Service Corporation International is the largest funeral and cemetery company in North America
Service Corporation International (SCI) owns and operates more than 1,500 funeral homes and cemeteries across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. If you are planning a funeral or burial, or if you already own a cemetery plot through SCI, understanding how the company works and what services it provides will help you make decisions about your arrangements and costs.
SCI operates under many local brand names — you may know them as Dignity Memorial, Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, Funeral Partners, or regional names specific to your area. The company does not operate under a single national brand; instead, it maintains the names and local identities of the funeral homes and cemeteries it has acquired over decades. This means the funeral home or cemetery you contact may not advertise that it is part of SCI.
The company handles the full range of funeral and cemetery services: embalming, cremation, casket and urn sales, grave opening and closing, monument sales, and maintenance of cemetery grounds. SCI also manages pre-need arrangements, which means you can plan and pay for your funeral or burial in advance.
Key Takeaways
- Service Corporation International owns more than 1,500 funeral homes and cemeteries but operates them under local brand names, so you may not know you are working with SCI until you ask or see paperwork.
- SCI charges separately for funeral services (embalming, cremation, viewing) and cemetery services (plot, opening, closing, maintenance), and you can use different providers for each.
- Pre-need contracts lock in prices for future services but also lock you into SCI's terms, so read the cancellation and transfer policies before signing.
- If you own a plot or pre-need contract with SCI, you can transfer it to another cemetery or funeral home, but SCI may charge a transfer fee and the receiving facility may have its own requirements.
- SCI is a publicly traded company, so its financial stability is a matter of public record, but like any large corporation it has faced lawsuits and complaints about pricing and service.
How SCI's Funeral and Cemetery Services Are Priced
SCI separates its charges into two categories: funeral services and cemetery services. A funeral home handles preparation of the body and the service itself. A cemetery handles the plot, the opening and closing of the grave, and ongoing maintenance. You do not have to use the same company for both — you can choose a funeral home from one provider and a cemetery from another.
Funeral service costs typically include a basic service fee (charged whether or not there is a viewing), embalming, use of facilities for a viewing or service, a hearse, and a casket or urn. Cremation is usually priced separately and costs less than a traditional burial with embalming. Cemetery costs include the plot itself, opening and closing fees, and a perpetual care fee that funds ongoing maintenance of the grounds.
SCI publishes a General Price List for each funeral home and cemetery location, which federal law requires funeral homes to provide before you make purchases. You can request this list by phone or in person, and you should review it before committing to any services. Prices vary significantly by location and by the specific services you choose.
Pre-Need Contracts: Locking in Prices Before You Need Them
A pre-need contract is an agreement to pay for funeral or cemetery services in advance, before they are needed. SCI offers pre-need contracts at most of its locations. The main advantage is that you lock in current prices, which protects you and your family from inflation. The main disadvantage is that your money is tied up, and the terms of the contract determine what happens if you change your mind or move.
Before you sign a pre-need contract with SCI, read the cancellation policy carefully. Some contracts allow you to cancel and receive a full refund within a certain period (often 30 days). Others allow cancellation but charge a penalty. Some contracts are non-cancellable after a set date. The contract should also explain whether your money is held in a trust account (which protects it if the company fails) or in the company's general operating account (which does not).
If you move or decide you want to use a different cemetery or funeral home, you can usually transfer a pre-need contract, but SCI may charge a transfer fee and the new facility may have its own requirements or may not accept the contract at all. Ask about transfer policies before you sign.
Transferring a Plot or Pre-Need Contract Away from SCI
If you own a cemetery plot through SCI and want to transfer it to another cemetery, or if you have a pre-need contract and want to use a different funeral home or cemetery, you have the right to do so. However, the process and any associated costs depend on the terms of your deed or contract and on the policies of the receiving facility.
Start by contacting the SCI cemetery or funeral home where your plot or contract is held and ask for the transfer procedure and any fees involved. SCI may charge a transfer or administrative fee. You will also need to contact the cemetery or funeral home where you want to move the plot or contract and ask whether they accept transfers and what their requirements are.
If you are transferring a plot, the receiving cemetery will need a copy of your deed and proof of ownership. If you are transferring a pre-need contract, the receiving funeral home or cemetery will need a copy of the contract and may require you to sign new paperwork. Some facilities will not accept pre-need contracts from other providers and will ask you to cancel the original contract and sign a new one with them.
SCI's Financial Stability and Complaint History
Service Corporation International is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SCI. This means its financial statements are public and you can research the company's revenue, debt, and profitability through financial databases and the company's investor relations website. The company has been in business since 1962 and is the largest death care company in North America by revenue.
Like any large corporation, SCI has faced lawsuits and complaints. Common complaints include unexpected charges added to bills, difficulty canceling pre-need contracts, and disputes over the quality of service. Some states have taken enforcement action against SCI locations for violations of funeral home regulations. You can file a complaint about a specific funeral home or cemetery with your state's funeral board or consumer protection agency.
The fact that SCI is large and publicly traded does not may provide that every location operates the same way or that you will have a good experience. The quality of service and the professionalism of staff vary by location. If you are considering a pre-need contract or planning a funeral, it is worth calling a few different funeral homes and cemeteries in your area to compare prices and services, not just SCI locations.
What to Ask Before You Sign Anything with SCI
Before you commit to a funeral home, cemetery, or pre-need contract with any SCI location, ask these questions in writing and get the answers in writing:
- What is included in the basic service fee, and what costs are separate?
- What is the cancellation policy, and what are the penalties if I cancel?
- If I have a pre-need contract, is my money held in a trust account or in the company's general account?
- What is the transfer fee if I want to move my plot or contract to another cemetery or funeral home?
- What happens to my pre-need contract if the funeral home or cemetery closes or is sold?
- Are there any additional fees I should expect, such as for opening and closing the grave, or for monument installation?
Request a copy of the General Price List and the full text of any contract before you sign. Do not rely on verbal promises or handwritten notes. If a salesperson pressures you to sign quickly or says you cannot take the contract home to review it, that is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a funeral home or cemetery near me is owned by Service Corporation International?
You can search SCI's website or call the funeral home or cemetery directly and ask. Many SCI locations operate under local brand names and do not advertise their parent company. If you are not sure, ask for the owner's name or the parent company name before you sign anything.
Can I cancel a pre-need contract with SCI and get my money back?
It depends on the contract. Some SCI pre-need contracts allow cancellation with a full refund within 30 days. Others charge a penalty or do not allow cancellation after a certain date. Read your contract or call the location where you signed it and ask about the specific cancellation terms that explore to your contract.
What if I move to another state and want to transfer my SCI plot to a cemetery there?
You can transfer the plot, but you will need to contact both the SCI cemetery (to request the transfer and ask about fees) and the cemetery in your new state (to ask whether they accept transfers and what their requirements are). The process can take several weeks and may involve paperwork from both cemeteries and possibly a lawyer.
Is my money safe if I sign a pre-need contract with SCI?
It depends on whether your money is held in a trust account or in the company's general account. Ask the funeral home or cemetery before you sign, and request written confirmation. Money in a trust account is protected by law if the company fails. Money in the company's general account is not.
What should I do if I have a complaint about an SCI funeral home or cemetery?
Contact your state's funeral board or consumer protection agency and file a written complaint. Include the location's name, the date of the service or transaction, and a detailed description of the problem. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces funeral home regulations at the national level.