CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS
Funeral homes and funeral services in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area: 18 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 14-person team.
- Establishments
- 18CBP 2023
- Employees
- 256mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.2U.S. 4.5
- Rank
- 139th of 727areas by count
Funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 18 establishments classified as Funeral Homes and Funeral Services (NAICS 812210) in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area. They employed 256 people in mid-March and paid $10.5 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 139th out of 727 areas with published figures for funeral homes and funeral services.
Measured against its 427,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 4.2 funeral homes and funeral services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.5, so Gulfport, MS is 5.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 14.2 employees, compared with 7.1 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $41,000, 6.1% below the national $43,650.
| Measure | Gulfport, MS | Mississippi | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 18 | 201 | 15,183 |
| Mid-March employees | 256 | 1,361 | 107,566 |
| Annual payroll | $10,496,000 | $51,569,000 | $4,695,206,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 14.2 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $41,000 | $37,891 | $43,650 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.2 | 6.8 | 4.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS are
Of the funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS that had employees in March 2023, 57.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 49.3%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 8 | 57.1% | 49.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 42.9% | 28.5% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 16.6% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 5.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS use the phone for
Funeral homes receive calls at any hour, often at a family's most difficult moment, so every call must be answered with care. Coordination with clergy, cemeteries and florists also happens by phone.
Calls a funeral home in Gulfport, MS might handle in a typical week include:
- A family calls after a death at home.
- The funeral home calls a family to plan arrangements.
- A hospice calls about a transfer.
What funeral homes and funeral services text about
Funeral homes text service details to families who request them.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for funeral homes and funeral services in Gulfport, MS
The average funeral home in Gulfport, MS has 14.2 employees, so a 14-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 14 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $420.00 a month and 14 on Ooma Office Pro cost $349.30. Callata comes to $279.00 a month for 14 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,692 less than RingCentral for a funeral home in Gulfport, MS of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $279.00 | $3,348.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $266.00 | $3,192.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $322.00 | $3,864.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $349.30 | $4,191.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $378.00 | $4,536.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $420.00 | $5,040.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Gulfport, MS
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 228 has the most, with 247 of 260 exchanges (95%). A local number lets families in Gulfport, MS call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228 | 247 | Central | 1997 | none |
| 601 | 13 | Central | 1947 | 769 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for funeral homes and funeral services
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Gulfport, MS is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many funeral homes and funeral services are there in Gulfport, MS?
Census County Business Patterns counted 18 funeral homes and funeral services in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area in 2023. They employed 256 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 14-person funeral home?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 14 users cost $420.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $349.30 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $279.00.
What area code should a funeral home in Gulfport, MS use?
Area code 228 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 601. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a funeral home?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.