Worldwide conglomerate Matthews International posted expected in-line earnings of $1.05/share as compared to $0.97/share for the same quarter a year ago. Quarterly revenues were $389.6 million as compared to $382.1 million last year and quarterly profits were $29.5 million as compared to $23.9 million. You can see their Press Release here. Management reflected that higher…
It’s always interesting to look at the earnings reports of the Death Care industry’s public companies and try to not only glean how those companies are doing, but, what does this mean for my independent funeral home. I think, as I’ve read the reports Wednesday night and into Thursday, this quarter is no exception in…
On Thursday, July 26, funeral home consolidators Carriage Services and Service Corporation International both reported 2nd Quarter earnings. Carriage Services came in at a diluted per share income of $0.30 when they had estimated an income of $0.40 per share. Their stock lost 1.16% to close at $26.49 for the day on the news. You…
I had never heard of Philadelphia funeral director Patricia Quinn until this morning. However, in my morning search for articles that would be of interest to subscribers of Funeral Director Daily I came across People Magazines People.com story on her. It turns out that Ms. Quinn is a Philadelphia area based funeral director who back…
Global pre-need provider, Assurant, traded at a yearly high yesterday of $106 per share. You can read about it here. Today also tips off earnings week releases of most companies in the Death Care Index (DCI). Carriage Services and SCI will report after market close today followed by Matthews International tomorrow. Assurant and Hillenbrand Industries…
BUSINESS
Getting your message heard in the “Information Age”
I received a broadcasted mass e-mail last Thursday inviting me to tune into the newest podcast for our profession. This one was titled “The Graveyard Shift” and was promoted by Passare. It is…
It’s like receiving that transfer case a day late. . . .
When I served my community as a funeral director I had a couple of expressions that I absolutely lived by: “Underpromise and overdeliver” “Have a low ego and high output” I…
Location, economics of clientele can lead to cemetery success/failure
A couple of recent articles that I read give an indication of how the financial success of cemeteries can vary based on location and/or the clientele that may be using the cemetery. …
FINANCE
Milestone Funeral Partners hires M&A expert
I like to stay in the know about all of the National and Regional funeral home and cemetery acquisition and operating companies. Sometimes though I’m surprised by the growth of these companies over time if…
New Advisory Group formed at Foundation Partners
New Foundation Partners Group CEO John Smith didn’t waste any time in forming a group of former owners to learn more about the Death Care business. Smith, with lots of management experience but…
Carriage Services Earnings Call: Lots of cliches come to mind
I recently read the Carriage Services Earnings Call transcript from last week which pertained to the company’s 4th Quarter of 2024 as well as their financial year end for 2024. It’s interesting that as…
REGULATIONS
Will DOGE eventually affect your revenue?
It probably does not matter which side of the political spectrum that you straddle in anticipating that what is happening with the new Department of Government Efficienty (DOGE) will change some things as…
Funeral homes receive rare “Letters of Assurance” from public authorities
Every day I search out articles about Death Care services to provide me with information on topics of interest in our profession/industry. One of the things that has been extremely disappointing to this…
County sets inspections to make sure cemetery monuments are safe
If you have been a funeral director for any length of time you have found yourself in a cemetery on a beautiful summer day when after the formal committal service the family remains…
CEMETERY
Location, economics of clientele can lead to cemetery success/failure
A couple of recent articles that I read give an indication of how the financial success of cemeteries can vary based on location and/or the clientele that may be using the cemetery. …
County sets inspections to make sure cemetery monuments are safe
If you have been a funeral director for any length of time you have found yourself in a cemetery on a beautiful summer day when after the formal committal service the family remains…
Should Disney be in the “Memorialization” business?
Over the last couple of decades there arises every once in a while the idea that the Walt Disney Company should get into some of the businesses that funeral home operators and cemetery…
CREMATION
Location, economics of clientele can lead to cemetery success/failure
A couple of recent articles that I read give an indication of how the financial success of cemeteries can vary based on location and/or the clientele that may be using the cemetery. …
Should Disney be in the “Memorialization” business?
Over the last couple of decades there arises every once in a while the idea that the Walt Disney Company should get into some of the businesses that funeral home operators and cemetery…
North Carolina floods, Florida hurricanes, and L.A. wildfires: The tragedy of losing “kept at home” cremated remains
If you have read Funeral Director Daily for any length of time you will know that I am an advocate of “Permanent Memorialization” of loved ones. My reason for that belief is pretty…
PRENEED
Authorities “claw back” about 10% of defunct preneed losses
Funeral Director Daily recently learned that holders of pre-need funeral plans from Safe Hands Plans, Ltd. will initially receive about 10% of their investment back as authorities have “clawed back” funds from resources…
Does “Loneliness” affect funeral services, revenue?
Prior to Christmas this past month I listened to my pastor preach on “Loneliness”, and loneliness specifically as it relates to the Holiday Season. You see, she pointed out, that while many of us…
Funeral Directors Life adds 48th state of operation
Earlier this week we learned that Funeral Directors Life (FDL), based in Abilene, Texas, was approved to sell preneed insurance in the state of Virginia. As you can read from this press release,…
PRODUCTS
Getting your message heard in the “Information Age”
I received a broadcasted mass e-mail last Thursday inviting me to tune into the newest podcast for our profession. This one was titled “The Graveyard Shift” and was promoted by Passare. It is…
The “Loop Living Cocoon” finds partners, acceptance
New products come to market all the time. The issues for companies with new products include how to make potential consumers aware of them and how to distribute the product to those consumers. …
Batesville wins patent infringement case
Earlier this week Funeral Director Daily learned from this press release from Batesville that “the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana awarded summary judgment in favor of Batesville Casket Company,…
