Fuller- Sheffield Funeral Services

Personalized memorials and life celebrations

Located on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services hosts intimate ceremonies and large gatherings for people from all walks of life, all faiths and all cultural backgrounds. Our compassionate associates are experienced in multicultural funerals and treat every family like their own.

We believe that every service should be as unique as the life lived. We take the time to get to know you and your loved one to create an event that honors your special person and gives friends and family a chance to come together and remember.

Whether you want to arrange a traditional funeral, modern celebration of life or cremation memorial, we will work with you one-on-one to ensure your needs and budget are met. From casket or urn selection, to floral arrangements, music selections, decor and catering, mementos and more, we guide you through your choices with care.

Cremation in Austin

We specialize in cremation services that honor loved ones in personalized ways, and families love our all-inclusive pricing options. With expertise in scattering ashes, the option to attend a loved one's cremation, and a friendly team who pays attention to every detail, we provide service that is second to none.

More and more people are choosing cremation over traditional burial, but most aren’t familiar with all the choices:

• a cremation without a funeral or memorial service of any kind.
• a funeral with your loved one present, followed by cremation.
• a cremation followed by a scattering, cemetery memorialization or celebration of life—or all three.

There are many cremation providers from which to choose. Here’s what you can expect when you choose Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services for your loved one’s cremation:

• Custody of care guaranteed. Our identification pendant and custody-of-care program help safeguard the identification of your loved one.
• Exclusive custody of your loved one. Once your loved one is in the care of a Dignity Memorial® provider or trusted partner, they’re in our care until they’re returned to your family.
• Licensed, certified, conscientious staff. All Dignity Memorial crematory operators in Texas are licensed and certified by the Cremation Association of North America, or CANA. Unless there are special circumstances and your family has requested otherwise, only one person at a time is cremated. Additionally, the cremation chamber is thoroughly cleaned before the next person is cremated.

Veterans funerals and burials

We deeply appreciate those who have sacrificed for our freedoms and feel privileged to honor veterans and their families in need of funeral and cremation services. We can arrange for an honor guard and the playing of Taps. Our experienced funeral directors are dedicated to ensuring that every veteran is honored in a manner befitting their service and giving their families the support they need.

Grief support and aftercare

The loss of a loved one can be devastating, and many people don’t know where to turn or how to cope. We’re here to help you during difficult times—you aren’t alone. Though the experience of grief can be very isolating, the articles in our grief library can make a difference in your day-to-day life, and families who plan services with us get access to our 24-hour Compassion Helpline^® (services provided by Charles Nechtem Associates) for up to 13 months after a service.

Funeral planning in advance

In addition to assisting with an immediate need, Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services specializes in working with families to make final arrangements in advance. When you plan ahead, you relieve your family from financial and emotional burdens while ensuring your wishes are fulfilled. We offer in-person and virtual consultations, as well as a free Personal Planning Guide.

Lean on us

The caring and dedicated team at Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services provides exceptional, compassionate service at one of life’s most difficult times. We honor the opportunity to serve you and your family. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please reach out, day or night, if we may assist with funeral or cremation arrangements in Austin. Contact us.

History

William Handy Fuller and Maud Anna Berry Smith Fuller founded Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services as Fuller Funeral Home in Austin community in 1932. Maud was one of Austin's most revered Black civic and religious leaders and is best remembered for her generosity, inspirational speeches, Baptist ministry, teaching abilities and compassion for those less fortunate than herself. She and William were true pioneers, as entrepreneurs, funeral home owners and proud Texans.

In 1937, they bought Rhambo Funeral Parlor, after Nathan W. Rhambo was killed. He'd opened his business off Neches Street since 1911, after serving at Tears Funeral Home. That same year, Fuller Funeral Home moved into the Fuller’s own remodeled, 16-room home, located at 1164 Angelina Street in Austin, across from the Carver Library (now George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center).

After William died in 1941, G.E.M. Mercer became Maud's business partner. The women renamed their business Fuller-Mercer Funeral Home. The business flourished under the Fuller-Mercer name until the death of G.E.M. in 1953. Lloyd Sheffield then became partner with Maud and the funeral home became named as we know it today: Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services.

Lloyd died in 1970, followed two years later by Maud. At 103 years old, she was laid to rest in Austin's Evergreen Cemetery. Jesse Mercer became funeral director in charge at that time. The funeral home was moved to its current location on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in 1984. Jesse ran it until his death in 1998.

In the years after Jesse's passing, the funeral home changed hands a few times, eventually becoming part of the Dignity Memorial family of funeral home, cremation and cemetery providers in 2022.