Business

The “Big, Beautiful Bill”

By Funeral Director Daily / May 19, 2025 /

    If you have not heard about “it” yet, you will soon.  The “it” in this instance is the reprise of the President Trump Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA).  The reason that you will hear about it is that without something being done during the Congressional year of 2025 the laws,…

May is Mental Health Month: Are you okay?

By Funeral Director Daily / May 16, 2025 /

  Back in the years between 2015 and 2021 I served a six-year term on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.  I learned much from that experience over the years that I served.   For my entire life I had grown up, lived, and worked in a small community where self-reliance had been taught…

A Death Care perspective universal to three continents

By Funeral Director Daily / May 15, 2025 /

    John Adams, currently a past-President of Great Britain’s National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), is a change agent in the Death Care space.  His advocacy for an elementary school curriculum that includes a course on “Bereavement” in Great Britain got him time to present the idea in Parliament and impress the members of…

The transformation of Batesville

By Funeral Director Daily / May 14, 2025 /

    In mid-April I received a press release from Batesville that was titled “Batesville empowers Deathcare professionals with Industry-leading Burial, Cremation and Technology solutions at 2025 ICCFA Exhhibition.”  Since that time I’ve had this article in my mind and thought now was as good as any time to share some of my historical insights…

Perfection is the enemy of progress. . . and profitability

By Funeral Director Daily / May 13, 2025 /

  I don’t know where I first heard the saying, “Perfection is the enemy of progress”, but it always sounded somewhat strange to me until I really took the time to see what the cliche meant.  To me, it says that we all want progress, but if we wait until the time is perfect to…

Better Place Forests to become a Non-Profit

By Funeral Director Daily / May 8, 2025 /

    Better Place Forests is one of those ideas whose time has come.  As a 33-year funeral director who has seen the social mores of Death Care move away from the traditional options during that time, I see where there is a place for ideas like Better Place Forest to catch on with a…

Legal Issues, Buying/Selling, Consumer Attitudes, and Preneed: Great webinars lined up for May

By Funeral Director Daily / May 6, 2025 /

    I was always told that you have to “Learn before you Earn” and now I’m told, and I believe, that “Learning is a lifetime endeavor” —  meaning that you never stop learning.   So, if you believe like me, you can take a look at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and WilbertEDU…

Warren Buffett: His management tips would suit your funeral home well

By Funeral Director Daily / May 6, 2025 /

  In 1956 stock analyst Warren Buffett formed what he called Buffett Partnership and in 1970 acquired a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway.  The company assumed that name and went on to become a diversified holding company with Buffett as the main stockholder and Chairman of the Board.  He’s ran that company with a “value…

Trump’s first 100 Days: Any effect on funeral service?

By Funeral Director Daily / May 2, 2025 /

    We’ve just lived through the first 100 days of the 2nd Trump presidency.  On the equity market front there has been a lot of predictions and a lot of ups and downs. . . . However, as far as funeral service or Death Care goes, where are we and what can we expect…

Will Gen Z lead the way back to more traditional funerals?

By Funeral Director Daily / May 1, 2025 /

    I think it is a real longshot and we are a long way from proclaiming that the funeral is back in American culture.  However, a couple of indicators show that Generation Z, those who are in today’s age bracket of between 13 and 28 years of age, may be yearning for a life…