What to Know About Shives Funeral Home in South Carolina
Shives Funeral Home serves families across South Carolina with funeral planning and burial services
Shives Funeral Home operates multiple locations throughout South Carolina, offering traditional funeral services, cremation options, and cemetery arrangements. The funeral home handles the practical details of planning a service—from coordinating with cemeteries to managing paperwork—so families can focus on gathering and remembering. Each location maintains its own staff and facilities, though they operate under the same organization.
The funeral home works with families to create services that reflect their preferences and budget. Whether you're planning ahead or making arrangements after a loss, Shives staff can walk you through the options available and explain what each choice involves.
Key Takeaways
- Shives Funeral Home has multiple locations across South Carolina, each with its own facilities and staff.
- The funeral home offers traditional funerals, cremation services, and cemetery coordination at different price points.
- You can contact your local Shives location directly to discuss arrangements, pricing, and service options before or after a death occurs.
- Funeral homes are required to provide a price list and itemized cost breakdown, which you can request by phone or in person.
- Pre-planning services allow you to document your wishes and lock in current prices before arrangements become urgent.
Finding the Shives location nearest you
Shives operates funeral homes in several South Carolina communities. To find the location closest to you, search online for "Shives Funeral Home" plus your city or county name, or call directory assistance. Each location maintains its own phone number and address.
When you contact a location, staff can tell you whether they serve your area and what services they offer. If the nearest Shives is not convenient, they can also refer you to other funeral homes in your region.
What services Shives provides and how pricing works
Shives offers several service categories: traditional funeral services with viewing and burial, cremation with or without a memorial service, and direct burial or cremation without a formal ceremony. Costs vary significantly depending on which services you choose. A traditional funeral with viewing typically costs more than cremation alone, and cemetery fees are separate from funeral home charges.
South Carolina law requires funeral homes to provide an itemized price list showing the cost of each service separately—casket, embalming, facility rental, transportation, and so on. You can request this list by phone before visiting, or ask for it when you arrive. This breakdown helps you understand exactly what you are paying for and where you can make choices to fit your budget.
Some families choose to purchase a casket or urn elsewhere and bring it to the funeral home, which may reduce costs. Ask whether Shives allows outside purchases and whether there are any fees for using items you provide.
Pre-planning your funeral arrangements
Pre-planning means documenting your wishes and sometimes paying in advance while you are able to make clear decisions. Shives offers pre-planning services that let you specify the type of service you want, choose a casket or urn, and decide on burial or cremation. This information is recorded and kept on file.
Pre-planning does not require you to pay immediately. Some people pay in full ahead of time to lock in current prices; others simply document their wishes so their family knows what they wanted. Either way, having a plan in writing reduces confusion and stress for the people who will be making arrangements after your death.
To learn about pre-planning options, contact your local Shives location and ask to speak with someone about their pre-planning program. They can explain what information they collect and what payment options are available.
Working with cemeteries and burial plots
If you plan to be buried, you will need a plot in a cemetery. Some families already own plots; others need to purchase one. Shives can coordinate with cemeteries on your behalf, but the cemetery itself—whether it is a public municipal cemetery, a private cemetery, or a church cemetery—sets its own prices and policies.
The funeral home handles logistics like opening and closing the grave, but you pay the cemetery directly for the plot itself. If you do not already own a plot, ask Shives which cemeteries they work with regularly and what the typical costs are in your area. This helps you budget for the full cost of burial, not just the funeral home's services.
Understanding what happens after you contact Shives
When you call or visit Shives, staff will ask basic information: the person's name, age, and whether the death has already occurred. If you are pre-planning, they will ask about your preferences. If you are arranging a funeral after a death, they will need to know where the person is currently (hospital, home, or another location) so they can arrange to transport the body to the funeral home.
The funeral home will then guide you through choosing services, reviewing costs, and selecting a date and time for any viewing or service. You will sign documents authorizing the services you have chosen. If the person has a will or has left instructions about their funeral, bring those documents with you—they may specify preferences that affect your choices.
After the service, Shives handles coordination with the cemetery if burial is planned, or arranges for cremation if that is your choice. They will provide you with a death certificate and other paperwork you may need for insurance, banking, or legal matters.
Questions to ask when you contact Shives
Before you visit or commit to services, it helps to know what information to request. Ask about the specific services offered at that location, request the itemized price list, and ask whether they allow outside caskets or urns. If you have a tight budget, ask what the least expensive options are and whether they offer payment plans.
If you are pre-planning, ask what information they record, how long the plan is kept on file, and what happens if you move out of state. If you have specific religious or cultural preferences for the service, mention them early so staff can tell you whether they can accommodate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pre-plan a funeral without paying anything upfront?
Yes. Pre-planning typically means documenting your wishes in writing so your family knows what you want. Many funeral homes keep this information on file at no charge. You can choose to pay in advance if you want to lock in current prices, but it is not required to create a plan.
What if I want to be cremated but still have a service?
Shives offers cremation with a memorial service, which means the body is cremated and the family gathers for a ceremony afterward. This costs less than a traditional funeral with viewing but still allows people to gather and remember. Ask about pricing for this option when you call.
Do I have to use Shives' casket, or can I buy one elsewhere?
Many funeral homes, including Shives, allow you to purchase a casket from another vendor and bring it to them. However, some charge a fee for using an outside casket. Call ahead and ask about their policy and any associated costs before you shop elsewhere.
How do I know if Shives serves my area?
Search online for "Shives Funeral Home" plus your city name, or call directory assistance. Each Shives location has its own phone number. When you call, staff can confirm whether they serve your area and what services are available at that location.
What paperwork do I need to bring when I contact Shives?
If you are pre-planning, bring any written wishes or instructions you have. If you are arranging a funeral after a death, bring the person's Social Security number, insurance information, and any documents about their wishes. If they have a will, bring that too. Shives will tell you what else they need as you work through the process.