Choosing a funeral home to take care of your loved one is not easy. Its stressful, emotional, and…read morethere are time limits to get things taken care of. I chose O.H. Smith for my uncle's services. Well known and respected in the community, they are one of the oldest funeral homes in Newport News. My uncle would be proud to know he was being cared for by his childhood neighbourhood. Available around the clock, we confirmed, they retrieved my uncle from the hospital, and setup a date to discuss details. The options were on a sliding scale rate and had favourable economic options. We chose direct cremation for its affordability. There is an option to have a funeral with the dressed body for viewing followed by cremation, but its more costly. And with no processional. My uncle was a veteran, and they took care of the cemetery arrangements along with scheduling color guard sendoff. When plans to have his memorial at a church fell through, they had the availability for the day we wanted and available minister provided for our service. The entire process, I felt respected and cared for. No matter how many questions, I had some form of an answer provided. Each step I had clear instructions which you need in this kind of event, and they kept me accountable. Mr. Otis and his family are a blessing. We were going to have a keyboardist/singer and was told they have a keyboard they could use. We chose to provide our own music after all. On the day of the memorial, they were "Johnny on the spot" as my mom says. I had nothing to worry about, it truly went smoother than my expectation. They provided the programs and did a fantastic job! We managed to spend shy of an hour for our intimate memorial. The color guards came at the end while TAPS played and presented my cousin the flag (it was a rainy day so no rifle detail). It was such a heartwarming moment. At the end of the memorial, I retrieved my uncles remains as we plan to take him to the cemetery ourselves and O.H. Smith scheduled the appointment to arrive. Overall, from the time they picked him up to the memorial was 18 days (by our own choosing). If we wanted a memorial right after cremation, it could have been a good week on average earlier. I can see now why my family keeps them in mind during a time in need. They are outstanding professional.

From the owner: Compassionate, Respectful Service Since 1933. Our mission is to assist in the recognition of the…read morevalue of a life lived. O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home has provided quality funeral service since 1933 and our mission is to assist in the recognition of the value of a life lived and to provide quality care for each family with respect and dignity. We are available via telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to serve you.

I would not bury my dog there. The level of maintenance, and management trained monkeys could do a…read morebetter job . The level of disrespect is unreal and it's not just a one time thing . If you're into maintaining weeding blowing the gravesite continuously and paying them for nothing this is the place for you . If you would like your loved ones grave to be and four wheeled on this is the place for you. This place is too cheap to even buy plywood to put down for equipment when they bury a new grave. They will roll over place markers and not give any care in the world .

Every time I come visit my family and friends, I'm always disappointed. My wife left a review they…read moreresponded. She sent her information and they NEVER got back to her! Every time I go, I have to take my weed eater and blower I will clear my family and friends headstones but I can never stop there especially when I see Veterans head stones that are covered in weeds! I did about 7 graves in 5 minutes so I don't know what they are paying the "grounds keepers" for but all they do is mow! Oh and if you have someone here, check your vases, they run the over and damage them all the time.

FROM: The Entire Hayes Family Members, Friends, and Associates…read more TO: Parklawn-Memorial Park Cemetery 2551 North Armistead Avenue Hampton, Virginia 23666 Nickelson-Cummings Funeral Home 4304 Victoria Boulevard Hampton, Virginia 23669 SUBJECT: Letter of Commendation DATE: December 7, 2011 Most Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen: The purpose of this communication is to officially commend these organizations for their outstanding mannerism and superior performance in which they assisted in the preparation of lying my dad, Lonnie "Sonny Boy" Hayes to his final resting place. Their superior performance stands-out even in an industry that is known for exhibiting such outstanding traits. It has been said that teamwork begins with people having the ability to socially influence others to enlist their aid and support in the accomplishment of a common task. We are convinced that the management teams and co-workers of these organizations are the epitome of what Alan Keith stated, to wit: "People working together creates a way for them to contribute in making something extraordinary happen." The firm foundation of being greeted with a feeling of love, concern, and respect coupled with a strong commitment to serve our family with superior professionalism and courtesy regardless of our socioeconomic status, race, creed, or color is "EXTRAORDINARY" and certainly can be found within both of these organizations. Additionally, we are certain that the styles of leadership coincide with the works of Eric Berne, a Canadian-born psychiatrist, to wit: you are transformational leaders that motivate its team to be effective and efficient. We are certain that there was not one error made, and have absolutely no complaints nor could we recommend any improvements if questioned...........all was perfect! The true spirit of any human-being is not determined during times of happy and leisure, but rather, during times of trials and tribulations. Death, whether understood or misunderstood, gives birth to extreme emotional behavior which can be, at times, difficult to handle. Regardless of how great the intensity of the moment as demonstrated by the anguish on our faces, the team members of both organizations did not sub come to the urgency of the moment. They all maintained their composure throughout the process and were ever so mindful to remain courteous and professional in their conduct. Particularly noteworthy of each of these organizations is that we were not pressured into purchasing anything. We did not feel that these two organizations tried to capitalize and/or take advantage of our grief. Quite the contrary, we were offered packaged deals that saved us hundreds of dollars. We were even given the opportunity to seek assistance from organization outside of theirs for even greater savings if that was our wish. Additionally, we were given a more than reasonable discount for processing documents for our mother for her final resting place. It was presented to my mother with her children at her side in a manner that was fitting of an angel from heaven. Without question and under no uncertain terms, this is professionalism at its best. We were also given an opportunity to purchase artifactual items for personal and/or sentimental reasons. Based on our experience with these organizations....... WE WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR SUPERIOR, COURTEOUS, AND PROFESSIOAL SERVICE TO HANDLE THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF THEIR LOVE ONES. We would be remised in our meager efforts to explain our appreciation of their dedication and undying devotion to serve if we did not mention how well everyone was dressed. Personal appearance says a great deal about an organization and its personnel. Truly, each and every time we met with personnel from these two outstanding organizations, they were dressed in a manner fitting to be placed on the front page of Ebony Magazine or any other fashion magazine. The portrait-like appearance of the women exemplified the beauty of the great queens of Egypt. They are the progenitors from which they have descended. The beauty they displayed is nothing short of that ascribed to Vashti, queen to King Zerxes who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia during the fifth century B.C. Each of the ladies from both of these organizations were so very well dressed and beautiful that they are worthy to sit in the garden at the courtyard in Susa so the people can marveled at their great beauty. The men were equally poised and certainly worthy to be place of the front page of GQ Magazine or any other magazine for men. Sincerely and on behalf of the Hayes Family, LONNIE HAYES, JR. Sergeant First Class, United States Army Retired Email: willsonnet@comcast.net

Our family highly recommends Hampton Memorial Gardens. They handled my Mother's services in 2017…read moreand my Dad in 2026. We worked with Shaun Lassiter and had to plan this Memorial Service from Hawaii where we live. Shaun is the ultimate professional. He was so efficient from start to finish. Empathetic and detail oriented. It was a wonderful service and I can't recommend them highly enough. Your loved one will be in great hands.

**If I could give zero stars, I would.**…read more Dealing with a cemetery is already emotionally taxing because it usually means you've lost a loved one. Unfortunately, my experience here made an already difficult time even harder. After paying over $8,000 upfront for my brother's burial plot, we still needed to purchase a grave marker. I worked with Miss Glynis, and I highly recommend avoiding her for the following reasons: First, when I called her with a few questions, she was unwilling to answer anything over the phone and insisted I set up an appointment. All I had asked for was a PDF of the grave marker options and pricing. She agreed to email me the information, but I never received it. I followed up with an email the next day--still no response. When I went in for my appointment, we spent about 40 minutes going over pricing and what I wanted on the marker. However, the materials they provided were frustratingly vague, much like an overpriced restaurant menu with no prices listed. I asked for quotes on both a montage marker and a basic marker. Glynis only provided a quote for the montage marker and immediately asked, "How will you be making your deposit today?" I reluctantly provided a $2,000 check before leaving. The next day, Glynis called me to say, "Your contract was denied because the installation fee wasn't added when submitted. We'll need to redo the contract with the correct amount, which will increase the total by $1,075." She brushed off this significant oversight as a minor issue. I don't consider an extra $1,000 to be "a little increase," especially after paying $8,000 just to bury my brother. I asked several follow-up questions, which she couldn't answer. She also informed me that I could purchase a marker from a third-party vendor but would still need to pay their $1,000 installation fee. When I asked for the exact dimensions required, Glynis provided conflicting and incomplete information: she told me granite markers must be 28x18 or, alternatively, bronze markers with a vase must be 24x14. Frustrated, I had to speak with the office manager, Towana, who was incredibly helpful and clarified everything. It turns out the marker must be **bronze with a granite base measuring 28x18x4**, and the vase is optional (only necessary if you plan to bring flowers). To cancel the denied contract, I had to schedule yet another appointment. They wanted to keep my $2,000 deposit, create a new contract, and deduct the $1,000 installation fee once they received the marker, with the remainder refunded to me in 12-16 weeks. Absolutely not. Thankfully, under the 3-day contract rule--and despite the contract being denied--they agreed to refund my full deposit. I am still waiting for the check. Overall, this experience was a **0/10**. No grieving family should have to deal with such incompetence and lack of accountability so soon after burying a loved one. Miss Glynis's unwillingness to own up to her mistakes and her dismissive attitude about an additional $1,000 fee was deeply upsetting.

The owner and staff were entrusting, professional, and the facility provided a comfortable…read moreexperience during our family's time of need.

I hesitated to do this review. My husband services was on 6/21/25. We was supposed to be in the…read morechapel, I understand that there was a service going on that went over, so we was sent into a room that had two chairs to start the viewing. At least have the room ready to receive family. Secondly and most important we should have received the death certificate that day. We did not receive it till July 3rd. Somehow incompetent staff, misspelled my daughter's name, copied it right off the paper wrong. Then when they told us it would be ready, it was not. I called and talked to three different people before i was told it was in evidence. So, i asked was she even going to call and let us know. Now mind you it was almost close of business, who checks their email at close of business. But that was her excuse, she had just checked her email. So she told my daughter what piece of ID to bring in to prove who she was, two days later we was told she needed more ID. Why are we trying to prove she is someone that yall made up. We was going through enough emotions trying to bury our loved one. It was the mistake of CC Carter yet the family had to jump through hoops to prove we are not the person yall wrote on the death certificate. Then Mr Carter comes out the car the day of the burial July 7th and states he bent over backwards to get this situation fixed, but you should have sir. it was your companies mistake and not the family. Show some accountability. And lastly you are supposed to be a professional, a pastor so I'm not sure of the mother-in-law joke that brung you such great humor when my daughter and I walked in, and you did it twice. You supposed to be more of healer in such times than a comedian. not Funny that woman is grieving her son as well as we grieving our husband and father. I would never use your services again. Your company is about money and appearance and not the emotions of the families. Well, Mr Carter, here is the review you asked for. It's not the one you wanted, but it's the one you earned!