranston, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. One of John and or his parents, Denny and Helen will drive the hearse for every procession their funeral home works on. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

According to Northcutt, though, last year he faced a wakeup call.

While on a firefighter call, one of his firefighters started having a heart attack, and upon arriving at the hospital with him, Northcutt started having cardiac event symptoms as well.

Northcutt said being in recovery made him appreciate his ability to be self-sufficient and lead by example even in times of distress.

John Northcutt, left, seen reflected off the top of a gravestone, points out which plot of land to mark off and prepare to dig for funerals this weekend at Forest Lawn Memorial Garden in Morehead, Kentucky, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. As his parents have gotten older and his father has slowed down, Northcutt said when they eventually pass, he hopes to continue serving familes that trust the funeral home to the best of his ability. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

John Northcutt responds to an injury wreck after someone flipped their car in a ditch in Morehead, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Northcutt always wears a radio around on his belt as he is constantly on call as the assistant fire chief in Morehead and the Rowan County coroner. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

Ultimately, he wants to uphold his family’s legacy, especially as his parents get older and his dad slows down, according to Northcutt.

“I’ll make some adjustments, carry on the family business and make sure that the families that trust in us are served to the very best of our, or my, ability,” Northcutt said.

John Northcutt yawns while working at his desk in the afternoon at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. The night before, Northcutt had to respond to three separate death calls which kept him awake until five in the morning. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog

John Northcutt drives his hearse back to the funeral home after picking up a body out in the country of Rowan County, Kentucky, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. The curtain in the back window was closed to give privacy to the deceased. Christian Kantosky/The Watchdog