Berceuse; Newest Part of Family tradition

Over the past 104 years, the Smith family has passed down the values of quality, service, and compassion. Focusing on these values, R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home has recently opened a second funeral home that offers a unique combination of funeral services, in addition to a crematorium, and a pet crematory.

Located at 2609 Cunningham Drive in Hampton, this new funeral home offers spacious, versatile rooms that are perfect for allowing a greater personalization of funeral services.

Named to give the feeling of protection that is associated with the meaning of the word berceuse, Berceuse Funeral And Cremation Traditions provides funeral services in a way that is conducive to helping the feelings of surviving family members. Berceuse is a French word that is pronounced ‘burr-suzce’ and is translated ‘lullaby’ or ‘cradle song’.

"It's really a funeral home we've built to cater to some of the changing traditions in funeral service," said Kevin Smith, part of the fifth generation of Smiths to carry on the family business.

With two viewing rooms, one of which can be converted into a chapel, the new facility also has a cremation chapel, a unique feature in a funeral home. As cremations become a more popular option for final disposition, the need for such facilities has grown.

While continuing to accommodate these growing needs, R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home constantly works to preserve the value of their services.

"The goal was to be able to renovate this building and make it more useful for funeral service and not raise the prices of funerals," Smith said.

The pet crematory is set apart from the funeral home in its own area. It serves to give sanctuary to those in mourning for a beloved animal.

"Pets are a cherished part of the family," Smith said. "As people experience the death of a pet, they are often looking for ways to create memories, ways by which they can celebrate the life they have enjoyed with that pet."

Founded in 1901, R. Hayden Smith Funeral Homes continue to serve the community and invites you to come to see how its new facility is able to meet your needs now and in the future.

"We focus on what we can do for people at a time when they probably need the most care and attention."