Our business began in 1866 as the R.H McFadden Company. As was customary in those days, the business was a hardware store and lumber yard, complete with an 'undertaking' department, which sold 'funeral furnishings', such as caskets, casket hardware, cloth for interiors and exteriors, etc. We continue that business today as the oldest continually-operated funeral service establishment in the state of Arkansas, and the third oldest existing business in Pine Bluff. Times changed, and the business evolved into a full-service funeral firm over the years. Our company's history is the history of funeral service in the United States, as many firms have gone through the same transformations. Mr. McFadden, a native of South Carolina, came to Pine Bluff in the late 1850's. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and started his business in 1866. He retired in 1902 and died in 1905. In 1887, McFadden hired a young apprentice, Harry I. Holderness, who was a native of Dallas County, Arkansas. Holderness bought the firm from Mr. McFadden in 1902, and the firm was known as the H. I. Holderness Company. Mr. Holderness was the first president of the Arkansas State Board of Embalmers. He was very active in establishing professional education and licensing requirements, and was honored with embalmer's license number one. Mr. Holderness died in 1950. Mr. Holderness had several partners throughout the years, and took on Texas-native S. E. South as a partner in 1938. Mr. South purchased Mr. Holderness' remaining interest in 1941 and the business became known as South Funeral Home. Mr. South died in 1978. Phil Hale of Hot Springs purchased the business in 1975 from Mr. South and owned it until January, 2006 when he sold the business to Charles E. 'Chuck' Fuller of Pine Bluff. Charles E. Fuller Funeral Services was founded in 1998. Chuck has over 39 years of experience in the funeral service field, and served in management of two other funeral homes prior to opening his own business. We are proud to merge traditions and serve as Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services.
In 1997, Funeral Choices of Chantilly began serving the local community as an alternative funeral care provider. Their purpose was to assist families by making an already difficult time a little easier by providing lower cost cremation and burial care. The community took note of their sensible, dignified service offering and the business has since become a well-known local institution for their quality and value. Funeral Choices of Chantilly specializes in providing a family friendly atmosphere, focused on compassion and support. They provide a full complement of funeral services, including funerals and memorials, direct cremations, and burials. They can accommodate requests for cremation with memorial service or ceremony, as well as life celebrations in honor of the fallen. For those looking for help with future needs, they also offer pre-planning funeral services that can be customized to individual preferences. As a measure of appreciation for those whove served in the armed forces, the company feels privileged to conduct military honors for departed veterans. When families need to move the deceased to a distant location for burial, their staff are qualified to provide transfers--including across state lines. Individuals and families count on the company to help them provide a lasting tribute to their loved one who has died. Funeral Choices of Chantillys service area includes Northern Virginia, Centreville, Chantilly, Ashburn, Oakton, Fairfax, Arlington, Reston, Falls Church, Herndon, and Great Falls. They are members of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), and are affiliated with Selected Independent Funeral Homes. They are rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau for their commitment to service integrity. The funeral home takes great pride in what they do, offering a wide scope of personalized services to those that call on them for support before, during, and after a loved ones passing. Funeral Choices of Chantilly is on a mission to help the public understand that when a death in the family happens, they have choices. They offer the same quality care and products as other industry providers, but at a reduced price up to 60% less than the national average. Call today for a conversation with a member of their professional staff at (703) 378-6896. The funeral home is located at 14522L Lee Rd Chantilly, VA 20151.