My mother bought a prepaid funeral plan with Hewett-Arney back in 2018. At the time, the service was wonderful. Since then I believe the funeral home was sold to a third party. My mother's health had been failing for over a year and she went into hospice on Monday and fell into a coma Thursday. She wasn't expected to make it through the weekend. I had flown in from out of state and my Aunt had come up from Houston. We went to see the funeral director Friday to finalize arrangements and set things in motion as much as possible. Getting information from him was exhausting. Perhaps I should've brought in a CIA interrogator? When I asked if we could have the funeral on Monday, he informed me he "doesn't work on Sunday". He also said he would need two days to prepare the body. We said we wanted a closed casket. He did assure us that if she passed on Sunday, someone would pick up her body so it wasn't just sitting at the nursing home. We went to a florist afterwards (recommended by a family friend, not the one he recommended) and they were amazing. My mother passed away Friday night, so we returned to the funeral home by appointment on Saturday. At this meeting David brought out a paper that had been filled out by my mother with much of the information on it we were discussing Friday. Information like; which flowers, what scripture, etc. You know, information that would have been helpful Friday when we were DISCUSSING those things. Particularly, flowers since we had picked them out Friday, which he knew we were doing! We had the visitation on Monday 5-7. He did not stay for the visitation, because he works 8-5. His assistant stayed in the office until we left at 7. She, by the way, is amazing. On Tuesday, with just over 2 hours till the funeral, he texts me that my mom looks very nice and the casket is currently open, however if I want it closed they can do that as well. Since I had told him Friday and Saturday that we wanted a closed casket, we were eating, and he had really pissed me off at this point, I didn't reply to his text. We were going to be arriving a half hour before the funeral which would give plenty of time for them to close the casket. When we arrived and my Aunt asked him to please close the casket, he SCOLDED us for not replying to his text. Changing from an open casket to a closed involved him moving the flowers over, closing the lid, and repositioning the flowers. You don't get to scold the grieving family like that! NOT acceptable. To top everything off, he signed the guestbook at the very top! He didn't ask first. He didn't sign at the bottom after all family and friends. He signed at the top!! He seems to have zero EQ and zero customer service skills. Since he is in a service industry that requires compassion, those are pretty big deficiencies to have. I believe my Aunt was very accurate when she said he is like that person getting ready to retire and has already mentally checked out. As I mentioned earlier, his assistant Rebecca is amazing. She knew that my mother loved butterflies. She took the initiative to add a row of butterflies to the funeral program - they were beautiful! That little added touch meant SO much to everyone at the service. She should be the front person for the funeral home instead of the insensitive jerk that we dealt with. It is unfortunate that the reputation built up over a century is being decimated by the current director. read more

I found this Funeral Home on yelp and read reviews on Google after my grandmother passed. The couple that own and run this have been extremely helpful and kind during the whole process. We were impressed that their pricing was available online and straightforward. They own the crematorium, so getting our grandmas ashes back quicker is nice. read more

My dad passed in April. It was not entirely out of the blue, but was much earlier than we had expected, and we found Hewett-Arney through Google. Their prices were more competitive than others and they had good reviews and that was the deciding factor. We did not care who cremated my father. When someone dies, I doubt many people think too much about the funeral home other than wanting a compassionate place that respects your loved one. They cremated my father, I went with my mom to pick up the ashes, everyone was kind, things were timely. Great. What I've learned since then is that the owner really wants feedback, so I'm happy to provide it. I was at my mother's house about 3 weeks after we picked up my dad's ashes. She told me it had been the first day she hadn't cried until she received a call from Hewett-Arney asking her how their services were. I was FLOORED when she told me. First of all, if you want feedback, send out an email survey or maybe a text. Do not cold call grieving families and ask how they felt about your service. Second, as my mother said, if you gave us the correct ashes in the urn we gave you, we are happy. Sorry to not fulfill your need for validation, but we didn't care about you. We didn't care about the funeral home at all. We did not think about how we should rate your performance. We needed someone to do a job, you did it, and we paid you for it. That's the extent of our relationship. You told my mother that in 20 years of doing this, you'd never had this response and you were very surprised. If that's true, which I honestly can't believe it is as this is SUCH an inappropriate act, you really did not check the "compassionate" mark I laid out above. Read the room. She started crying and told you if she got the right ashes she was happy. Does that sound like a woman who wants to be chastised for not responding correctly to your inapproriate request for feedback? No. Hang up the phone. Instead, you asked her if she would be interested in materials to start planning her own funeral. I cannot fathom losing my husband and 3 weeks later having a funeral home director call me and messaging "hey your husband died and you're going to also, want to pay me for that now while you're still alive and can?". I'm so glad she isn't planning her funeral with you, because I assure you we will absolutely not use your services when she does pass. So, this is all gross commercialism and disrespect for human sentiment, right? Right. But, you go on to send her paperwork on how she can plan her own funeral. Don't love that, but she said it was fine when you called her the first time, and you did it. AND THEN. On the 3 month anniversary of losing my father, you called her again. You asked her if she received the marketing materials. She said yes and she thinks she threw them away. You, for some unknown reason, were surprised, and you asked her why she would do that. She did it because all she can think about is losing her husband and a reminder that she is also going to die ISN'T HELPFUL. I do not think cold calls for feedback in your business are appropriate. I do not think that pushing customers to explain why they don't want your cold call is appropriate. I do not think anyone who knows anything about marketing recommends calling everyone you sent marketing materials to to ask them if they received your marketing materials. It's pushy and weird. And in your line of business, it is especially weird. And, when someone starts crying on the phone with you and expressing that they do not want to hear from you and do not want to provide you feedback, I absolutely do not understand why you would ask them why. In your line of work, you should have better bedside manner. When someone reacts that way, apologize, tell them you won't call again, hang up the phone, and do not call again. To summarize, I'm happy to provide feedback and it is that you have a distinct lack of self-awareness and caring that is harmful to your customers. I would never recommend you and absolutely will not use you in the future. How could you possibly think this is how you should conduct your business? You owe my mother an apology, but you had better never call her again, so send your apology into the universe and do better in the future. read more

When my sister passed away Hewett-Arney was professional, responsive, caring and efficient. Living in another state I was not able to meet with them in person to make arrangement but they worked me to understand my options and what I needed to do to arrange for her cremation. When I was able be in Temple to attend to my sister's affairs, they were always gracious, caring and reassuringly professional. Even when plans changed as I found documentation on my sister's wishes, they adjusted quickly and always with caring and comforting words and actions to arrange transport and burial in yet a different state. Definitely good people to work with in a time of grief and stress. read more

I have known the owners for years due to one's work association that used their services. This couple is remarkably kind and caring. I recently set up payments for my own funeral which is the responsible thing to do. The insurance man in the office gave me a price sheet of what other funeral homes are charging for the same service. Then I got the option to pick out payment plans that would be affordable to me. It doesn't get easier than that. They even provide death certificates. My sons will have enough to do but now don't have to deal with this emotional ordeal. I know they will be looking after my sons. read more

THEY WILL TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY. David Alexander and his wife Amanda, both Funeral Directors and Owners, are genuinely lovely people. They were thorough in going over the process of funeral services with my family. Their funeral home is an historic landmark and located in the downtown Temple area. I made an appointment to visit them during the few weeks prior to my father's passing. From the moment my family and I stepped into their funeral home, David warmly greeted us and treated us with such kindness and care. Amanda met with us after my father's passing to go over the final arrangements and cost breakdown. She was delicate and extremely compassionate. My father passed during the COVID 19 (coronavirus) pandemic from other causes. There were many unknowns because of CDC and local County restrictions. We were made aware that no more than 10 people would be allowed to gather in any one venue. David and his wife, Amanda, made every attempt to accommodate our requests to display the Wake (Rosary) as well as the Church Mass via the Internet so that our extended family members could participate and be with us in spirit. DAVID AND AMANDA ARE EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES. My father was a Veteran. We were advised that as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the military would not be able to send a representative to play taps or fold the flag for us. David and Amanda draped my father's casket with the flag and folded it for my mother. I know that my mother was extremely touched by this loving gesture. My mother was very happy with the services and presentation at the funeral home, church mass, and graveside. HEWETT-ARNEY FUNERAL HOME WILL MAKE YOUR FAMILY FEEL SPECIAL. The funeral home is modest in appearance, but do not be deceived. David and Amanda will treat you like family and give your loved one the respect and care they deserve. You will receive the loveliest and most memorable of services at Hewett-Arney Funeral Home. read more

No one tells you how to 'shop' for a funeral home, and when the time comes that you are in need of one's services, it's even harder to know what to ask about...Dave with Hewett-Arney funeral home took my call as my siblings and I were in wait with our father who was then in hospice care. Dave the funeral director, gently and calmly explained the services of a funeral home, answered all my questions about what happens next, and patiently explained the charges for all they offered. As I hung up I knew we could entrust him with the final care of our Dad. Dad passed in the late night hours and Dave was immediately responsive and ready to receive him. We then had to work out a quick memorial service as we all had flown in from out of state. Dave and his team were very kind, and empathetic, and walked us through all we needed, including printed materials and worked with us on our very short time schedule. Services held at Hewett-Arney in Temple,TX were beautiful, and they even had it live streaming for us on a private link for friends and family out of town to be included. Dave has also assisted with arrangements for our dad's internment at a VA National cemetery. He and his team really took a weight off of us by knowingly and respectfully handling the details so we could concentrate on remembering and mourning our Dad. I can't say enough how grateful we are for Hewett-Arney Funeral Home! read more

When our mother passed away, we called all of the funeral homes in Temple/Belton and Killeen - to meet her request for cremation and a simple service. Hewett-Arney was by far the most reasonably priced. By 20%!! Then Amanda and her staff were just awesome. On top of the best price in the entire area, they could not have been more helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. Wanting to do everything they could to make the process, service and overall experience as good as it could be under the circumstances. Our mother would have loved the chapel and facility- quaint and warm and homey. I'm not sure why you would use any other Funeral Home in Central Texas when you can get this kind of professionalism, compassion and value in a difficult time. Thanks very much to Amanda and the Hewett-Arney team! read more

Hewitt-Arney Funeral Home (Amanda and Dave) provided affordable, exceptional and quality service for our family during our loss. They were prompt and communicative. This funeral home is highly recommended. Blessings. read more

My wife Angel (45) died unexpectedly. I called around for cremation quotes and theirs was one of the highest. Hewett-Arney Funeral Home was very pleasant, thorough and warned me to ask what services the other places offered for the money. After checking around I did not like the vibe of the cheaper places that give you ashes and a bill. I needed help! This is a family business and they are amazing! Amanda was wonderful and helped us at a reasonable price. She did everything and left me to do other things. She was just a phone call away, but I never needed to call them, they called me as needed. I hope that I do not have to recommend them to anyone I know, but death is a part of life and it visits us all. The Good - Amanda and the staff. The Bad - Nothing The Ugly - Not Applicable. They have been fantastic. read more

As I said in my review earlier, I'd use Hewett-Arney again in a heart beat for something more serious. Sadly, that time came in March when my Mother passed away. Once again, Amanda was there to help. She has such a caring heart and was a real comfort to me and my husband. She handled all the things needed to collect my mother's ashes and seal the urn, she handled all of the legal State required paperwork for the death certificate. All I had to worry about was signing the papers. Even though we did not have the funeral here in Texas, Amanda treated me (and my Mom) with respect, dignity and compassion. I can't recommend this wonderful family business enough. Thank you Amanda and thank you Hewett-Arney. read more

Hewett-Arney Funeral Home made one of the darkest times in my family's life so much easier with all of their help. They were with us every step of the way to help with anything we may have needed. If you're looking for someone that truly cares to help you through some of life's hardest moments this is definitely the place for you. We are forever grateful for them. read more

Very friendly and helpful staff. Family operated so there is a more personal feel. Thank you all for making my families time of grieving easier. read more

After my mom passed away we started looking for a funeral home. We called and spoke with Dave and Amanda at Hewett-Arney. I cant say enough nice things about this place and the people who work there! I have a large family and my mother was a very eccentric women and we had some unusual request. Dave and his wife Amanda went above and beyond. We came multiple times to decorate her casket, we had special request for hair and makeup and we also wanted to have the service at her home. Our first dat for her service was when the biggest ice storm in Texas history hit and the police escort along with the deacon cancelled on us, but not Dave, he was willing to move forward if that was our wish. We rescheduled and the ice and snow just got worse. Dave with broken pipes and trees down was still willing to carry on if that is what we wanted. We finally were able to have the service the following week and he just did an amazing job. Hewett-Arney is the only family owned funeral home in the Temple area. What that means is you don't get price gouged which is important, but the level of customer service you receive from this Dave and his team is absolutely Top Notch. Isn't that what we all want is to be treated as if we just arrived at the Ritz Carlton where the customer service is priority? It was exactly what my family wanted and that is just what we received. In case you are reading this and planning the funeral ahead of time., they do all their own embalming. This isn't something most funeral homes do any longer. This will be the only funeral home our family will use moving forward. read more

My sister passed away in Temple, Texas, but all of her family lived out of town. We found the Hewett-Arney Funeral Home and reached out to them for assistance. We could not have been more pleased with the support that Amanda Arney and David Alexander provided us. It was difficult enough trying to plan services for our sister and then having to do it from a distance made it harder. Amanda and her staff took great care of us and were always available by phone or email to offer guidance and support. The day of the service, everything looked beautiful. They were there at just the right time throughout the service to ensure that our sister's and family's needs were handled. While it was a sad and joyful day, the Hewett-Arney Funeral Home helped ensure that we were able to celebrate our sister's life in the best possible way. We will be eternally grateful for them and their support. read more