Funeral Director Daily

It’s legal to sell body parts. . . .Congress introduces “Body Broker” bill to give some respect to the process

By Funeral Director Daily / July 17, 2023 /

    The following quote came out of a National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) e-mail on June 26, 2023, that announced the introduction of the “Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act” bill into Congress, “In almost every state, it is legal for anyone, even if they do not have training, to sell the human remains…

Can Artificial Intelligence prevent suicide?

By Funeral Director Daily / July 14, 2023 /

      If you have been a funeral director for any length of time the odds are that you have served a family of a suicide death at some point.  I served several over my years as a funeral director and those times were very difficult and stressful for me.  And, I had somewhat…

Another argument for Preneed. . . .

By Funeral Director Daily / July 13, 2023 /

      Americans are taking a loan, early withdrawal, or hardship withdrawal from their retirement plans at record rates according to this article from Yahoo Finance.  And, one of the top reasons why, according to the survey, is to pay for a funeral.   According to the survey released by by the non-profit Transamerica…

Is Private Equity really paying 14 x for InvoCare?

By Funeral Director Daily / July 12, 2023 /

      This article from the Australian Financial Review states that, even as the due diligence period is being extended for giant private equity firm TPG Global in their pursuit of Australia’s largest Death Care company, InvoCare, it is purported that TPG’s offer is more than 14 times the forward forecast EBITDA for InvoCare.…

Here’s some good news from our profession

By Funeral Director Daily / July 11, 2023 /

      I like it when I read about good things happening in the Death Care business.  Sometimes, like this story, the good news grows out of bad deeds. . . but, in the end, it’s how our profession can step up and help that makes me feel good about what we do.  …

CANA convention will feature “Quick take on Current Issues” panel

By Funeral Director Daily / July 10, 2023 /

      The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) will soon be convening their 105th Cremation Innovation Convention in Washington D.C. from August 9-11.  The organization composed of members from the funeral home, cemetery, crematory, supplier, and consultant world will feature a roster of outstanding individuals and topics in their learning workshops throughout the…

Health care costs may drive increased expenses in 2024

By Funeral Director Daily / July 10, 2023 /

    According to this recent article from Yahoo Finance, businesses, including funeral homes, may find their employee health care costs rising by up to 7% in 2024.  And, that is on top of increases of 5.5% in 2022 and 6% this year.   According to the article, “. . .hospitals and providers will often…

How much debt is too much?

By Funeral Director Daily / July 7, 2023 /

  Funeral Director Daily ran an article last Friday on the offer made by Park Lawn Corporation in its quest to acquire Carriage Services.  You can read that article here.   One of the reader comments to the article indicated that Carriage Services carried “too much debt” and that was hampering, and will continue to…

The Supreme Court and the student debt decision

By Funeral Director Daily / July 6, 2023 /

      This topic might seem like a reach in a blog with the title of Funeral Director Daily.  However, there are a great many funeral directors working in the field right now whom this decision will probably affect in a negative fashion and owners of funeral homes, who have these young people as…

Tired of reading? . . . .then, here’s some good podcasts and voice articles we have found for you!

By Funeral Director Daily / July 5, 2023 /

      This afternoon we are bringing you a great conversation that our friends, Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy, have at the “Two Guys and a Question” podcast.  In this 10-minute podcast Creedy and Jefferson take on the question, “Embalming:  Is it still relevant?”   Turns out they think so. . . . listen…