Moss Service Funeral Home was recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates with the firm’s President’s Award, which went to parent company Service Corporation International (SCI) for 2016. Pictured from left are Moss staff members Shane Dillard, Lacie Nail, Mike Pepple, Gary Murphree, Randy Speakman and Keith Pattillo.

Moss Service Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes owned by parent company Service Corporation International (SCI), has been recognized by national market research giant J.D. Power and Associates with the firm’s President’s Award — an honor that’s been given out only 12 times in J.D. Power’s 40-year history.

“SCI’s achievement in terms of customer service excellence reflects a culture committed to service, as well as its continuous and rigorous improvement through measuring, monitoring and innovation that exceed customer expectations and promotes a culture of service excellence throughout its locations,” J.D. Power said in a release.

Moss Service Director Mike Pepple said Tuesday the staff considers the award high praise from a nationally respected source of consumer information.

“We’re very honored and humbled by this award,” said Pepple. “It is a high honor for a company to receive this. We pride ourselves on service, and we make a point in our staff meetings to talk about how service is 50 percent of our name. It’s gratifying and humbling to be recognized for that.”

Locally, Moss Service boasts a staff that shares more than 150 years of experience in their field. Senior staff members like Gary Murphree, Randy Speakman and Keith Pattillo work alongside newer members, like Shane Dillard and Lacie Nail to ensure continuity of quality service as the funeral home looks to the future, Pepple noted.

According to J.D. Power, the award was presented “in appreciation and recognition of [SCI’s] commitment to excellence in customer satisfaction. SCI is North America’s largest provider of funeral and cemetery services.

“SCI, operating under its brands Dignity Memorial and Neptune Society, has a rich history of caring for families with compassion, dignity and honor in their time of stress and sorrow,” said J.D. Power president Finbarr O’Neill. “Since Mr. [Robert L. ] Waltrip founded the company in 1962, SCI has embraced its clients with respect, integrity and service-excellence.”

“This award just makes us double own on our efforts, and our desires to serve our community,” said Pepple. “It’s truly been an honor for all our staff, and we’re grateful to the people in our community for allowing us to build relationships, and for continuing to serve them.”