A few months ago and already into the travel related issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) was one of the first, if not the first, trade organization to announce that they would be foregoing their traditional convention and replacing that convention with something touted as a “Virtual Convention”. In…
In today’s afternoon edition of Funeral Director Daily we have a couple of national firms in the news for differing reasons. First of all, we will tell you of Funeral Directors Life (FDLIC) and their investment in saving some of the world’s energy. They recently added a parking lot that will be covered by about…
Funeral Director Daily received word last week that Foundation Partners Group, the Orlando based operator of funeral homes, cremation centers, and cemeteries, has acquired the Bermudez Family Cremations and Funerals operation in Monterey, California. That acquisition expands the Foundation partners network in California to eight locations. Here’s what Foundation Partners Group CEO Bob Bukala had…
I read an article from what appears to be a well educated writer/consumer entitled “A Parting Gift: Navigating the difficult world of funeral costs” the other day. It concerned the death of a 31-year old and the young adults who had to make the death care decisions that were quickly thrust upon them. You can…
Hillenbrand Industries, a global diversified industrial company and parent of death care company, Batesville, reported their 3rd Quarter 2020 last week. The company, which operates with an October 1 fiscal year date announced that revenues for the entire company increased 36% to $608 million for the quarter, but Net Income of $24 million was about…
BUSINESS
No end in sight
I talk to a lot of funeral directors. Most understand the ramifications of raising their prices. However, sometimes it just needs to be done to stay profitable. . . . but in an inelastic…
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…
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
The Start of Something Good
I learned of the advent of the upcoming first annual National Cremation Remembrance (or Placement) Day earlier this year from my friends at Crowne Vault. The company was one of the first to…
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…
CREMATION
The Start of Something Good
I learned of the advent of the upcoming first annual National Cremation Remembrance (or Placement) Day earlier this year from my friends at Crowne Vault. The company was one of the first to…
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…
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…
