In some aspects, a method of the technology can include steps for sending a packet along a service function chain (SFC) to an egress node, the SFC comprising a plurality of service function forwarders (SFFs), wherein each SFF is associated with at least one service function (SF), and receiving the packet at a first SFF in the SFC, wherein the first SFF is associated with a first SF. In some aspects, the first SFF can also be configured to perform operations including: reading an option flag of the packet, and determining whether to forward the packet to the first based on the option flag. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.