When you lose someone, the world kinda stops turning for a second. Suddenly, you're thrust into a whirlwind of paperwork, phone calls, and the heavy task of summarizing a human life in a few hundred words. It’s a lot. If you’re looking into matthews and son funeral home obituaries, you’re probably dealing with that specific brand of heavy right now.
Honestly, finding an obituary shouldn't feel like a digital scavenger hunt.
Whether you’re trying to find service times for a friend in Jennings or you're curious about the history of this family-run operation in Louisiana, there’s a specific way to navigate their system. People often get confused because "Matthews" is a common name in the funeral industry—there are huge corporations like Matthews International and separate family homes in Oklahoma or Georgia—but when folks talk about Matthews and Son with that specific "Son" in the title, they’re usually talking about the deep-rooted Louisiana locations.
The Reality of Matthews and Son Funeral Home Obituaries
Here is the thing: a lot of people expect a simple list, but these obituaries are actually interactive hubs. They aren't just blocks of text anymore.
If you go to their specific portal, you’ve got options that go way beyond reading about someone’s career or family tree. You can light virtual candles, which sounds a bit "2000s internet" but actually offers a nice way for distant relatives to show they’re thinking of the family. You can also upload photos directly to the tribute wall.
Where exactly are these homes?
Matthews and Son is a staple in Southwest Louisiana. You’ll find their physical locations in:
- Jennings (on North Cutting Ave)
- Gueydan (on Second St)
- Lake Arthur (on Kellogg St)
The obituaries are usually grouped by these locations, but their main website centralizes the search. If you’re searching for a name and nothing pops up, check the spelling. Seriously. People misspell "Matthews" (one 't' vs two) or the decedent's name all the time, and the database can be picky.
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Why the Digital Tribute Matters
Most people think an obituary is just for announcing the funeral time. That’s a mistake.
In the age of social media, these digital pages serve as a permanent archive. When you look at the matthews and son funeral home obituaries online, you'll see a section for "Condolences." This is basically a public guestbook.
I’ve seen families go back to these pages years later just to read what a high school friend wrote about their dad. It’s powerful. Also, the "Send Flowers" link on their site isn't just a random ad—it’s usually synced with local florists who know exactly when the service is, so you don't have to worry about the bouquet arriving at an empty building.
Missing an Obituary?
Sometimes a family chooses not to publish one. It happens. Or, there might be a delay.
Usually, an obituary appears online within 24 to 48 hours after the death, depending on how fast the family approves the draft. If it’s been longer than that, the service might be private. It’s always okay to call the home directly at their Jennings office to ask for service details if the digital version isn't up yet.
What it Costs (The Part Nobody Likes Talking About)
Funeral costs are a headache. Let's be real.
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At Matthews and Son, the pricing is fairly standard for the region, but it adds up. Based on recent data for the Gueydan area, basic services of the director and staff can run around $1,900. If you’re looking for a full funeral ceremony and viewing, you’re looking at another $1,075 each, roughly.
Then there’s the casket. A standard one might be $1,500, but they can go way higher.
Why mention this in an article about obituaries? Because the "Basic Services" fee often includes the professional writing or digital hosting of the obituary itself. You're paying for that digital space, so you might as well use it to its full potential by sharing the link on Facebook or via email.
How to Write a Better Obituary for Them
If you’re the one responsible for writing the draft that goes onto the Matthews and Son site, don’t just list dates.
People want to know the "kinda" stuff.
He kinda loved his lawn more than his car.
She was sorta famous for her pecan pie.
Those tiny, human details make the obituary worth reading. The staff there is pretty good at helping you polish the wording, but the "soul" of the tribute has to come from you.
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A Quick Checklist for the Draft:
- Full legal name (and any nicknames—people might search for "Pistol" instead of "Kyle").
- Specific service times for the Jennings or Lake Arthur chapels.
- Charity preferences. If you don't want flowers, say it clearly.
- Family names. Double-check the spelling of the grandkids!
The Difference Between "Matthews" and "Mathews"
This is a huge point of confusion.
There is a Mathews Funeral Home (one 't') in Albany, Georgia. They have a massive obituary database too. If you are looking for a loved one and keep getting Georgia results, you’re probably missing that second 't' in your search engine.
Matthews and Son (the Louisiana one) is a multi-generational family business. They aren't some giant corporate conglomerate based in Pittsburgh. This matters because the person you talk to on the phone in Jennings is likely the same person who will be standing at the door during the visitation.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are looking for a specific person right now, here is what you should do:
- Go to the official Matthews and Son website. Don't rely on third-party "obituary aggregator" sites; they often have outdated info or annoying pop-up ads.
- Sign up for notifications. Most people don't know you can subscribe to get an email whenever a new obituary is posted. This is great if you're waiting for a specific announcement.
- Check the "Service Calendar." If the obituary text is long and confusing, the calendar view usually gives you the "where and when" in a much cleaner format.
- Bookmark the tribute page. Once you find the right person, save the link. The funeral home keeps these pages active for years, making it a great place to visit on anniversaries.
Losing someone is hard enough. Finding the information shouldn't be. Stick to the local source, and you'll find what you need.