Planning a funeral is a heavy lift. It’s a blur of paperwork, deep grief, and the sudden realization that you have a thousand decisions to make in about forty-eight hours. Most people in Massachusetts have heard the name Hathaway. It’s basically an institution in the South Coast region. But when you’re looking specifically at the Hathaway Community Funeral Home in Somerset, you aren't just looking for a name on a building; you’re looking for a group of people who won't make a hard week even harder.
Death is expensive. It's awkward. Honestly, it’s the one thing we all avoid talking about until we absolutely have to. When the time comes to look into Hathaway Funeral Home Somerset, you're usually doing it under a mountain of stress.
The Somerset location, specifically situated at 900 Buffinton Street, serves a very tight-knit community. It’s not like a big-city corporate firm where you’re just a file number. Here, the staff often knows the families they’re serving. That local connection matters more than people realize because it dictates how the logistics—the wakes, the processions through Somerset’s streets, the coordination with local parishes—actually play out.
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The Reality of Local Tradition and the Hathaway Legacy
Hathaway isn't some new startup. We’re talking about a family-owned legacy that stretches back to 1893. That’s over 130 years of history in the South Coast area. For Somerset residents, this means the funeral directors have likely handled the services for your grandparents, your neighbors, and that one teacher everyone loved.
Experience counts.
When you walk into the Buffinton Street facility, it feels like a home because, historically, that’s exactly what these buildings were. It’s got that traditional New England architecture—white siding, clean lines, and a sense of quiet formality. But don’t let the old-school look fool you. The way people mourn is changing fast. While some families still want the full two-day wake with an open casket and a formal mass, others are leaning heavily into cremation and "celebrations of life" that look more like a memorial dinner than a somber vigil.
Why the Location Matters
Somerset is a unique spot. It’s tucked between Fall River and Swansea, and the Hathaway location there acts as a bridge for families across those towns. If you’re coordinating a service at St. Thomas More or St. Patrick’s, the Hathaway staff has those logistics down to a science. They know the priests, they know the parking situations, and they know the local florists. You don't want a funeral director who needs a GPS to find the cemetery. You want someone who knows which turn to take to avoid the 4:00 PM traffic on County Street.
Breaking Down the Costs and Services
Let's be real: funerals are a financial gut-punch. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) often cites the median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial at nearly $8,000, and that’s before you even talk about the cemetery plot or the headstone.
At Hathaway Funeral Home Somerset, the pricing follows the General Price List (GPL) model required by the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule. This is a big deal for consumer protection. You have the right to see this list before you sign anything. It breaks down the professional service fees, which covers the "behind the scenes" work—securing death certificates, coordinating with the crematory, and keeping the lights on.
- Direct Cremation: This is the most affordable route. No viewing, no embalming. It’s straightforward.
- Traditional Burial: This involves the whole nine yards. Embalming, dressing, cosmetology, the casket, and the hearse.
- Green Burials: This is a growing trend. People want to return to the earth without the chemicals and the heavy metal vaults. While not every cemetery in the Somerset area allows this, the directors can guide you toward the ones that do.
Honestly, the "professional services" fee is where people get confused. It’s a non-declinable charge. It pays for the expertise of the director who stays up until 2 AM making sure the obituary is perfect and the flowers arrive on time. You're paying for their time and their overhead.
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Navigating the Grief Support Side of Things
A funeral is just one day. The grief lasts a lifetime. One thing that sets Hathaway apart is their focus on "aftercare." They don't just hand you the bill and wish you luck. They provide resources for grief counseling and support groups in the Bristol County area.
Loss is isolating. You’ve probably felt that "fog" where you can’t remember if you ate lunch or where you put your keys. The staff at the Somerset home are trained to handle "complicated grief." This isn't just about being polite; it's about recognizing when a family member is truly struggling to function. They often point people toward local hospice programs or bereavement specialists who can help navigate the months following the service.
Veteran Services in Somerset
Somerset has a strong veteran community. If your loved one served, the Hathaway staff handles the heavy lifting for military honors. This includes the folding of the flag, the playing of Taps, and coordinating with the VA for burial in a national cemetery like the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. You shouldn't have to chase down DD-214 papers while you're mourning; they usually help with that.
Digital Legacies and the Modern Obituary
The way we tell stories has shifted. It used to be a tiny blurb in the Fall River Herald News. Now, it’s a digital memorial. Hathaway’s website features an "Obituaries" section that acts as a permanent digital archive. People from across the country can post photos, share "kinda" funny stories, and light virtual candles.
This digital footprint is actually really important for genealogy. People researching their roots in Somerset fifty years from now will likely find these digital records. The staff helps families craft these narratives. It’s not just "born on X, died on Y." It’s about the fact that they made the best clam chowder in the county or never missed a Red Sox game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Funeral Planning
People think they have to do what the funeral director says. You don't.
You’re the boss.
If you want a service that’s just a small gathering at a park followed by a scattering of ashes, that’s your right. If you want a traditional Catholic wake but want to play classic rock during the visitation, you can ask for that. The "community" part of Hathaway Community Funeral Home means they are generally flexible. They’ve seen it all.
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Another misconception? That you have to buy the casket from the funeral home. Under the Funeral Rule, you can buy a casket online or from a third party, and the funeral home cannot charge you a "handling fee" to use it. Now, most people find it easier to just pick one from the showroom for convenience, but you have options.
Actionable Steps for Families in Somerset
If you find yourself in the position of needing to contact Hathaway Funeral Home Somerset, or if you’re just trying to get your own ducks in a row so your kids don't have to do it later, here is what you actually need to do.
1. Locate the Essential Paperwork
Before you even call, try to find the social security number, any military discharge papers (DD-214), and any pre-arranged funeral insurance policies. If your loved one lived in Somerset but died elsewhere, the funeral home will handle the transport, but they need the legal authority to do so.
2. The 24-Hour Rule
Don't feel pressured to make every decision in the first hour. Take a breath. You have time to decide between burial and cremation. You have time to pick a date. The only immediate thing that needs to happen is the "transfer of remains" from the place of death to the funeral home.
3. Set a Realistic Budget
Be honest with the funeral director about what you can afford. A good director will respect your budget and help you find ways to honor your loved one without going into massive debt. There is no shame in choosing a simpler service.
4. Consider Pre-Planning
This is the greatest gift you can give your family. You can sit down at the Somerset office and pick out everything—from the music to the casket—and even pay for it at today's prices. This "locks in" the cost, protecting your family from inflation. Plus, it spares them from arguing over whether you would have wanted "Amazing Grace" or "The Long and Winding Road."
5. Check the Local Regulations
If you're planning on a traditional burial in a Somerset cemetery like Gibbs Cemetery or Nathan Slade Cemetery, ask about "vault" requirements. Most cemeteries require an outer burial container to keep the ground from sinking. This is an extra cost that catches people off guard.
The Hathaway family has maintained their presence in Somerset because they understand the rhythm of the town. They know the people, the traditions, and the quiet dignity required in these moments. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden loss or looking to the future, focus on the details that truly reflect the person you’re honoring. The paperwork is just paper; the legacy is in the stories told within those four walls on Buffinton Street.
To move forward, gather any existing life insurance information and create a list of "must-contact" relatives. Once you have the basic identifying information ready, call the funeral home to schedule an arrangement conference. This meeting is where the logistics turn into a plan, and having your basic preferences written down beforehand will help you stay focused during an emotional time.