“Gay-Friendly” SCI in England? The following is from an article by David Northmore in “The Pink Paper,” a British publication, dated November 1, 1996: A multi-million dollar American corporation is cashing in on AIDS deaths in the UK via a helpline claiming to direct the bereaved to gay-friendly undertakers. An investigation by the Pink Paper has revealed how relatives and partners are likely to be referred to one of the 370 UK funeral firms operated in Britain by the helpline’s owners, Texas- based Service Corporation International (SCI). The Corporation is now being probed by the Department of Trade for “acting against the public interest,” and has already been slammed by the Advertising Standards Authority for issuing misleading advertisements. Last year the Corporation launched a National Gay Funeral Advice Helpline claiming to offer the gay and lesbian community a network of “the highest standard of professional, compassionate and unbiased funeral services available.” But the Pink Paper has established the helpline is a marketing front for Service Corporation International’s UK-wide chain of undertakers. Read more

SCI Manipulates Cremation Customers The following arrived in the FAMSA mail:   Enclosed are educational tools for a new program which Service Corporation International (SCI) is imposing on their funeral homes and members of memorial societies who use their facilities. Read more

Stewart Cemetery Practices Deceptive The following was faxed to Maridel Freshwater in the regional office of the Federal Trade Commission by Pierson Ralph, Executive Director, Memorial Society of North Texas. Several editorial comments have been added in italics. Simplicity Plan of Texas, a subsidiary of Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Read more

Loewen’s Cemetery Shake-down Targeting the Poor and Parents Who Have Lost a Child The grandfather got the first call from Hillcrest Gardens in Mt. Holly, NC. Walter owns six lots there. His wife is buried there, and his tiny grandson, too, right on top of his wife. Read more