On February 7, 1964, the British pop rock group the Beatles touched down on the tarmac of John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City and were crowded by thousands of fans. Two days later they were introduced to America with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. A typical fan at that time was…
As we turn the calendar to August it reminds me that last August we had some technical difficulties with Funeral Director Daily that caused major consternation on my part. At the end of the day, with some help of some very good technical people, we were able to put out an improved delivery product, but…
It’s quarterly reporting time in the public business realm and the companies in the death care sector are no different than others with that requirement. Last week we reported Service Corporation International’s (SCI) results and today we bring you highlights of Houston, Texas based operator, Carriage Services. You can access the Carriage Services 2nd Quarter…
Want to deliver the audio at your own funeral with a text written after your death by your pastor or other spokesman? Evidently, voice synthesizing technology can now make that happen. . . . a written text will mimic your own voice, even after death giving you the opportunity to deliver your own funeral sermon.…
Earlier this week the largest funeral home and cemetery operator in North America, Service Corporation International (SCI), revealed their results for the 2nd Quarter of 2021. It was a much anticipated report as it would mark a comparison with the 2nd Quarter of 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic was flourishing and funeral homes and cemeteries…
BUSINESS
Carriage Services expands Revolving Credit Facility
At the end of September public company funeral home and cemetery consolidator and operator Carriage Services made some moves that they hope will enhance their long-term flexibility. In essence, Carriage Services made this…
Christopher Walken stars in the latest “funeral home” inspired film
The movie Back in Black starring Christopher Walken recently celebrated its world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The movie stars Walken as Clyde Mortimer in what some reviews call…
Dignity Plc Funeral Services owner: “The legal services strategy has continued to exceed expectations”
I’ve had a lot of experience during my time as a Board member and Chairman of Senior Living companies extending “service lines” in order to build business. And, I think part of the future…
FINANCE
Carriage Services expands Revolving Credit Facility
At the end of September public company funeral home and cemetery consolidator and operator Carriage Services made some moves that they hope will enhance their long-term flexibility. In essence, Carriage Services made this…
Park Lawn Corp purchases business assets of historic Texas funeral home. . . .Strategy may start a trend of facility closures
This recent article from the Waco (TX) Tribune-Herald will give you full information on the recent purchase of the business assets of the historic Connally-Compton Funeral Home in Waco, Texas, by the Park…
Acquisitions: The price that is paid is all about “The Present Value of Future Cash-Flow”
Acquisitions are big in Death Care. . . .and we are being told that with so many retiring funeral home owners. . . about to become bigger. If that is the case, we will…
REGULATIONS
Not a Good Look: “Dysfunctional Death Care System” becoming an issue in Chicago mayor’s race
In August of this past summer (2026) 56 decomposed bodies were found improperly stored in a funeral home in Chicago. It’s not the first time or the first place something like this has…
Preneed: Your funeral home’s reputation may be tied to your preneed provider
I came across an interesting article the other day that reminded me of the unease that I always had in selecting our funeral home’s preneed insurance partner. My unease had nothing to do…
Will the dispersion of Natural Organic Reduction soil be an issue?
Back in August the Worcester (Maryland) County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) firm Earth Burial’s request to spread NOR soil on a 14-acre property in the county. According to…
CEMETERY
Will the dispersion of Natural Organic Reduction soil be an issue?
Back in August the Worcester (Maryland) County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) firm Earth Burial’s request to spread NOR soil on a 14-acre property in the county. According to…
Recollections of 9/11. . . 25 years later
So today, September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks on America. For those of us who are baby boomers, that day is seared in our memory as are…
Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock visit cemetery movie screening
It’s interesting to me that when I look at the financial results of the public companies in Death Care and also try to understand the continual business potential of Death Care, I seem to…
CREMATION
Not a Good Look: “Dysfunctional Death Care System” becoming an issue in Chicago mayor’s race
In August of this past summer (2026) 56 decomposed bodies were found improperly stored in a funeral home in Chicago. It’s not the first time or the first place something like this has…
Will the dispersion of Natural Organic Reduction soil be an issue?
Back in August the Worcester (Maryland) County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) firm Earth Burial’s request to spread NOR soil on a 14-acre property in the county. According to…
The devastating effects of Direct Cremation on traditional funeral homes
My career in the Death Care business spans from 1980 when I attained my funeral director’s license until today where I keep my eye on what is happening in the business so that I…
PRENEED
Preneed: Your funeral home’s reputation may be tied to your preneed provider
I came across an interesting article the other day that reminded me of the unease that I always had in selecting our funeral home’s preneed insurance partner. My unease had nothing to do…
The shifting preneed trend and the need to make preneed a priority
I recently read a blog post on the Funeral Directors Life (FDL) blog written by Todd Carlson, Executive Vice-President and Chief Sales officer at Funeral Directors Life. The article was titled “Three preneed trends…
Death Literacy: “Concerns over the rapid rise of Direct Cremations”
“Death Literacy” is something you may be hearing more about in the days to come. This article from SABR-A Care Collective mentions that “Raising death literacy aims to equip people with the skills not…
PRODUCTS
Dignity Plc Funeral Services owner: “The legal services strategy has continued to exceed expectations”
I’ve had a lot of experience during my time as a Board member and Chairman of Senior Living companies extending “service lines” in order to build business. And, I think part of the future…
Will the dispersion of Natural Organic Reduction soil be an issue?
Back in August the Worcester (Maryland) County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) firm Earth Burial’s request to spread NOR soil on a 14-acre property in the county. According to…
“Drowning in information, starved for knowledge”
Back in 1982 when John Naisbitt’s bestselling book, Megatrends, was flying off the shelves (it was before Amazon so it wasn’t being ordered by mail) the book commented that Americans were “drowning in information…
