In a press release received the other day, Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in Preneed Death Care funding announced that 2026 marks the 120th year for the company.  The company issued its first policy in February 1906 and, according to the company press release, “has since grown into the most often-use preneed company in America”.

Homesteaders President, CEO, and Board Chair Steve Shaffer made the following prepared comment in the press release, “In a profession built on relationships, trust and service, longevity matters.  For 120 years, Homesteaders has focused on keeping promises – to funeral providers, to our distribution partners and to the policy owners who have always owned our business. The growth we’re seeing today reflects our commitment to the long-term success of the funeral profession while building a company that will be here for the next 100 years.”

Again, according to the press release, “The company issued more policies in 2025 than any year before and paid a record number of claims. Homesteaders ended the year with a 99% customer satisfaction rating and more than $5 billion of in-force policies.”

If you are interested in learning more about Homesteaders Life Company, here is their website.  

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I’ve been a firm believer of advocating for preneed funding of funerals for consumers for over 40 years.  One non-financial feature of doing so helps the consumer put some focus on their eventual death or demise and clearly look at the options available to them which then allows them a say in what they would prefer for their own Death Care services.

That goes along with the obvious financial benefits to the consumer of having a future service paid for in advance so when the time comes there is no stress on the family about those expenses.

For the funeral home the benefits obviously include being paid for the service with little effort and helping cash-flow by receiving a fast receivable.  In addition, funeral homes can build business and market share with an aggressive preneed sales program.

According to one study, 51% of Americans over age 65 have prepaid for their burial expenses.

Another study, in a 2020 survey by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council, which you can access here, of Americans of all ages:

• 89% Feel a discussion about their end-of-life wishes would be meaningful
• 69% Would prefer to pre-arrange their own services
• 17% Have actually made those funeral or burial pre-arrangements

Not everybody agrees with us —  Here is recent news video and print article about a “prepaid” funeral disagreement in Missouri.  My take is that “understanding” of the contract/policy is a key issue between the consumer and the funeral home.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• “All hands on Deck”:  Funeral services continue despite snow and ice.    arlingtoncemetery.mil  Arlington National Cemetery (DC)
• Cemetery says family must remove headstone for brothers after it was ruled inappropriate.  Video news story and print article.  WYMT – TV – Colorado Springs (CO)

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