Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Personalized Funeral Services in Fall River, MA
Hathaway Family Funeral Homes has served Bristol County families with compassion and dignity for over 130 years. Founded in 1893 by Ira Hathaway, our legacy of personalized care continues through four generations of family leadership. We specialize in creating meaningful funeral ceremonies, cremation services, and pre-arrangement planning that honor individual lives while supporting grieving families.Our team of licensed funeral directors combines traditional values with modern innovations to deliver exceptional service across six locations in southeastern Massachusetts. We maintain active community involvement through organizations like the Fall River Chamber of Commerce and local veterans' initiatives, ensuring our commitment to service excellence remains unwavering.
Services
Funeral Planning
Cremation Services
Veteran Honors
Pre-Arrangement Planning
Grief Support
Highlights and features
- We offer 130+ years of family-owned funeral service experience in Bristol County
- Our team creates personalized memorial tributes with music, video, and memory displays
- We provide specialized veteran service coordination with military honors expertise
- Our pre-need planning specialists help families prepare for future arrangements
- We maintain six conveniently located funeral homes across southeastern Massachusetts
What people say
Compassionate staff
Personalized service
Exceptional video tributes
Veteran service expertise
Professional and caring
Services
Funeral Planning
We create personalized funeral ceremonies that honor individual lives through music, readings, and symbolic elements. Our directors guide families in selecting visitation formats, procession details, and graveside services that reflect personal preferences. With expertise in both traditional and contemporary memorials, we help create meaningful tributes that facilitate healing through community support and ritual participation.
Cremation Services
Our cremation services include comprehensive planning for memorial ceremonies before or after cremation. We offer various cremation caskets and urn selections to create dignified tributes that honor individual preferences. Families receive guidance on memorialization options including scattering gardens, niche placements, and personalized keepsakes that preserve lasting connections with loved ones.
Veteran Honors
We specialize in coordinating full military honors for veterans' funerals, including flag presentation and rifle salute arrangements. Our team ensures families receive all available benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. With experience in planning ceremonies at national cemeteries and private locations, we provide respectful tributes that recognize service members' contributions while supporting grieving families.
Pre-Arrangement Planning
Our pre-need services allow individuals to document personal wishes for future arrangements. We provide comprehensive guidance on service options, cemetery selections, and financial planning to alleviate future burdens on families. With both in-person consultations and online planning tools, we help create detailed plans that ensure personal preferences are honored while providing peace of mind.
Grief Support
We offer ongoing grief resources including counseling referrals and support groups for individuals navigating loss. Our staff provides guidance on coping strategies and memorialization techniques that aid the healing process. Through personalized follow-up and community resources, we help families maintain connections with loved ones while transitioning through their grief journey.
People
William Hathaway Jr.
CEO
Third-generation funeral director with 50+ years experience, actively involved in community organizations including First Baptist Church and Fall River Chamber of Commerce. Leads family business with wife Ruth, overseeing six locations across Bristol County.
Ruth E. Hathaway
Clerk
Active community leader with 40+ years in funeral service administration. Served as Fall River Chamber of Commerce chairperson and church music minister. Coordinates genealogical research through the Hathaway Family Association with husband Bill.
William BT Hathaway III
Technology and Promotion Management
Fourth-generation funeral director with expertise in digital memorialization. Developed patented funeral products and award-winning memorial videos. Oversees technology integration across locations while maintaining hands-on family service commitments in Fairhaven.
Lynn Hathaway-Viveiros
Preneed and Administrative Management
Licensed funeral director specializing in pre-arrangement planning. Transitioned from administrative roles to lead pre-need services across all locations. Graduated valedictorian from FINE Mortuary College, balancing family care with community animal rescue initiatives.
Michael Roberts
Operations Management
Licensed funeral director and insurance agent with 20+ years experience. Manages daily operations while maintaining community ties through Elks Lodge and Jewish community organizations. Coordinates logistics for multiple location services with personalized family attention.
Questions
What types of funeral services do you offer?
We provide traditional funerals, cremation services, memorial ceremonies, and pre-arranged funerals. Each service includes visitation options, procession planning, and graveside ceremonies tailored to family preferences.
Can I plan funeral arrangements in advance?
Yes, we offer comprehensive pre-need planning with personalized documentation of wishes. Our directors help select service elements and coordinate financial planning to ensure future arrangements meet your preferences.
Do you provide military funeral honors?
We coordinate full military honors including flag presentation, rifle salute, and VA benefit utilization. Our team ensures proper recognition of veterans' service while supporting families through the ceremony process.
How do you personalize funeral services?
We incorporate music, readings, memory displays, and symbolic elements that reflect the individual's life. Our directors help create customized tributes through video memorials, themed decorations, and personalized keepsakes.
What areas do you serve?
We operate six locations serving Fall River, Somerset, Taunton, New Bedford, Attleboro, and Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Our staff provides services across Bristol County with local knowledge and community connections.
Do you offer grief support resources?
We provide grief counseling referrals, memorialization guidance, and community support resources. Our team offers follow-up care and practical advice for navigating the bereavement process.
