A multi-billion dollar sector in the US, funeral homes play a vital part in helping families across the nation with their end-of-life needs. In the US, there are thousands of funeral houses, but who owns the majority of them?
Service Corporation International (SCI), often known as Dignity Memorial, is the largest funeral home operator in the US. By 2021, SCI will be in charge of more than 1,800 cemeteries and funeral houses in North America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The corporation was established in 1962, and Houston, Texas serves as its corporate headquarters. SCI not only operates funeral homes but also offers cremation and burial services.
Funeral houses may be owned by private persons, families, businesses, or institutions of religion. While some funeral homes are owned by huge organizations like SCI, others are passed down through generations of families. Some religious organizations, especially those connected to particular religions, may also run funeral homes.
Although “funeral home” and “funeral parlor” are frequently used synonymously, there is a small distinction between the two. An establishment that offers funeral services, such as embalming and preparing the body for burial or cremation, is a funeral home. On the other hand, a funeral home is often referred to as a smaller, more personal space where visitations and viewings are held prior to the funeral ceremony.
Despite common misconception, morticians do not sew lips shut. A mouth former or mouth former device is used to maintain the mouth closed and in a natural position throughout the embalming procedure. The contraption is hidden during the funeral service in the mouth and behind the lips.
The embalming agents used to preserve the body may give funeral homes a distinct odor. The funeral home’s decorations, such as the flowers and other materials, could also be to blame for the odor. To enhance the comfort of the families they serve, funeral establishments must keep their facilities clean and odor-free.
In summary, the funeral home sector is essential to the delivery of end-of-life services to families in the US. Despite the fact that there are thousands of funeral homes in the nation, Service Corporation International (SCI), which controls over 1,800 funeral homes and cemeteries, is the largest operator. The terms “funeral parlor” and “funeral home” are used interchangeably, and funeral houses can be owned by people, families, businesses, or religious institutions. Funeral homes may have a unique odor as a result of the embalming chemicals and other materials employed in the establishment, and morticians do not sew lips shut.