Service Corporation International (SCI) reported their 2nd Quarter of 2026 on July 29 — which happened to be a bad day on Wall Street. On that day the Dow Jones Index dropped 2.19%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.52%, and the NASDAQ dropped 1.74%. It was a day where the Federal Reserve held tight…
Yesterday we received this press release from the National Funeral Directors Association that stated a Letter of Intent was signed between the Boards of Directors of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected Independent Funeral Homes to pursue a merger to unite the two organizations. The press release also made this comment:…
Maybe it is just because I want to put that time period out of my mind but I don’t think of the global pandemic of 2020-2021 very often anymore. It was a time period that I was pretty much home-bound and cautionary. And, I remember it as a time of great uncertainty for many…
Today’s funeral homes and funeral suppliers understand the importance of marketing. Whether they have a dedicated marketing department or rely on an outside resource, most companies invest considerable time and resources in websites, social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), digital advertising, and online reputation management. These tools are essential, and today’s…
If you are in the Death Care business you know that the number of cremated remains that reside in peoples’ homes is a large, and more than likey, growing number. Some estimate that 60-80% of those people who are cremated have their cremated remains brought to a private home initially. Others estimate…
BUSINESS
The New Math
As you read this today I will soon or already have given a presentation at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) International Convention. I was asked to speak on the Fads, Trends,…
Empty grave case still perplexing, legal issues pending
Back in December 2025, Funeral Director Daily, in this article, informed you of the case of the empty grave of CBC Canada Royal Glider Pilot Gordon Patrick. If you read the article you…
Texas funeral director becomes funeral home owner
It’s a tried and true solution for funeral home business succession but in this day and age you just don’t seem to see it as often as you used to. That business plan…
FINANCE
Matthews International Fiscal 3Q report: Challenges seem to be everywhere
You don’t have to rely on my perception to come to the conclusion about the headline for this article. . . . Here are the prepared remarks from Matthews International’s CEO Joseph Bartolacci as…
Carriage Services 2nd Quarter 2026 Report: Flat Operations
When I first looked at the 2nd Quarter Financial Report of funeral home and cemetery operator Carriage Services one word came to mind. “Flat”. Look at some of the 2Q2026 numbers when compared…
SCI Earnings Call: SCI Execs comment, Artificial Intelligence tries to pull it together
On Thursday, July 30, Service Corporation International (SCI) held their quarterly earnings call to give their opinion of the company’s 2nd Quarter 2026 results and answer questions from analysts who cover the company.…
REGULATIONS
Empty grave case still perplexing, legal issues pending
Back in December 2025, Funeral Director Daily, in this article, informed you of the case of the empty grave of CBC Canada Royal Glider Pilot Gordon Patrick. If you read the article you…
Colorado city tackles cemetery issue
The Lafayette (Colorado) City Council reached an agreement on what action to take to help those who have purchased lots in the Lafayette Cemetery and may not be able to use them due to…
NFDA, Selected Independent Funeral Homes to pursue merger
Yesterday we received this press release from the National Funeral Directors Association that stated a Letter of Intent was signed between the Boards of Directors of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected…
CEMETERY
Empty grave case still perplexing, legal issues pending
Back in December 2025, Funeral Director Daily, in this article, informed you of the case of the empty grave of CBC Canada Royal Glider Pilot Gordon Patrick. If you read the article you…
Colorado city tackles cemetery issue
The Lafayette (Colorado) City Council reached an agreement on what action to take to help those who have purchased lots in the Lafayette Cemetery and may not be able to use them due to…
National “Cremation Placement Day” coming on October 17
If you are in the Death Care business you know that the number of cremated remains that reside in peoples’ homes is a large, and more than likey, growing number. Some estimate that…
CREMATION
The New Math
As you read this today I will soon or already have given a presentation at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) International Convention. I was asked to speak on the Fads, Trends,…
National “Cremation Placement Day” coming on October 17
If you are in the Death Care business you know that the number of cremated remains that reside in peoples’ homes is a large, and more than likey, growing number. Some estimate that…
Can “Roll-ups” work in a “Price-Sensitive” environment
Earlier his week I heard from a couple of people who notified me that Foundation Partners Group (FPG) apparently had a recent round of employee layoffs. That seems to be confirmed by employee and…
PRENEED
Pure Cremation exec: Is the “At-Need choice” death market contracting?
The number of deaths in the United States is expected to grow 26.3% from 2019 (the last year prior to the pandemic) until 2040 by certain estimates. Estimates for the number of deaths in…
Anthem Partners announces strategic partnership with Family Shield Credit
In a press release from earlier this week funeral home operator Anthem Partners announced that they have formed a partnership with Family Shield Credit in order to provide families with “flexible, budget-friendly payment options while…
Connecticut budget includes money for victims of allegedly stolen pre-arrangements
Earlier this month, as you can read in this article from NBC Connecticut, the legislature of Connecticut passed their state budget which included the “Act Concerning Unlawful Funeral Service Practices”. The state appropriated…
PRODUCTS
Chptr, iHeart Media, Tribute Technology work to get more media exposure for funeral homes
In a press release from Chptr, that you can access here, and also in a press release from Tribute Technology, that you can access here, we learned that Chptr partnered with iHeart Media to…
“Complimentary Disposition”. . . Another uphill climb for the traditional operator?
Recently, to prepare for a presentation at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) annual convention I’ve been looking into the future to try and see where Death Care is going. And, I’ve been…
OneRoom’s “Stories” feature is proving successful
There seems to be an amazing number of technological advances coming into Death Care that can help funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries enhance the services that they provide. Many of these breakthroughs can…
