Honestly, when you're looking for a funeral home, you aren't just looking for a building with nice carpet and a chapel. You’re looking for someone who won't make a hard week even harder. In Neshoba County, McClain Hays Funeral Home in Philadelphia MS has been that "someone" for basically forever. Since 1937, to be exact.
It’s one of those places that feels like a permanent fixture of the downtown landscape. If you grew up around here, you’ve probably walked through those doors more times than you’d like to count. It’s a third-generation family legacy that started with Jack McClain, Willard Hays, and Jethro Holland. Even though the world has changed a ton since the thirties, the way they handle things hasn't drifted much from that original "do right by people" mission.
The Story Behind the Name
Most people just call it McClain Hays. Simple. But the history is actually pretty deep. After the founders got things moving, the reins passed to Charles A. McClain, Sr., and Barney M. Nowell. They were the ones who really cemented the reputation for being conscientious and, frankly, just being decent human beings during people's worst moments.
Today, Chuck McClain—Jack’s grandson—and his wife Kim are the ones you’ll see. They’ve been running the show as a husband-and-wife team for about forty years now. That’s a lot of late-night phone calls and early-morning services. Recently, they partnered up with Greg and Debbie Rollings to keep the legacy going. It’s still family-run at its core, which matters in a town like Philadelphia where everybody knows everybody’s business (and their grandmama’s business, too).
What Services Are Actually Like at McClain-Hays
You've got options here, and they don't try to pigeonhole you into the most expensive one.
Traditional Burials
This is still the "standard" for many Neshoba County families. It usually involves a visitation where people can come by, lean on each other, and look at photos. The service itself happens either in their on-site chapel—which has a piano and cameras for webcasting if family can't make the trip—or at a local church.
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Cremation Options
A lot of people think cremation means you just skip the service. You don't have to. You can actually do a "traditional service" with a casket and visitation, but then follow it with cremation instead of a burial. Or you can do a memorial service later with the urn present. It’s pretty flexible.
The Logistics of a Graveside Service
If you choose a graveside service, they handle the heavy lifting. They bring the tent, the chairs, the artificial grass (so nobody’s dress shoes get ruined), and even a PA system so the preacher can actually be heard over the wind. They even provide bottled water, which sounds like a small thing until it’s 95 degrees in July at Cedarlawn Cemetery.
Understanding the Costs
Let's talk money, because that’s the part everyone stresses about but nobody wants to bring up first. While prices can shift based on specific choices, here’s a ballpark of what things look like based on their general price lists:
- Professional Services: The basic fee for the director and staff usually hovers around $1,775. This covers the "behind the scenes" stuff you don't see—filing death certificates, coordinating with the cemetery, and keeping the lights on.
- The "Add-ons": Embalming is typically around $500. Using the chapel for the ceremony is about $450.
- The Physical Stuff: Caskets can vary wildly, but an average starting point is often around $1,500. If you’re going the cremation route, direct cremation starts around $1,495.
Basically, if you’re looking at a full traditional burial with a mid-range casket and all the bells and whistles, you’re likely looking at a total between $5,500 and $7,000 depending on the cemetery fees and vault requirements.
Why the Digital Side Matters Now
It’s 2026, and even the most traditional funeral homes have had to get tech-savvy. McClain Hays creates these online memorials for every person they serve. It’s sort of like a permanent Facebook wall for the deceased. People can light virtual candles, upload photos, and leave stories.
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They also do tribute videos. You give them the old photos—the ones from the shoebox in the closet—and they turn them into a video celebration. They can play it during the visitation on their screens and give you digital files to keep. Honestly, for a lot of families, this video becomes the most prized thing they take home from the whole experience.
Pre-Planning: The Gift of Not Guessing
Nobody wants to sit down and talk about their own funeral. It’s weird. It’s uncomfortable. But if you've ever had to plan a funeral for a parent who didn't leave instructions, you know it’s a nightmare of second-guessing.
McClain Hays has a whole system for pre-planning. You can pick out the casket, decide on the music (if you want "Amazing Grace" or something totally different), and even pay for it ahead of time to lock in today's prices. It keeps your kids from arguing over whether you wanted to be buried in your Sunday best or your favorite fishing shirt.
Finding the Location
They are located right in the heart of town at 1002 East Main Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350.
If you're coming from out of town, it's easy to find. It's a big, stately building that feels solid—exactly what you want when your world feels like it's falling apart. They are available 24/7. Death doesn't keep office hours, so they don't either. If you call them at 3:00 AM, a real person is going to answer that phone.
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What to Do Right Now
If you’ve just lost someone, your first step is to call them at 601-656-1212. They’ll guide you through the "First Call" process, which is basically getting your loved one into their care.
If you're just looking for an obituary for a friend or neighbor, you can head to their website and look for the "Most Recent Obituaries" section. You can sign up for email notifications so you never miss a service for someone you cared about.
Next Steps for Families:
- Gather Paperwork: Find the Social Security number, military discharge papers (if applicable), and any life insurance policies.
- Pick a Photo: Look for a high-quality photo for the obituary and the tribute video.
- Think About "The Story": When you meet with the director, they’ll want to know about the person’s life—their hobbies, their career, what made them laugh. This is what makes the service feel personal rather than "cookie-cutter."
Choosing McClain Hays Funeral Home in Philadelphia MS isn't just about hiring a service provider; it's about trusting a family that has been doing this for almost a century. They know the local cemeteries, they know the local preachers, and they know how to handle the unique traditions of Neshoba County. That kind of local expertise is something you just can't get from a corporate-owned chain.