About Us
Celebrating life
As a proud member of the Lancaster community, we're honored to help families celebrate their loved ones. We pledge to ensure that every funeral and memorial service is deeply personal, fostering healing and remembrance.
Our promise
Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.
Dignity
Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.
Guidance
Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.
Legacy
Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.
Our story
H. Roger Cauthen graduated from the Gupton Jones School of Embalming in 1932. He and his wife, Ruby Lloyd Sistare Cauthen opened their first Funeral Home in 1940 in Lancaster. As their family grew, so did their business. Roger and Ruby Lloyd, as they were known, opened a funeral home in Kershaw in the mid 1940's. Their sons become funeral directors like their parents. Under the guidance of Hazel Cauthen and his wife Kay, the business grew even more, opening a funeral home in Rock Hill, and purchasing Wolfe Funeral Home in Fort Mill.
Our incredible staff
Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.
Abby Brewer
Funeral Director/ Embalming Apprentice #4484
Steve Hoke
Funeral Assistant
Todd Robinson
Crematory Operator/ Funeral Assistant
Johnny Usher
Crematory Operator/ Funeral Assistant
Howard Williams
Funeral Assistant
Hazel R. Cauthen Jr.
Funeral Director #1528
Hazel was born into funeral service. His Father was a funeral director/embalmer and graduated from Mortuary College in 1932. His Mother was also a Funeral Director, as well as his older brother, wife and daughter. He has been a Funeral Director/Embalmer for over forty years, and is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. His parents founded Cauthen Funeral Home in Lancaster and Kershaw, he and his wife Kay founded Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cremation Specialist and My Best Friend Pet Cremation.
Hazel was born and raised in Lancaster, having graduated from Lancaster High School and also attended the University of South Carolina – Lancaster Regional Campus. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and the University of South Carolina - Columbia. He and his family are members of First A. R. P. Church of Lancaster.
He has served his profession well. He served all offices of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, including as its President. He has served on the Policy Board of the National Funeral Directors Association, as well as on the associations Business Practices Committee. Hazel has made four presentations to fellow Funeral Directors at the associations annual National Conference. He has served on the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service. He was, twice named “Funeral Director of the Year” by the Pee Dee Funeral Directors Association. He is a life member of the Academy of Professional Service Practice, where he as served on the Board of Trustees and as its President and is a "Certified Funeral Service Practitioner." He is also a "Certified Crematory Operator." Always promoting education, Hazel has served on Board of Visitors of Charleston Southern University as well as on the American Board of Funeral Service Education. He is currently a member of the Advisory Board of “The South Carolina Center for Funeral Service Education” at Greenwood Technical College.
Always active in his community, Hazel is a Mason, Shriner and Rotarian, member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and is active in other community organizations. He and his wife, Kay reside in Lancaster.
Kay C. Cauthen
Funeral Director #2022
Kay has been a Funeral Director for more than twenty years, and is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. She and her husband Hazel founded Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cremation Specialist and My Best Friend Pet Cremation.
Kay was born and raised in Lancaster. She graduated from Lancaster High School and attended the University of South Carolina – Lancaster Regional Campus, and the University of South Carolina - Columbia. She graduated from the University of South Carolina - Columbia.
Kay served all offices of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, including as its President. She is a life member of the Academy of Professional Service Practice, a "Certified Funeral Service Practitioner", and is a "Certified Crematory Operator". Kay served on the Board of Visitors of Charleston Southern University.
Kay is member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and is active in other community functions. She and her husband Hazel, reside in Lancaster. They are members of the First A.R.P. Church of Lancaster.
Tiffany Haynes
Manager / Funeral Director & Embalmer (#2389)
Tiffany Haynes, FDE 2839 is from Indian Land and has been a funeral director/embalmer with over 20 years experience in the funeral industry. She is a graduate of Indian Land High School and Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. She is married to Tim and they have six children, Gracie, Emalie, Cole, Mackenzie, Timothy and Luke. They attend Transformation Church in Indian Land.
Randy Davis
Funeral Director/Embalmer #3493
Randy is a dual licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and also has specialized skills in other areas. He is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister and has pastored for 30 years. In addition, Randy leads music for congregational singing and directs a choir.
Randy received part of his education at Wingate University where he earned his BS and graduated cum laude. He received his Funeral Service education at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC where he graduated with honors and earned another Associates degree. Randy enjoys the company of other people and he believes that a career in Funeral Service is a calling, and he is grateful that the Lord has given him the ability to help people through one of life's greatest trials. There have been many occasions when he has provided pastoral care for grieving families that did not have a minister.
Randy loves to be outdoors and when he has some personal time, he enjoys hunting and fishing. In addition, he likes to travel to new places, cook, and entertain. His musical interests range from church hymns to Blue Grass.
Randy and his wife Kathy are very proud of their son Blake who is an NC State graduate and works in the poultry industry.
Terry Sears Chandler
Office Administrator
Terry is a Lancaster High School graduate and began her career for Springs Industries in 1979 where she worked for 28 years until the plant relocated to Brazil. The last 10 years she worked in office administration.
She attended York Technical College where she received a certificate in Medical Office Administration. She began working for Lancaster Funeral Home in 2010 as their office administrator.
Terry is a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lancaster where she is a member of the Adult Sunday School Class. She has served as church clerk, as well as helped teach Mission Friends.
Terry and Chuck have two daughters, Miranda and Morgan and a grandson, Luke. They reside in Lancaster.
Jelly Bean Cauthen
CEO (Canine Executive Officer) - In Memory
August 6, 2004 -- April 6, 2022
Jelly Bean Cauthen was named CEO (Canine Executive Officer) of My Best Friend Pet Cremation. He is a resident of Lancaster and lives with his grandparents, Hazel and Kay Cauthen and his girlfriend, Teddy. Jelly Bean enjoys going on walks, running in his doggy park, taking naps and performing tricks. His outgoing personality allows him to quickly make friends.
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Jelly Bean has been in declining health these last few months. He crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" this morning (Wednesday, April 6, 2022) while being held by Kay. He was just a few months short of his 18th birthday. He was my "Bud." He made sure that I walked twice a day, per my Dr.'s orders. I will surely miss him as we spent numerous hours walking our neighborhood looking out for friends and making new ones. Of course he was cremated at "My Best Friend Pet Cremation" where he was 'CEO" Canine Executive Officer. I will miss Him. ---- Hazel
A place of healing
We welcome you to explore the Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.
A time to honor, comfort and heal
We help create unique and meaningful memorial services to celebrate your loved one and begin the healing process for families and friends left behind.
We’ll take care of every detail
We'll help you with everything you need with a simple step-by-step process for all of your funeral, cremation and advanced planning.
Unique Funerals and Tributes
Compassionate customer care
“The person assigned to us was super helpful and made a difficult time more manageable. I cannot thank them enough for everything.”
Author:— Jeff Sims rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Nicest people in the world. Very compassionate people treated us like family during a very stressful time. Would most certainly recommend to others in their time of need.”
Author:— Jeff Wendy rated with 4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“They are helpful in your time of need.”
Author:— Janice Harper rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We're hiring
Beyond the opportunity to truly make a difference, Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service offers competitive pay, a healthy work-life balance, and many opportunities for growth.