Life in Smithfield, Virginia, has a certain rhythm to it. You’ve got the salty air from the Pagan River, the smell of cured ham, and a community that basically feels like one big, extended family. When that rhythm breaks—when someone passes—the town tends to look toward Courthouse Highway. Specifically, they look toward the digital and physical boards of Shivers Funeral Chapel.
Shivers Funeral Chapel obituaries aren't just names on a screen. Honestly, they’re the final narrative of the folks who built Isle of Wight County. But if you’re trying to find a specific record or understand how the process works today, it’s kinda easy to get tripped up by the way the internet handles death notices.
The Digital Paper Trail
Finding an obituary shouldn't feel like a scavengers hunt. Most people start with a panicked Google search, but the real "source of truth" is the funeral home's own database. Shivers has been around since 2000, and they’ve kept a pretty tight record of the transitions they’ve handled.
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Take a look at the recent entries from early 2026. You’ll see names like Marvin Clarke Fisher, who passed on January 10, or Barbara Bryant, whose memorial was set for mid-January. These aren't just death notices; they’re often the only place where a person's "church life" or "Packing Plant years" are officially documented.
Short sentences matter here. Details matter more.
If you're looking for someone from a few years back, say 2020, you have to dig into the archived pages. I noticed while researching that the transition from the old-school newspaper clip to the "Online Memorial" has changed how we grieve. At Shivers, these online pages stay up, allowing people to light virtual candles or upload photos long after the flowers from the service have wilted.
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Why the Search Often Fails
You’ve probably been there. You type in a name, hit enter, and get ten different "Obituary Database" sites asking for a credit card. It’s annoying.
Most of those third-party sites just scrape data. If you want the actual service times or the family’s specific request for donations (like "in lieu of flowers, please give to the local church"), you need to be on the Shivers Funeral Chapel official site. They handle everything from the traditional burial to the more modern full-service cremations.
One thing that people often miss? The "Tribute Video" section.
Many of the obituaries on their site now include a video component. It’s a mix of old Polaroids and digital iPhone snaps. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and it’s a far cry from the three-inch black-and-white column in the Saturday paper.
What’s Actually in a Modern Shivers Obituary?
- The "Transition" Language: You’ll notice a lot of the notices use the word "transitioned" or "gained their wings." This reflects the deep-rooted faith of the Tidewater community.
- The Service Details: This is the practical stuff. Is it at the chapel? Is it at a local spot like Little Zion Baptist Church or Mt. Sinai?
- The "Story": Shivers lets families write long. You’ll find out that Ervin Laws was the "best mechanic there was" or that Catherine "Granny" Blunt was the glue of her family.
Navigating the Grief Support Side
It’s not just about the text. Shivers actually provides a year of "Daily Grief Steps" emails. Most people don't realize this is an option when they're just scanning for funeral times. It’s a small detail, but when you’re the one left behind, that 7:00 AM email can be the only thing that makes sense.
Costs are another thing people get weird about. They don't want to ask. But looking at the landscape of Smithfield funeral services, a traditional burial sits around $6,490, while direct cremation is closer to $1,915. Knowing these numbers ahead of time keeps the focus on the person, not the invoice.
How to Properly Use the Shivers Search Tool
If you are on their site, don't just use the first search bar you see. Go to the "Obituary Listing" section. You can filter by name or date.
If you can't find a record from, say, fifteen years ago, it’s likely because the digital migration hadn't fully happened yet. In those cases, the Isle of Wight County Museum or the local library archives are your best bets. They keep the physical papers that Shivers used to announce their services in.
Basically, if you're looking for someone, start at the source. Avoid the clickbait sites. And take a second to read the "Life Reflections" section of the obituary—that's where the real person lives.
Actionable Steps for Finding a Record
- Check the Official Site First: Go directly to the Shivers Funeral Chapel website rather than using a general search engine.
- Use Maiden Names: Many Isle of Wight records are filed under birth names or hyphenated names; try both variations.
- Verify the Church: If the obituary doesn't pop up, search for the church where the person was a member. They often post the "Homegoing" program on their social media or bulletin.
- Sign Up for Alerts: If you’re waiting on news for a specific family, use the "Obituary Notifications" feature on the Shivers site to get an email the second it’s posted.