When you drive down North Lake Drive in Lexington, you can’t really miss the big, stately house sitting at 503. That’s the Caughman Harman Funeral Home Lexington Chapel. It’s one of those local landmarks people see every day but never really want to think about until, well, they suddenly have to. Honestly, most folks around here have a few misconceptions about how the place actually works or who’s behind the scenes.
Is it just a corporate chain? Is it still a "local" spot? Why is it in a house built before the Civil War?
If you're dealing with a loss or just trying to be a responsible adult and pre-plan, there’s a lot of noise to sift through. Dealing with the "business" of death is always a little weird and uncomfortable, but it helps to know the actual history and the people running the show.
The Weird, Long History of the Lexington Chapel
The building itself is kind of incredible. It was built around 1850. Think about that for a second—that's a decade before the Civil War even started. It survived the burning of Columbia (and the surrounding areas) and eventually became a funeral home in 1966.
That’s when Steve Caughman and Harry Harman decided to join forces. Steve had been running Sale Funeral Home, and Harry had his own spot. They merged, moved into this historic pre-Civil War house, and basically became the go-to guys for Lexington County.
For years, these guys were everywhere. Back in the 60s, funeral homes actually ran the local ambulance services because the county didn't have a dedicated EMS yet. Caughman-Harman literally donated the first "Ambulance-wagons" to the Chapin and Pelion volunteer fire departments. They weren't just guys in suits; they were basically part of the emergency response team.
Who actually owns it now?
This is where people get confused. You’ll hear some folks say it’s locally owned and others say it’s a big corporation. Kinda both?
Today, it’s part of the Dignity Memorial network (owned by SCI), which is huge. But the Caughman name is still all over the place. Stephen Todd Caughman and Brent Hampton Caughman—Steve’s sons—still manage the operations. It’s that weird middle ground where you have the massive resources of a national network but the guys actually running the day-to-day grew up right here in Lexington.
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What You’re Actually Looking at for Costs
Let's be real: funerals are expensive. Nobody likes talking about the money part, but you've gotta know what you’re getting into.
Based on 2025/2026 market data in South Carolina, a full traditional service at the Lexington Chapel usually lands somewhere between $8,000 and $10,000 once you factor in the casket and the burial vault.
If you just want the basics, here’s a rough breakdown of what the "General Price List" (which they are legally required to give you, by the way) usually looks like:
- Professional Services Fee: This is the big one, usually around $3,995. It covers the overhead, the licenses, and the staff's time to coordinate everything.
- Embalming: Usually hits around $995.
- The "Extras": Using the chapel for a ceremony is about $795, and a viewing or visitation is another $495.
- Cremation: If you skip the traditional burial, a direct cremation is typically around $2,700 to $3,000.
It’s a lot. But one thing people get wrong is thinking you have to buy the $5,000 mahogany casket. You don’t. You can bring in your own casket from an outside vendor, and by law, they can’t charge you a fee for using it. Most people don't know that.
The "One-Stop Shop" Setup
One of the reasons Caughman Harman Funeral Home Lexington stays so busy is because of their setup. They have a crematory on-site. In fact, they pride themselves on having the first crematory in South Carolina and being CANA-certified.
Why does that matter?
Well, it means your loved one never actually leaves their care. In some smaller homes, they have to transport the body to a third-party crematory in another town. Here, everything stays under one roof. They also have their own cemeteries—Woodridge Memorial Park and Southland Memorial Gardens are closely tied in.
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Personalization (The Non-Stuffy Stuff)
Funerals used to be these super stiff, "black suit only" affairs. It’s not really like that anymore.
I’ve heard stories of them doing "celebrations of life" where they bring in catering—literally everything from light appetizers to full-plated meals. They have an atrium with a fountain and a fireplace in the lobby that makes it feel way less like a "funeral home" and more like a high-end Southern estate.
One family recently did a dove release. Another focused the whole service on the deceased’s love for the Gamecocks. They even do military honors for veterans, which is a big deal in a town like Lexington with so many retired military families.
The Real Talk: Reviews and What to Watch Out For
Look, no business is perfect, especially one dealing with people on the worst day of their lives.
Most people rave about the compassion. You’ll see names like Kevin Sharpe or Samantha Jane Parker pop up in reviews quite a bit. People feel like they were "carried" through the process.
But, if you look at the feedback from the last year or so, there are occasional hiccups. Some families have complained about communication delays or a lack of "leadership" during the actual burial ceremony. One person mentioned a specific song they requested didn't get played.
It’s a reminder that even with a big staff, you have to be very clear about your expectations. Don't assume they know exactly what you want. Write it down. Double-check the "Order of Service" before it goes to print.
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Actionable Steps for Lexington Families
If you're in the position where you need to deal with this right now, or if you're just planning ahead so your kids don't have to deal with it later, here is what you actually need to do:
1. Ask for the GPL immediately.
The General Price List is your best friend. Don't just look at the "packages." Look at the line items. You can often save a few thousand dollars by opting out of things you don't actually care about.
2. Check the "Transferability" of Pre-plans.
If you bought a plan in another state or with another Dignity provider, it usually transfers to the Lexington Chapel. But you need to verify that before the time of need.
3. Use the reception space.
Honestly, trying to host 50 people at your house after a funeral is a nightmare. If you have the budget, use their reception room. It saves you the stress of cleaning your house while you're grieving.
4. Consider the Cremation Cube.
If you're going the cremation route but want something different than a traditional urn, they have these birch "Cremation Cubes" and even Memento Chests that look more like high-end furniture than a vessel for ashes.
5. Don't feel pressured into "The Best."
The staff is professional, but at the end of the day, it's a business. If a $2,000 casket is what you can afford, stand your ground. A meaningful service isn't defined by the price of the box.
The Caughman Harman Funeral Home Lexington has been around longer than most of the shopping centers on Sunset Blvd. Whether you love the corporate backing or miss the old-school local feel, they are a massive part of how this town says goodbye.