Our History
Welcome
Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home has been a continuous presence in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area for over a century. Since 1915, families have relied upon the dignified, sensitive and devoted care provided to both family and their Loved One. We are honored by the trust that families have placed in us by past generations and by generations to come. We operate based on our motto, derived from our longevity, generations of family’s loyalty and professional staff.
“OUR HISTORY AND DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION
IS OUR LEGACY”
IS OUR LEGACY”
Even though Fouché’s cares for those who have passed, we care about the living as well. For over a century, Fouché’s has also been a major contributor to improve and enhance the lives of people in the community and through our “Rest of Your Life Planning.”
Our History
Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home has served the Oakland, California Community and surrounding Bay Area since 1915. Fouché’s owes its history and longevity to families, employees and owners. The words in our motto “OUR HISTORY AND DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION IS OUR LEGACY” is validated because of them.
In 1915, Mr. Luther Hudson and Mr. Butler established Hudson and Butler Funeral Home. The business was located at 953 8th street in a beautiful and majestic Victorian home. Within a year the partnership dissolved. The business then became Hudson Funeral Home. In 1943, Aramis and Yvonne Fouché purchased the funeral home from Mr. Hudson. In 1966, the name was changed to Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home. After the death of Mr. Fouché in 2001, his widow Aloysia Fouché became owner. Today Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home is the oldest independently owned African American Funeral Home in the Far Western Region of the United States.
Mr. Luther and Ida Hudson
Mr. Luther Hudson was born in Henry County, Missouri in 1882. He studied mortuary science at Worsham School in Chicago, Illinois. After graduation in 1915, he moved to California with his wife, Ida Mosley. That same year he established Hudson and Butler Funeral Home. Mr. Butler left the partnership within a year. Little is known about Mr. Butler. Mr. Hudson owned Hudson Funeral Home for 28 years. Luther Hudson was also one of the original founders of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance, the largest black owned insurance company in the Western United States.
Mr. Aramis and Yvonne Fouché
On June 15, 1943, Mr. Aramis Fouché and his wife, Yvonne, bought Hudson Funeral Home. On July 15, 1943, Hudson Funeral Home continued under the ownership of the Fouchés.
The Black Influx
In 1943, when Mr. Fouché began the operation of Hudson Funeral Home, World War II was also underway.
The pre-war Black population in the City of Oakland increased tremendously. Mostly railroad, refinery and shipyard work were readily available. With steady income Black businesses began to prosper and new ones were established to meet basic and social needs of the new families. Nationally acclaimed black entertainers and bands flocked to Oakland. Oakland soon became known as the Harlem of the West.
It was also the period that emphasized one of America’s infamous ironies. Black funeral homes got business by referrals from white funeral directors. White funeral homes would not service Blacks.
Because most of the families had no “real” roots in Oakland, the deceased were shipped “back home” for burial. But post war attitudes and jobs changed things. Oakland was now home.
People found comfort in funeral homes. That was the place that preserved that aspect of their culture. Funerals brought family and friends together from far and near. Often funerals were delayed waiting for the arrival, by segregated train, of relatives still living in the south.
The New 8th and Myrtle
In the early 50’s, Mr. Fouché remodeled the exterior and interior of the Victorian Home. The new facade was a bold architectural style at the time. The modern look intrigued the community. It is this design that is remembered as 8th and Myrtle.
Open House was held in 1953. The remodeled building was a grand event. It attracted hundreds. Ministers of all faiths and denominations gathered at the newly finished Hudson Funeral Home for a rededication service. This marked the first time in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area that religious leaders assembled together for such a service.
On display were the latest in vehicles, the best furniture, modern offices, artwork, well dressed staff and a new organ. Grey and black vehicles and attire were introduced and became the identifying colors of the Hudson Funeral Home.
Black History was prevalent throughout the funeral home. Historical events and the achievements of Blacks were depicted through paintings and artifacts. Each repose room bore the name of Freedom Fighters and Black Inventors. Family and friends were directed to the Harriett Tubman, Phyllis Wheatley, George Washington Carver or Marcus Garvey rooms for viewing. The funeral home educated and reminded visitors of the struggle leading to the emancipation of Black people and the awareness that more struggles were to come to achieve equality. The funeral home was a Black History museum and experience.
Telegraph Avenue
Twenty-three years after Mr. Fouché purchased the funeral home abrupt change came to Hudson Funeral Home. The remodeled site at 953 8th Street was no longer home. Hudson Funeral Home became a victim of eminent domain to make way for Urban Renewal and was forced to relocate.
On May 21, 1966, new doors opened at 3665 Telegraph Avenue and the new name of Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home was revealed on the newly erected sign. Now Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home bore the name of both Hudson and Fouché for an unbroken chain of ownership of this prestigious African American owned business.
The A-Frame architecture gave the building a stately look. The architecture was modern with clean and simplified lines. The bold rock facing was extremely distinctive. It gave an earthy feel that was chic yet at the same time understated. It was classy. The interior had an atrium off the lobby with a beautiful water fountain and garden. The fountain could be seen from the lobby, slumber rooms, the chapel and Mr. Fouché’s office. The beautiful “Chapel of Peace” had the latest style and comfortable pews and was the largest chapel in any Oakland funeral home. The exquisite stain glass windows in the chapel were the focal point. The chapel, as all the rest of the funeral home, had the latest public address system with speakers in every room of the funeral home. A “Community Room” offered additional space for families to gather, have a repast and to hold meetings. It was equipped with a kitchen. Furniture and artwork were the highest quality. And there was another new top of the line organ. The beauty and serenity of the funeral home together with professional services was heartening to families.
From the pleasant greeting at the front door, by one of the 16 staff members, to the conclusion of the business day was a very comforting experience. Fouché’s had a large staff that was trained and expected to serve families meticulously and with courtesy and compassion. Such professional service was inspired by the expert leadership of Mr. Aramis Fouché, Mrs. Yvonne Fouché, Owners; Ms. Lurelia Smiley, Manager/Controller; Mr. C’Aubrey O. Peoples, Operations Manager; and Mr. Maudedue Powell, Public Relation Director.
Trend Setter
Mr. Fouché’s compassion, good taste, business wisdom, desires to be the best and have the best, and futuristic vision made Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home a trend setter. In every decade the funeral home’s exterior and interior, vehicles, exceptional embalming, service, quality merchandise, compassionate, efficient staff and its commitment and involvement in the community continued to be second to none. Mr. Fouché strayed from the traditional black attire for funeral directors. His grey double-breasted suits for men, was another example of Fouché’s class. Fouché’s rolling stock was also changed from black to a grey body with a black top. It is still the signature color for Fouché's. There is no mistake that Fouché's is providing the funeral service when you see a grey and black funeral procession.
The exceptional presentation of a loved one goes back to Mr. Hudson. An advertisement stated, “We specialize in beautifying those we serve.” That exceptional presentation continued. It was known and talked about that, “Mr. Fouché could put a smile on your face.” If you want your loved one to look good, it is said to go to Fouché’s.
Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home has served more than 50,000 families and remains the premier funeral home among African Americans in the Bay Area. Its outstanding reputation is known across the country. Fouché’s was, and still is, a “small” business but a giant in the community.
Mr. Fouché established other businesses including funeral planning. Pre-need planning and Insurance Companies were intended to ease the financial burden at the time of a death. This trend of prearrangement planning is now universally available.
The Funeral Home that Helped to Make a Difference
In the 1960’s, Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home proved to be more than a funeral home. It was a mover and shaker in the community. It was a proponent of the Civil Rights Movement and a leader in the quest for African American economic presence and power in Oakland. Profit from the business financed families in need, churches, organizations and civil rights platforms. Personal and business profit also subsidized Mr. Fouché’s commitment to the African American community by trying to restore the decline of African American owned businesses, to revitalize, establish, support and preserve African American Businesses. In addition, Mr. Fouché cofounded Trans Bay Federal Savings and Loan of San Francisco and First National Bank of Oakland. These financial institutions provided financial assistance to the Black community that was previously denied loans to buy homes, maintain and start businesses and build churches. Unfortunately, after 50 years, some people do not know that the significant impact on social conditions within the African American community in Oakland was due in part to the funeral home. Mr. Fouché felt that for African Americans’ to progress and prosper, the African American community needed economic power and education. Families who patronized the funeral home provided capital for Mr. Fouché to subsidize families in need, support causes for justice and civil rights, lend money to buy homes, start businesses and build churches. Families “gave back” to their community without realizing it. Of those things’ money could not buy, Mr. Fouché went into action. Even with financial help, blacks were barred from buying homes in many areas in Oakland because of the “whites-only” clause in land deeds. He was a part of the successful lobby to have the clause stricken from deeds.
Abrupt Change Came Once Again
After building a successful business with an impeccable reputation, giving of himself, financially supporting civil rights causes while becoming an extremely brilliant presence in the community and the mortuary profession, Mr. Aramis Matthews Fouché passed away in 2001. His widow, Mrs. Aloysia Fouché became owner.
Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home is an institution that has continued to survive and thrive. This is in part due to the communities’ pride and support of black owned businesses, and more so, by maintaining an excellent relationship with families and Mrs. Fouché’s business insight.
Mrs. Aloysia Fouché
Upon the death of Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home’s owner, Aramis Fouché, his widow Aloysia Fouché was faced with the decision to continue her career as an educator or to preserve his legacy and a funeral home that families trusted, and the community valued for 86 years. It was a business, she felt, the families helped to build. She was determined that this black owned business would stand as a tribute to them. She chose Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home and retired from education.
Mrs. Fouché shared Aramis Fouché’s belief that financial stability through work and education leads to economic power. She continues to support, and fund causes to accomplish that belief.
Mrs. Fouché intertwines exceptional funeral service and funding for education toward a vocation. She embellished the concept that skills, education and business ownership lead to financial stability and economic power. She, along with Mary Savoie Stephens, founded the Fouché’s Foundation Fund that gives grants to individuals enrolled in Training/Skills Programs, college or actively engaged in Entrepreneurial Ventures. Fouché’s throughout its history and today, continues to employ African Americans and other minorities and hires and supports minority owned businesses.
She also expanded the Fouché’s educational component with community outreach. She put into motion, “Rest of Life Planning” by offering free group forums which include information on Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, and Signs of Elder Abuse. Mrs. Fouché truly believes and operates the business as, “We care about your loved one and we care about you too.”
Mrs. Fouché preserves the legacy of Mr. Aramis Fouché with a street name change to Aramis Fouché Way. Under Mrs. Fouché’s leadership, Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home reached historical significance in 2015 by becoming the oldest African American family-owned funeral home in the Western Region of the United States. Mrs. Fouché stated “I attribute this longevity to the vision, dedication and determination of our owners, the loyalty of our families, the professionalism of our employees and the support of the community. Together we have made history.”
Her funeral service achievements include: Living Legend Award from 100 Black Women of Funeral Service, City of Oakland Mayor’s Proclamation, Congressional Record submitted before Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Matthews International Trailblazers’ 2015 Distinguish Achievement in Funeral Service Award, and Induction into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Aloysia Fouché
The Centennial Year
Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home continues to be a source of pride in the Bay Area, serving families and religions reflective of the demographics in Oakland with diligence and personalized care. The centennial year began under the management of Mr. Alex S. Gaylor II along with a dedicated, knowledgeable and compassionate staff. A competent staff over the past 100 years has allowed Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home to make and maintain its great reputation. But it is on the shoulders of our African American families that we stand. If it was not for their loyalty, Fouché’s Hudson Funeral Home would not have experienced its Centennial Year. It was a monumental achievement for both the business and the families in the Bay Area. Fouché’s owes its history and longevity to families, employees and owners. The words in our motto “OUR HISTORY AND DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION IS OUR LEGACY” is validated because of them.