It’s a proven point that if you want to build a successful business and follow the American dream of making a lot of money, you need to deliver on and provide, at the right price, what the consumer public wants. I was fortunate enough about six years ago to listen to a friend of mine…
So, as Monday afternoon churned into our New Year’s Eve revelry we did get to see the equity markets take a final upturn, but for the year we saw the Dow Jones average lose 5.6%, the Nasdaq lose 3.9%, and the S & P 500 lose 6.2% of its value. All in all, the major…
One of the things that I find interesting about the death care industry is the continuing consolidation and spin-offs that seem to always occur. Get a few funeral directors together and they are always talking about who is acquiring who. I’ve been around long enough to see upstart Prime Succession grow fast and then be…
It was back in April 1977 that I remember losing my father to a sudden heart attack while he was serving at a funeral. As a teenager you remember where you were when you were first told and then the rest of the visitation, funeral, and following time is somewhat forgot except for a few…
In a press release that you can read here it was announced that Service Corporation International will, for the 11th consecutive year, be a major sponsor of the “Donate Life” float at the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2019, in Pasadena, California. SCI and its brand, Dignity Memorial, will be the sponsor…
BUSINESS
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…
Endswell expanding into another community and location
Endswell, the 2022 Death Care start-up that brands itself as “A modern funeral home, is expanding their services to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And, it won’t be your mom and dad’s funeral home. According…
“It’s good enough” — That’s an attitude bound to bring disaster to your business
Last Saturday morning my wife, Angie, and I were having our morning coffee and she was paging through the local newspaper. She made the comment that our recent county fair had a record attendance…
FINANCE
Death Care Index (DCI) once again trails major indexes
Over the years I’ve seen many family funeral homes explode in value as they built more market share, acquired more facilities, and simply built a culture of enhancing revenues while at the same…
Matthews International names new President/CEO
It didn’t take long for Death Care conglomerate Matthews International to name a new President and CEO following this August 4, 2026, press release indicating that current President/CEO Josepah Bartolacci would be retiring after more…
A.S. Turner & Sons has a busy summer — adds a funeral home and terramation service line
A.S. Turner & Sons has served the population of Decatur, Georgia, and the greater Atlanta area for more than 120 years. Funeral Director Daily recently mentioned the firm in this article about The Natural…
REGULATIONS
Groundbreaking research from Parting Stone may help you get cremated remains permanently placed
Recently I received a press release from Parting Stone, the solidified remains company, that enlightened me as to some of the reasons so many survivors continue to hold on to cremated remains in…
Oklahoma family business gets initial court win to move forward in casket sales case
According to this recent article from the Institute for Justice the District Court of Oklahoma County has ruled that Casket of Honors owners Candice Mentink and Todd Collard may proceed with their case against…
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…
CEMETERY
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…
Everstory Partners aims for more of the “Upper K”
Not every consumer is looking for the $999 direct cremation service. And, the good operators in the Death Care space know that. There are plenty of ways to buy a burger in many different…
CREMATION
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…
Endswell expanding into another community and location
Endswell, the 2022 Death Care start-up that brands itself as “A modern funeral home, is expanding their services to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And, it won’t be your mom and dad’s funeral home. According…
Groundbreaking research from Parting Stone may help you get cremated remains permanently placed
Recently I received a press release from Parting Stone, the solidified remains company, that enlightened me as to some of the reasons so many survivors continue to hold on to cremated remains in…
PRENEED
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…
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…
PRODUCTS
Endswell expanding into another community and location
Endswell, the 2022 Death Care start-up that brands itself as “A modern funeral home, is expanding their services to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And, it won’t be your mom and dad’s funeral home. According…
Groundbreaking research from Parting Stone may help you get cremated remains permanently placed
Recently I received a press release from Parting Stone, the solidified remains company, that enlightened me as to some of the reasons so many survivors continue to hold on to cremated remains in…
Oklahoma family business gets initial court win to move forward in casket sales case
According to this recent article from the Institute for Justice the District Court of Oklahoma County has ruled that Casket of Honors owners Candice Mentink and Todd Collard may proceed with their case against…
