Our History
Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors has been locally owned and operated by Reuben Chance and Phil Hydrick since it was established in 2004. Together they bring 50 plus years of professional experience to the company. We have maintained the tradition of exceeding the expectations of the families we serve. We are honored to be allowed membership in the prestigious funeral organizations NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association), the IFDG (Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia), the GFDA (Georgia Funeral Directors Association), and the CANA (Cremation Association of North America.)
The death of a loved one is emotionally devastating and financially difficult. We are compassionate, accommodating, understanding, and welcoming. We are here to serve you with the respect you and your loved one deserve. We strive to lessen the stress, anxiety, and grief that families feel during times of loss. Families can depend on us to plan personal, lasting memorials for their loved ones and our professional staff commits to guide every family through the many hard decisions that must be made during the challenging and emotional time of losing their loved one.
Our funeral chapel is the largest in Augusta, with a seating capacity of 450. We also know it is the little things that our families hold dear, whether through a personal video, a photo collage, or the integration of personal items into the funeral service, we work with families to make each service unique and meaningful.
If you need help making funeral or cremation arrangements, or are looking for general information on preplanning your funeral, please feel free to look around our website, call us at 706-790-8567, or stop by in person.
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Reuben C Chance IV, Owner and Funeral Director and Embalmer
Reuben, owner of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, has been involved in funeral service for over 40 years. Reuben has lived in Burke and Richmond Counties all of his life. He is a graduate of Edmund Burke Academy, Waynesboro, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, in Atlanta. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Georgia and South Carolina and is a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers, and is an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Evans, GA. He is married to Debra Holt Chance, and together they have a daughter, Raleigh Catherine Chance, and a son, Pen Chance.
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Phil Hydrick, Owner and Funeral Director and Embalmer
Phil, owner of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, was drawn to the funeral business by his desire to help others. He is a native of the CSRA and a graduate of Evans High School, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, in Atlanta. He is a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, and is an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Augusta. He is married to Lora Hillesland Hydrick and they have one daughter, Mary Catherine Casella Hydrick.
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Debra Chance, Controller
Debra is a native of Augusta and a graduate of Hephzibah High School. She earned degrees from both Augusta College and the Medical College of Georgia. She is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and past Treasurer for the Augusta Players. She is married to Reuben Chance.
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Margaret Wehn, Receptionist and Visitation
Margaret, a native of Augusta, began working with Chance & Hydrick in 2011. She is an active member of Fleming Baptist Church and has spent time doing mission work in Russia and Romania.
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Timothy Pendrey. PhD, Funeral Assistant
Tim, a native of Augusta, is a graduate of Butler High School, and has been with Chance & Hydrick since 2012. He pastors two local churches, Duharts Baptist Church and Providence Baptist Church, both in Jefferson County. Tim has served as the Chaplain at University Hospital since 2001. He is a member of American Chaplain Association and Georgia Christian Counselors Association.
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Chris Williford, Funeral Assistant
Chris, a native of Sandersville, Georgia, has lived in Augusta since 2007. He is a licensed and ordained minister through the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He serves as Pastor at Believers Fellowship in Evans.
