QUINWOOD- Seth Burke, a Greenbrier County native, is a husband and father of three who also runs an insurance agency. His interest in homing pigeons began in childhood, sparked by his uncle who kept pigeons.
Burke views the release of a dove at a cemetery as a profoundly peaceful and meaningful tribute for families during times of loss, and this belief anchors his work.
Burke launched his pigeon-focused business in 2000, paused it in 2014, and rekindled the venture in recent years. He is currently working toward full operation, with selective releases available now and the goal of being fully open by July.
In the interim, birds fly around Burke’s home area for several weeks to build confidence, gradually moving farther away as training progresses. GPS bands are used to monitor each bird’s distance and performance, ensuring accountability for every release.
A recent milestone occurred in Charleston, where a memorial release covered 55 air miles and the birds returned in about 1 hour and 28 minutes, traveling at roughly 40 mph with occasional bursts. Burke notes that his birds can exceed 50 mph at times, depending on conditions.
The core mission is simple: provide a meaningful, respectful service to families during funerals and memorials by combining a time-honored tradition with modern care and reliability. Burke has flown his birds at thousands of funerals over the years, always aiming to deliver a tranquil, memorable moment for grieving loved ones.
I can attest Burke’s pigeons were released at my mother’s funeral bringing us a comforting moment at the close of her service.
Looking ahead, Burke expresses gratitude for the support of Greenbrier County and the surrounding communities. He envisions expanding from selective releases toward a fully open operation in the near future, extending this unique tribute to more families while maintaining high standards of care and reliability.
To reach White Flight Lofts call 304-667-4336.
