Business

San Antonio College opens “working mortuary” on campus

By Funeral Director Daily / February 27, 2024 /

    It’s obvious that today is becoming “College Day” at Funeral Director Daily.  Our first story was about the University of Minnesota and their progressive realistic mortuary education and this story is about San Antonio College (TX) and the mortuary program there opening what is believed to be the nation’s first college-based “Consumer-facing funeral…

Mortuary Education: It’s our future and needs to be relevant

By Funeral Director Daily / February 27, 2024 /

    In this recent article from the student operated  Minnesota Daily (University of Minnesota) the Director of the Mortuary Science program Michael LuBrant says this, “Really, it’s a form of health care. It’s serving families, deceased individuals and people at the end of the life cycle. . . . “   LuBrant explains that…

The dilemma facing rural funeral homes

By Funeral Director Daily / February 26, 2024 /

      The University of Michigan, and their Center for Sustainable Systems Fact Sheet states, “It is estimated that 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950. By 2050, 89% of the U.S. population and 68% of the world population is projected to live in urban areas.”  …

Trends and Value: What do they say for our future?

By Funeral Director Daily / February 15, 2024 /

    Looking forward at different potential scenarios is never easy to do.  A lot of what we think about the future doesn’t come to pass.  But if you fail to look forward and look at potential happenings it is certain that you will never be a leader. . . you will always be a…

Here’s another issue that’s bound to grow over time

By Funeral Director Daily / February 14, 2024 /

    American’s attend church less and join churches less than in the past.  Some people believe that is one of many reasons that there seems to be less tradition with funeral services.   Now, according to the website helloprenup.com, among Americans, cohabitating is more common than marriage.  That website states, “According to a Pew…

CX: “Customer Experience” — How good is yours?

By Funeral Director Daily / February 13, 2024 /

    “Customer Experience”, or “CX” for short.  It’s an extremely important part of your business operation —  whether you know it or not.   Customer Experience is a subjective thought process of how your clients and others — such as shoppers and people who may simply look to your website for obituaries or to…

The Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, and funeral home “Influencers”

By Funeral Director Daily / February 9, 2024 /

  It’s Super Bowl Weekend and you are probably going to hear a lot about what is happening in Las Vegas over the course of the next 72 hours.  And, you would have had to be hiding under a rock to not know that superstar entertainer Taylor Swift is bringing her “influence” to the big…

The practice of “Experimental Decedent Model” donations is increasing

By Funeral Director Daily / February 8, 2024 /

    Every funeral director has had that call from a non-profit life donation organization that the recently deceased Mr. Doe will be unable for removal for 24 hours or so while his organs are harvested.  Funeral directors are also keenly aware of of those families or individuals who have been in to the funeral…

My Prediction: Get ready to add mandatory online pricing

By Funeral Director Daily / February 7, 2024 /

    When the New York Times starts writing articles that include thoughts on the Federal Trade Commission’s “Funeral Rule” I think it is time to say that the issue has caught some attention.   My wife and I spend the months of January, February, and March in a rented condo in South Florida and…

Lower wage increases coming? . . .Is that good news for employers?

By Funeral Director Daily / February 6, 2024 /

    There’s no doubt that for the last 3-4 years most of the news coming on the business front has resulted in employers raising wages and benefits to their employees even while other aspects of the business were not necessarily positive.  For instance, inflation at higher than anticipated rates has caused most employers to…