1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1




                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ R. L. Waltrip
                                        ----------------------------
                                        R. L. WALTRIP
   2
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ ANTHONY L. COELHO
                                        ----------------------------
                                        ANTHONY L. COELHO
   3
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ Douglas M. Conway
                                        ----------------------------
                                        DOUGLAS M. CONWAY
   4
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ Jack Finkelstein
                                        ----------------------------
                                        JACK FINKELSTEIN
   5
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ A. J. Foyt, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------
                                        A. J. FOYT, JR.
   6
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.





                                        /s/ James J. Gavin, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------
                                        JAMES J. GAVIN, JR.
   7
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ James H. Greer
                                        ----------------------------
                                        JAMES H. GREER
   8
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ L. William Heiligbrodt
                                        ----------------------------
                                        L. WILLIAM HEILIGBRODT
   9
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ B. D. Hunter
                                        ----------------------------
                                        B. D. HUNTER
   10
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ John W. Mecom, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------
                                        JOHN W. MECOM, JR.
   11
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ Clifton H. Morris, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------
                                        CLIFTON H. MORRIS, JR.
   12
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ E. H. Thornton, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------
                                        E. H. THORNTON, JR.
   13
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ W. Blair Waltrip
                                        ----------------------------
                                        W. BLAIR WALTRIP
   14
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint George R.
Champagne and James M. Shelger his true and lawful attorneys and agents (each
with authority to act alone), with power and authority to sign for and on
behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or director,
or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the Company ending
December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as a part of, as
an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments; and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all that
said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 13th day of February, 1997.




                                        /s/ Edward E. Williams
                                        ----------------------------
                                        EDWARD E. WILLIAMS
   15
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer or director or both, of Service Corporation International, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint James M.
Shelger his true and lawful attorney and agent with power and authority to sign
for and on behalf of the undersigned the name of the undersigned as officer or
director, or both, of the Company to the Company's Annual Report to the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year of the
Company ending December 31, 1996 and to any amendments thereto filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and to any instrument or document filed as
a part of, as an exhibit to or in connection with said Report or amendments;
and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm as his own act and deed all
that said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed these
presents this 21st day of March, 1997.



                                        /s/ George R. Champagne
                                        ----------------------------
                                        GEORGE R. CHAMPAGNE