Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Funeral Services in Fernandina Beach
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors Funeral Directors has served the Fernandina Beach community since 1931, rooted in a tradition of compassion and dignity. Our historic facility, the John Denham Palmer House, has been meticulously preserved since its construction in 1891, reflecting our commitment to honoring legacies while embracing modern needs. With over 90 years of local expertise, we specialize in personalized funeral arrangements, cremation services, and veterans' benefits coordination.Our team of licensed professionals brings decades of combined experience, ensuring families receive tailored support during their most challenging moments. We prioritize transparency, ethical service, and community trust, offering pre-planning consultations to alleviate future burdens. As one of Nassau County's oldest continuous businesses, we remain dedicated to preserving traditions while adapting to evolving needs.
Services
Funeral Services
Cremation Services
Veterans Benefits
Pre-Planning
Obituary Listings
Details
- Year established: 1931
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 immediate assistance for funeral arrangements.
- Our facility includes Nassau County's only on-site crematorium.
- Specialized veterans' burial benefits coordination with local expertise.
- Personalized pre-planning services reduce future emotional and financial burdens.
- Historic, well-preserved facility reflects decades of community trust.
What people say
24/7 availability
Veterans' expertise
Historic facility
Cremation transparency
Personalized service
Services
Funeral Services
We create personalized funeral services honoring individual legacies through customized ceremonies. Our directors guide families in selecting meaningful tributes, from traditional religious services to unique celebrations of life. With access to historic facilities and modern amenities, we ensure every detail reflects the deceased's personality and family wishes while maintaining compassionate support throughout the process.
Cremation Services
Our on-site crematorium provides dignified cremation services with full transparency and care. Families may choose from private viewings, memorial ceremonies, or direct cremation options. We offer biodegradable urns, scattering services, and permanent memorialization choices while maintaining strict adherence to ethical standards and legal requirements for cremation procedures in Nassau County.
Veterans Benefits
We specialize in securing full military honors and burial benefits for veterans. Our team coordinates flag presentations, rifle salutes, and VA reimbursement documentation. With decades of experience, we ensure families receive earned benefits including headstones, burial allowances, and presidential memorial certificates while navigating complex eligibility requirements with compassionate expertise.
Pre-Planning
Our pre-planning services allow individuals to document final wishes while alleviating family burdens. We provide comprehensive consultations covering service preferences, cost guarantees, and legal documentation. This proactive approach ensures personal wishes are honored while protecting loved ones from decision-making stress during emotional times through structured, revocable arrangements.
Obituary Listings
We craft detailed obituaries celebrating individual lives through our online memorial platform. Each listing includes biographical details, service information, and family tributes. Our digital archives preserve community history while providing global access to loved ones. We also coordinate newspaper publications and maintain an organized system for public viewing of current and past obituaries.
People
John H. Heard
Owner
Licensed funeral director with 50+ years of local experience, operating since 1974. Graduated from Texas College of Mortuary Science in 1969, maintaining Florida and Georgia licenses while preserving Fernandina's historic funeral traditions.
Kyle Adkins
Funeral Director
Third-generation funeral director serving since 2015. Georgia licensed with 30+ years in mortuary science, combining family tradition with modern practices. Graduated from Gupton-Jones College in 1991 while maintaining deep community connections through compassionate service.
Robert C. Smith
Funeral Director
Florida-licensed director since 1976, serving local families for 35+ years. Fernandina native with expertise in cultural traditions and memorial customs. Committed to community service while balancing technical proficiency with empathetic support during difficult times.
Jacob D. Mckinney
Accounts Manager
Native Fernandina resident managing financial arrangements since 2013. High school graduate with specialized training in funeral service accounting, ensuring transparent billing practices and cost management support for grieving families through structured payment options.
Mary Parker Wood
Insurance Administrator
Insurance specialist since 2010, helping families navigate coverage details and benefit claims. Jacksonville native with expertise in funeral cost reimbursement processes, ensuring seamless coordination between insurance providers and families during pre-planning and immediate need situations.
Questions
What funeral service options do you offer?
We provide traditional funerals, cremation services, and customized memorials tailored to family preferences and cultural traditions.
Do you handle veterans' burial benefits?
Yes, we specialize in securing full military honors and VA benefits for veterans' families.
Can I pre-plan my funeral arrangements?
Yes, we offer comprehensive pre-planning consultations to document your final wishes in advance.
Is your crematorium on-site?
Yes, we operate Nassau County's only on-site crematorium for complete care continuity.
How can I view current obituaries?
Our website features updated obituary listings with life stories and service information.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities.
Reviews (5)
Elizabeth Venditti
Jan 04, 2022
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I would like to thank Kyle Adkins, one of the Oxley-Heard funeral home directors, for the caring and professionalism he showed to my mother, my family and me as we made arrangements for my father's funeral service and burial transit flight to another state. It began when my father was spending his last precious days in the Baptist Community Hospice and Kyle just seemed to know everybody and everyone involved from the hospice chaplain, to the staff at St. Michaels Church, to dealing with the airlines. He was calm, and thorough, and kind and had the answers to all of our questions. I give the highest
Mary Stewart
Jan 03, 2020
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Can't say enough good things about them. Very caring during a difficult time. They made sure everything went flawlessly. I would recommend them without hesitation.
Eric Webb
Sep 11, 2019
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I can't say enough great things about the fine folks at Oxley-Heard. Losing loved ones is such a difficult time but the excellent team at Oxley-Heard walked us through the process with great respect and caring. Beautiful facilities and great people. I highly recommend Oxley-Heard.
Jayhar
Aug 25, 2019
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Very professional! All aspects of the funeral process went smoothly, including coordinating with the military for an out of state interment. I give my highest recommendation.
Susan Randazzo
Jul 31, 2019
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The staff at Oxley- Heard were kind and compassionate at my family's time of need. They patiently helped us navigate this difficult process and were a true comfort to us. I am very thankful to them for doing everything in their power to make our bereavement easier. I do not hesitate to recommend them highly.
