Finding a local obituary in a town like Laurel isn't just about dates and times. It’s about a connection. If you are looking for memory chapel funeral home laurel ms obituaries, you’re likely trying to find a specific person or perhaps just staying in touch with the community. Memory Chapel has been a fixture in the Pine Belt for a long time. They handle everything from traditional services to modern memorials, and their obituary section is the primary hub for these announcements.
I’ve looked into how they manage these records, and honestly, it’s pretty straightforward. But there are a few nuances to navigating their system if you’re looking for someone from a few years ago versus a recent passing.
Where to Look First
The most direct way to find an obituary is through the Memory Chapel Funeral Home official website. They have a dedicated "Tributes" page. It’s updated constantly. When someone passes away and the family chooses Memory Chapel, the staff usually gets the notice live within 24 to 48 hours.
Sometimes you’ll see a name listed with "Service Information Pending." This means the family is still working out the details. Don't panic if the full story isn't there yet. Check back in the evening; that's often when they finalize the viewing times and location details.
Recent Notices in Laurel
If you’re checking for someone who passed away this week, the website's front page usually features the most recent additions. For example, recent listings often include residents from all over Jones County—places like Ellisville, Sandersville, or the Sharon community.
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Here is what you typically find in a Memory Chapel notice:
- Full Name and Age: Usually the first thing you see.
- Service Times: They are very specific about whether it's a graveside service or a chapel service.
- Visitation Details: Usually held at the 3100 Audubon Drive location.
- The Narrative: This is the "human" part—where they talk about where the person worked, their hobbies, and their "survivors" (family left behind).
Looking for Older Records
What if you’re doing genealogy? Or maybe you just realized a distant cousin passed away last year and you missed it. The search bar on their site is actually decent. You don't need the exact date. Just a last name usually works.
If the person passed away several years ago, you might run into a wall on the funeral home's site. Most funeral home websites keep records for about 5 to 10 years depending on their hosting plan. If the name doesn't pop up there, your next stop should be the Laurel Leader-Call. They archive obituaries as well, though sometimes they’re behind a paywall.
The Digital "Guestbook" Feature
One thing Memory Chapel does well is the interactive stuff. On each obituary page, there’s a "Tribute Wall." It’s basically a digital guestbook. People leave stories about "Mr. Smith" or "Miss Betty" that you wouldn't find in a standard newspaper clipping.
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Kinda cool, right? You can also upload photos there. If you have an old picture of the deceased from high school or a fishing trip, the family usually loves seeing those pop up on the tribute wall. You can also order flowers directly through the site, which links to local Laurel florists so you know they’ll actually get to the chapel on time.
A Bit of History on the Home
Memory Chapel isn't just one building; it's the successor to several older Laurel establishments. If you’ve lived in Laurel long enough, you might remember names like Sumrall Funeral Home or Thompson Funeral Home. Those legacies eventually merged into what is now Memory Chapel on Highway 15 North (Audubon Drive).
The building itself had a major interior renovation back in 2008. It’s got that classic colonial look on the outside, but the inside is much more modern and peaceful now. Ralph L. Campbell ran the place for decades—starting in 1973—and that family-run feel still hangs around the place even as staff changes.
If You Can't Find What You Need Online
Sometimes technology fails. Or maybe the name was misspelled. It happens. If you are stuck, just call them.
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The number is (601) 428-5235.
They are usually very helpful. They understand that people calling for obituary info are often stressed or grieving. They can give you the service times over the phone or tell you which cemetery the interment will be in (places like Lake Park Hills or Hickory Grove are common).
Practical Steps for Your Search
If you’re trying to find a specific obituary right now, follow these steps:
- Start at memorychapellaurel.com: Go straight to the "Tributes" or "Obituaries" tab.
- Use the Filter: If there are a lot of names, use the search box but keep it simple—just the last name is usually enough.
- Check Legacy.com: If the official site is down for maintenance, Legacy often mirrors the notices for Laurel-area funeral homes.
- Sign up for Alerts: On their site, you can actually sign up for "Tribute Notifications." They’ll email you when a new obituary is posted so you don't have to keep checking back.
- Verify the Date: Always double-check the year. People often find an old obituary from three years ago and think the service is tomorrow. Check the date at the top of the post carefully.
Finding these records is usually the first step in paying your respects. Whether you're attending the service at the chapel on Audubon Drive or just sending a card to the family, having the right information from the source makes the process a lot smoother.
To get the most accurate current information, visit the Memory Chapel website directly and use their built-in search tool with the person's last name. If you are looking for records older than 20 years, consider visiting the Laurel-Jones County Library to search their microfilm archives of local newspapers.