You might wonder whether ownership truly matters when it comes to funeral services. After all, as long as the service is professional and compassionate, why should ownership be a concern?

The answer lies in the personal touch and responsiveness that only family-owned funeral homes can provide.

In family-owned funeral homes, the owner is always actively involved in daily operations, including making funeral arrangements and attending services. In contrast, resolving issues with corporate-owned funeral homes can be a protracted process, with decision-makers often inaccessible.

Nationally, almost 25% of all funeral homes are owned by large chains and can sometimes be referred to as the “Walmart’s of funeral service.”

In New Hampshire, corporate-owned, and capital investment company owned firms, represent over 1/3rd of the 65 funeral homes in our small state, and even more are currently in discussion about their succession plans.

Working with a family-owned funeral home, especially during such a personal and emotional time, ensures a level of trust and community connection that can be challenging, if not impossible to replicate, in corporate owned settings.

The impact on local communities

The presence of family-owned funeral homes in local communities carries significant benefits:

Local ownership: Family-owned funeral homes are independently operated and not driven or restricted by shareholders or corporate mandates. A family-owned funeral home’s primary focus is providing the best service possible to their communities.

Legacy of trust: Many family-owned funeral homes have been serving their communities for multiple generations, establishing a true legacy of trust and reliability.

Community involvement: Staff members of family-owned funeral homes are always involved in their communities, both personally and professionally, as well. This helps foster even stronger feelings of trust and familiarity in the community.

Cultural sensitivity:  Family-owned funeral homes are always well-versed in local customs and understand the unique expectations of the families who come to them for help. Corporate owned funeral homes tend to be more impersonal and typically treat people like a number instead of individuals. 

Contributions to the local economy:  Family-owned funeral homes always contribute to the local economy by supporting events and other local organizations, teams and businesses, and even hire local people to help. 

Corporate-owned funeral homes tend to cycle through help for services, pulling employees from other locations instead of hiring locally.

The choice for integrity and compassion

With corporate owned funeral homes, when challenges arise, families must consult with a location manager, then a regional manager, and then further up to the corporate level. 

Funeral costs may be higher at corporate-owned homes than at family-owned ones, as corporate providers are generally accountable to shareholders and focus strictly on financial performance.

One of the largest corporate players in the industry is Service Corporation International (SCI), based in Houston, Texas. ‘SCI’ doesn’t belong to our state association and is not actively involved within its communities. There is also a growing number of smaller organizations that are actively purchasing funeral homes throughout the Northeast at an alarming rate. These private equity firms are looking to make as much profit out of the business as possible. They are certainly not investing back in the business or the local community in any way. 

In contrast, family-owned funeral homes like ours prioritize family needs over profit and aim to provide the highest level of service with compassion and integrity.

The Cournoyer Difference

With so many corporately owned funeral homes in our area... choosing a family-owned funeral home, like ours, is the better choice, and more important than ever.



Here in the Monadnock Region, the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center stands as one of the best examples of a family-owned funeral home with a longstanding commitment to our community.

For five generations, the Cournoyer family has owned and operated this funeral home, making us one of the oldest continually owned family funeral homes in the state. Our dedication extends to supporting local groups and organizations in many ways, which continues to reinforce our strong community ties.

A personal relationship

When a family suffers the loss of a loved one, it can be comforting to know your funeral director. We take every opportunity to be involved in our community, and to create the kind of personal relationships that will allow us to provide the individualized, sensitive service your family deserves.

Personal pride

Unlike a corporately owned funeral home, this is our own. This is our town and this is our business. You can be assured we take great personal pride in keeping our facility and our vehicles in top condition. We are also very proud of our staff and regularly pursue continuing education to maintain the highest level of professional services.

A focus on families, not profits

Corporations answer to shareholders. We answer to you. In our family-owned funeral home, there is no pressure from the corporate headquarters to increase profits. We understand our business will do well only when we serve you well.

A singular focus

All of our attention is devoted to making our funeral home the best it can be in terms of satisfying the needs of our friends and neighbors. We are not distracted nor bound by corporate mandates. We are more flexible, and much more responsive to your needs.

A long-term commitment

In a corporately owned funeral home, personnel changes occur frequently. We all live here. We are your neighbors. It is very important to us to not only fill your current needs, but to build a relationship so you will choose to return to us in the future. We are committed to our community, and when you need us, we will be here.

A knowledge of local customs

Funeral traditions vary greatly around the country. We have a fine understanding and appreciation of our local customs and your expectations. The staff and management assigned to a funeral home by a corporation may be from another state or even a different country. That can create a lack of awareness and cause disappointment when your expectations are not met.

An investment in the community

Just as you do, we turn to our neighbors for services and products. Whenever possible, we choose to do business with other local and family-owned and operated businesses. We also try to support all of our local charities, schools, sports, and other community efforts.

Special services

Because we are attuned to the needs of our community, we can best provide any special services our families need. From preneed planning to aftercare services, you can count on us to understand and provide for your needs.