Death is the one thing nobody really wants to talk about until they absolutely have to. When it happens, the fog of grief makes every decision feel like you’re walking through waist-deep water. In Central Louisiana, if you ask around about where to go, the name Hixson comes up almost immediately. It’s basically an institution. But what is it actually like to deal with Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria LA when the chips are down?
It’s not just a building on Jackson Street.
Most people don’t realize that the Hixson family has been doing this since 1907. That’s over a century of seeing Alexandria change from a small river town into what it is today. They’ve seen the booms, the busts, and every major event in Rapides Parish. When you walk into a place with that much history, you aren't just getting a service provider; you're stepping into a legacy that predates most of the roads in the city.
The Reality of Planning a Service at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria LA
Planning a funeral is overwhelming. Honestly, it’s a lot of paperwork at a time when you can barely remember where you put your keys. At the Alexandria location, the process usually starts in those quiet, wood-paneled rooms that feel a bit like a library and a bit like a living room.
The staff there—people like the Hixson family members themselves or long-time funeral directors—don't usually rush you. They know you’re dazed. One thing that sets them apart is their "Signature Service" approach. It isn't just a marketing term. It’s about the fact that they own their own crematory. Why does that matter? Well, for many families, the idea of their loved one being transported to a third-party facility in another city is unsettling. Keeping everything "in-house" provides a level of continuity that actually matters to people around here.
You’ve got choices. Lots of them.
Traditional burials are still the backbone of what they do. We’re talking about the full visitation, the chapel service, and the procession to Greenwood Memorial Park or Pythian Cemetery. But things are shifting. More families in Alexandria are opting for "Celebrations of Life." These are less about the somber organ music and more about who the person actually was. If they loved LSU football or spent every weekend fishing the Red River, the service reflects that.
What the Costs Actually Look Like
Let’s be real: Funerals are expensive.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is hovering around $8,000 to $10,000, and that’s before you even talk about the cemetery plot or a headstone. Hixson Brothers isn't the "budget" option in town, but they aren't the most expensive either. They fall into that middle-to-high ground where you’re paying for the facility and the expertise.
If you’re looking to save money, they will talk to you about direct cremation.
It’s the most affordable route. No embalming. No fancy casket. Just the essentials. Some people feel guilty choosing this, but honestly, it’s becoming the norm. The staff is trained to handle these conversations without making you feel like a "cheapskate." They understand that financial reality is part of life—and death.
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Why the Jackson Street Location Matters
If you’ve lived in Alexandria for more than a week, you know Jackson Street. The Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria LA sits at 701 Jackson Street. It’s a landmark. The architecture itself is meant to be imposing but comforting, a weird paradox that somehow works for a funeral home.
The chapel is big.
It can hold a lot of people, which is necessary in a town where everyone knows everyone. When a prominent teacher or a well-liked coach passes away, half the city shows up. You need the parking. You need the seating. This facility was built for that kind of volume. Smaller, boutique funeral homes in the area sometimes struggle with the "big" Alexandria funerals, but Hixson was designed for them.
They also have locations in Pineville and Marksville. This matters because families in Central Louisiana are spread out. If the service is in Alexandria but the burial is across the river in Pineville, the coordination is seamless because it’s the same team.
The Pre-Planning Misconception
Most people think pre-planning is just about prepaying. It’s not.
Sure, locking in today's prices is a smart business move. Inflation hits the funeral industry just like it hits the grocery store. Casket prices go up. Labor costs go up. By pre-funding a funeral at Hixson Brothers, you’re basically freezing time on those costs.
But the real value? It’s the "Gift of Certainty."
When someone dies without a plan, the kids end up arguing in the parking lot about whether Mom wanted "Amazing Grace" or "The Old Rugged Cross." It sounds trivial, but in the heat of grief, these small decisions become massive burdens. Pre-planning at the Alexandria office involves sitting down and literally checking boxes. Wood or metal? Open or closed casket? It’s all written down. When the time comes, the family just has to show up.
Dealing with Veterans Benefits
Alexandria is a veteran town. With the VA Medical Center nearby and a high population of retired military, Hixson Brothers does a lot of military honors services.
They know the paperwork for the Central Louisiana State Veterans Cemetery in Leesville. This is a huge relief. If you’ve ever tried to navigate federal benefits while mourning, you know it’s a nightmare. The directors here handle the flag folding, the Taps coordinator, and the headstone applications. They know exactly what the VA requires, which saves the family from bureaucratic headaches.
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Grief Support Beyond the Service
Most funeral homes disappear once the check clears.
Hixson has a reputation for staying in the loop. They offer resources for grief support groups in the Rapides Parish area. They understand that the "real" grief doesn't even start until the flowers die and everyone else goes back to work.
They also manage an online memorial wall. It’s a digital space where people can post photos and stories. In the age of social media, this has become a vital part of the mourning process. It allows relatives in Texas or California to feel like they were part of the Alexandria service even if they couldn't make the drive.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hixson
There’s a myth that old-school funeral homes like Hixson Brothers are "stuck in their ways."
I’ve seen them adapt.
They’ve embraced live-streaming for services. This started out of necessity during the pandemic, but it stayed because it’s useful. They also use digital tribute videos—those slideshows that play during the visitation. They aren't just slapping photos on a screen; they’re using professional software to sync it with music that actually meant something to the deceased.
Another misconception is that you have to buy everything from them.
Federal law (the Funeral Rule) actually says you can buy a casket elsewhere and have it shipped to the funeral home. Hixson, like any reputable business, follows these rules. However, most people end up buying through them anyway just for the convenience. It’s one less thing to track on a delivery truck.
The Importance of Local Ownership
In an era where massive corporations like Service Corporation International (SCI) are buying up local mom-and-pop shops, Hixson Brothers remains family-owned.
Why does that matter to you?
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Decisions are made locally. If there’s a unique request—say, you want to bring a beloved pet in for a final goodbye or you want to display a massive collection of antique tractors—the person saying "yes" or "no" is likely standing right in front of you. You aren't waiting for a corporate office in Houston to approve a deviation from "standard operating procedure."
That local accountability is everything in a place like Alexandria. If they mess up, they see you at the grocery store or at church. Their reputation is their literal lifeblood.
Actionable Steps for Families in Alexandria
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to be responsible for the future, there are a few things you should do immediately to make the process at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria LA smoother.
Gather the Vital Statistics.
The funeral director will need the deceased’s social security number, parents’ names (including mother’s maiden name), and birth location for the death certificate. Having this in a folder saves you hours of digging through old files.
Check for Life Insurance Policies.
Hixson can often work with insurance companies to assign benefits directly to the funeral costs. This means you don't necessarily have to pay the full bill out of pocket on day one if the policy is verifiable.
Decide on the "Big Three."
Before you even walk in the door, have a rough idea of:
- Burial vs. Cremation.
- Public visitation vs. Private graveside.
- Budget ceiling.
Make the Call.
The Alexandria office is staffed 24/7. You don't have to wait for "business hours" when a death occurs. Calling them immediately allows them to start the transport process and takes the immediate physical burden off your shoulders.
Ask About the "Peace of Mind" Planning Guide.
They often provide a free booklet that lets you organize your thoughts and wishes without any financial commitment. It’s a good way to start the conversation with your spouse or parents without the pressure of a sales pitch.
Death is heavy. There’s no way around that. But having a team that knows the layout of Alexandria, the traditions of the South, and the specifics of Louisiana law makes the weight a little easier to carry. Hixson Brothers has been the steady hand for Central Louisiana for over a century, and that kind of longevity doesn't happen by accident. It happens by showing up, every single time, for families who are having the worst day of their lives.