Some people simply know what they are meant to do in the world. Some people, from a very young age, can hear starkly and clearly the inner call towards their life’s purpose. Matthew Lovett is one of those people, and recently, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of opening a funeral home in his hometown of Statesboro.
The Matthew H. Lovett & Son’s Funeral Home is located at 16303 Highway 80 West, and offers a range of mortuary services for grieving families in need of comfort and support in times of loss and transition.
An early destiny
Matthew always knew that he wanted to be a mortician from a very young age. That inner moment of clarity came for him at 7 years old when his aunt unexpectedly died at the age of 29. It was when he was sitting among his family during the funeral arrangements that he felt the inner desire to go down the path of becoming a mortician.
As unconventional and unexpectedly specific as the decision seemed to others, to Matthew it was obvious. Matthew expressed that although he did not understand much about death itself when she passed, he loved the process of putting together the funeral arrangements and the emotional support the funeral owners showed to his family. This one moment of tragedy-turned-destiny changed his life forever, and thus put him on his path towards his purpose.
The Matthew H. Lovett & Son’s Funeral Home, LLC officially opened on August 15, 2022.
Complete renovation for an at-home feel
The funeral home is located in the former Robbins Nest facility, and the renovations to the entire facility were done by Matthew himself. Yes, you read that right. Matthew is a skilled, self-taught craftsman and wanted to have a hands-on approach to the re-working of the fixtures and amenities throughout the facility. Everything from the handmade office desks to the floral arrangements, to the design aesthetic of each room, was crafted and designed by Matthew himself.
His goal was to emphasize a “homey” feeling throughout the facility to make the atmosphere a more inviting and familiar one, instead of a formal and detached one. This was particularly important to him, since many of the people coming to the facility would be there to prepare their loved one’s funeral arrangements and may be feeling especially emotionally heavy.
Matthew’s primary hope is that the “at home,” tranquil atmosphere will help facilitate a more “at ease” experience for his clientele.
A final career destination with family
Matthew has always known that he would reach this point of success in the opening of his funeral home facility. Even through the course of his extensive job history along the way. He’s worked in the food service management industry to construction management positions, to even having his own insurance agency, which is still active locally (Houston-Lovett & Associates Insurance Agency, LLC).
But he has always known that his final career destination would be the opening of his funeral home. Matthew is also fortunate enough to have his supportive family working with him, making his business a true “family business.”
His mother and his son are both employed on staff, and Matthew suspects that his youngest son will be taking over the family business once he gets older. He speculates this because his son is showing signs of being interested in mortuary proceedings (in the same way that Matthew was when he was 7 years old).
This is an exciting time for Matthew and his family, and he is excited to be taking the journey with the people nearest and dearest to him.
Inspiration and determination
Matthew also has many thanks to extend to those who helped him reach this now point of success. He sends a special thanks to his mother and grandmother when it comes to who inspires him the most, regarding his love of serving others.
He says, “I firmly believe in taking care of people because they will take care of you. We grew up with nothing, but my mom and grandma have always helped people; even when they didn’t have. And furthermore, my mom and grandma have always pushed me and taught me to believe in myself. They have always encouraged me, especially through all my hardships. It took a lot of ‘no’s in reaching this point, but with their support and my determination, I am just truly grateful to be here.”
Matthew goes on to give extended thanks to his late aunt, who unexpectedly ignited his mortuary passion.
“I would like to thank my aunt. I have thought about her daily since I was 7, and she continues to be the ongoing inspiration for this business," he said. "Her beautiful spirit continues to be the engine which persistently pushes this dream forward.”
And finally, Matthew’s sends a special, heartfelt thanks to the local mortuary community leaders who have assisted him along the way with various employment opportunities to hone his mortuary expertise under their reign.
He says, “I would like to thank Craig Tremble, James R. Barnes, Payton’s Mortuary, and Michael and Brown Funeral Home for providing the employment opportunities which have guided me along the way to this final point of opening up my own funeral home establishment.”
The Matthew H. Lovett & Son’s Funeral Home is actively accepting calls and serving local families in need of homegoing services and arrangements. For more information on their current services, please visit their website, mhlovettandsonsfuneralhome.com, or contact their facility at (912) 225-3736.
Obituaries from families choosing Matthew H. Lovett & Son's Funeral Home are also listed in Grice Connect's obituary listing. You can view all Bulloch County obituaries by clicking here. Providing families a free obituary listing is a commitment Grice Connect made to the community and is made possible by our generous sponsors.
