R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services

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Hampton, VA
R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Since 1901, Family Owned and Operated Funeral Home and Crematory Begun in 1901, R.

Hayden Smith Funeral Home serves the entire Hampton Roads areas with burials in all local cemeteries, cremation in our own crematory in our Berceuse location on Cunningham Drive, Hampton; Pre-Planning of Funerals with and without pre-payment. We are and always have been a family owned firm offering affordable prices and family service

05/12/2026

Join us today, Tuesday, May 12 from 5 - 7 PM at the Clark Cemetery Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Enjoy a delicious meal with friends at the Foxhill Neighorhood Center, 65 Hall Road Hampton dine in or carry out. R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services staff and families always look forward to great food and fellowship! Hope to see you there!

05/11/2026

Family Throwback Stories

Kids will be kids… and when your family owns a funeral home, you learn pretty quickly how to turn just about anything into a little adventure.

A casket bier—the wheeled stand used to support a casket during visitations and services—is typically stored away neatly in the garage when not in use. But to a group of spirited young boys, it looked far less like equipment…and far more like the perfect set of wheels.

Tim shared that they would hop on, give each other a push, and race back and forth—doing their very best to stay quiet, of course. All would go smoothly… until it didn’t.

Because sooner or later—there was always an unexpected “bump” along the way.

Just a little harmless mischief and a lot of childhood energy, growing up at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home—where even the quietest places have their stories. 😄

05/10/2026

Mother’s Day means something different to each of us. For some, it’s a day filled with hugs, laughter, and time spent together. For others, it’s a quiet space where memories are held a little closer and love is felt in a different way.
Today, we honor all mothers—those who are with us, those we carry in our hearts, and those who have stepped into that role with love and grace. A mother’s care, guidance, and unwavering love never truly leave us… they simply live on in the stories we tell, the traditions we keep, and the lives we continue to build.
If your mother is here, we hope you’re able to share a moment together. If she is no longer by your side, may you feel her presence in the gentle memories that surround you today.

From all of us at R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we wish you a peaceful and heartfelt Mother’s Day. 💐

05/09/2026

Hampton & the 1918 Pandemic ~ The story of the 1918 influenza pandemic—often called the “Spanish Flu”—in Hampton is closely tied to the area’s military presence, shipyards, and dense living conditions at the time. While records from that exact period can be scattered, what we know paints a vivid picture of how deeply the region was affected. In 1918, Hampton was surrounded by major hubs of activity—especially Fort Monroe and the nearby shipbuilding operations in Newport News. These areas were critical to the World War I effort, bringing in large numbers of soldiers and workers from across the country. Unfortunately, that movement of people also helped the virus spread rapidly. The second wave of the influenza—by far the deadliest—reached Virginia in the fall of 1918. Military installations like Fort Monroe and nearby training camps became early points of infection. Troops living in close quarters made transmission almost unavoidable.
As we reflect on the impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic here in Hampton, we are reminded of a chapter in our history that tested the strength, resilience, and compassion of this community.
During that time, R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services was called upon in ways few could imagine. The loss of life was overwhelming, and the needs of families—and the City of Hampton—were immense.
The Smith family worked tirelessly, even crafting caskets themselves to meet the growing demand. When the need surpassed what they could produce alone, they enlisted the help of Slaughter Lumber Company to ensure that every family was served with dignity and care.
With just R. Hayden Smith and one helper, they carried the weight of that moment in history—quietly, faithfully, and with unwavering dedication.
Today, as we look back, we honor not only those who were lost, but also the enduring commitment to service that has guided our funeral home for generations. It is a legacy rooted in compassion, perseverance, and a deep sense of responsibility to the families we are privileged to serve. (pictures courtesy of posts from the Hampton History Museum)

05/08/2026

Gertrude "Gerty" Smith was the mother of Bob and wife of H. Clyde. Gerty boasted for many years that her son Bob was the best child and only got in trouble once in his life. As the story goes, Bob and his dog, "Mud" decided to take a swim in Mill Creek in the dead of winter. Bob comfirmed that both he and Mud got a spanking that day! (generated photo, not Bob and Mud)

05/07/2026

If you’ve ever attended a service with R Hayden Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services, you may have noticed a familiar scene—one or two of our funeral directors quietly standing at the back of the chapel or church, ever watchful… or so it seems.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes secret: out of our seven funeral directors, there are two who have absolutely mastered the art of sleeping while standing up… eyes open and everything. A true professional skill set, if we do say so ourselves.

We’ll let you be the judge—drop your guesses below as to which two it might be. Don’t worry… we promise they’re still excellent at their jobs. 😉

05/06/2026

During National Nurses Week (May 6 - 12), we pause to recognize a group of people who walk into some of life’s hardest moments… and somehow bring comfort, calm, and even a little light with them.
Hospice nurses are a special kind of extraordinary. They don’t just provide care—they sit at bedsides, hold hands, listen to stories, and bring a quiet reassurance when families need it most. They are equal parts skilled clinician, counselor, and, at times, gentle comedian—because somehow, even in the heaviest moments, they know just when a small smile is needed.
In our world, we see you. We see the long hours, the late-night calls, the emotional weight you carry, and the grace with which you carry it. We see how you care not only for your patients, but for their families too—guiding them, comforting them, and standing beside them every step of the way.
And yes… we also know you have a sixth sense for finding the one chair in the room that doesn’t squeak, the perfect blanket tuck, and the ability to somehow chart, comfort, and sip cold coffee all at the same time.
From all of us in funeral service, thank you—for your compassion, your strength, your humor, and your heart. We are honored to walk alongside you in caring for the families we serve. 💙
And to every nurse—whether at the bedside, in a clinic, a hospital, a school, or behind the scenes—thank you for the countless ways you care for our communities each and every day. You make a difference far beyond what words can express.

05/05/2026

Tim Smith shared a story that took us back…
Growing up, the Smith boys spent a lot of time around the funeral home—but there were rules. Whether a family was present or not, children were to be neither seen nor heard. They entered quietly through the back door, tiptoed down the hallway, and waited patiently… until the “coast was clear.” Only then, with permission, could they scurry across the hall and up the stairs.
Some things never change—the same respect and care still guide us today. Though, we have a feeling those four brothers may have made just a little more noise than they let on.
Pictured: Bob with Rick, Tim, Doug, and Kevin Smith 🤍

05/04/2026

Smith Family Stories - Bob and the Army ~ Bob Smith served his two years in the U S Army; which for him as he says was "easy duty". After basic training, Bob was assigned to the overnight shift in the telegraph office at Fort Monroe. As he tells it, he never spent a night in the barracks there, instead he walked home to Mellen Street just across the bridge to sleep in his own bed each day. The only excitement he ever saw in the Army was when he knocked his pipe in the office trash can at the telegraph office and almost set the building on fire.

05/03/2026

Smith Family Stories - Bob Smith aka BobBob ~ Jacob Smith is the son of Tim Smith and oldest grandchild of Bob and Carol. When Jake was born, Bob and Carole babysat him quite a bit. He grew up listening to Carole call for "Bob" ....."Bob".... "Bob" over and over as she does. So as a very small child, to Jake he became known as "Bob-Bob" a name that the other grandchildren recognized and refer to him to this day (well most all of us do, even the adults)

05/02/2026

Smith Family Stories - Bob and the Robber
Bob Smith, son of H. Clyde and Gertrude grew up in the family home on Mellen Street just like his father. As a very young boy, Bob and H. Clyde were in front of their home and a policeman came running down the street. He had been chasing a man but lost him. As they stood in front of the lattice covering on the home's front porch; H. Clyde and policeman talked about what had occurred. All of a sudden, young Bob yells "we know you're under there, come out!" To the surprise of all three of them, out sprints the wanted man. You'll have to ask Bob what happened from there; but we think the officer got his man and H. Clyde might have gotten Bob!

Address

245 S Armistead Avenue
Hampton, VA
23669

Telephone

+17577233191

Website

http://www.rhaydensmith.com/

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