I woke up Tuesday morning and noticed that Stonmor’s stock had plunged almost 11%. In checking it out I noticed that the company issued a statement that they are in technical default on their revolving credit agreement and they mentioned that they may have more adverse events occur in mid-August. The stock was trading at…
I happened to be watching a funeral industry podcast today and this question was asked of the “Expert” , “What value to the sale are pre-arrangement contracts that are not tied to the funeral home, but could be moved?” The expert’s answer was something like this, “Absolutely nothing. They can be moved to a competing…
After forbidding cremation for centuries the Roman Catholic Church accepted the practice in 1963. As the practice got more popular the Vatican decided last fall to issue a proclamation that ashes should be preserved in a church sponsored sacred place and not kept at home or scattered. An article in the Chicago Tribune just last…
The first time I visited Hawaii was in 1988. I’d been working as a funeral director for about eight years at the time and knew that funeral service in Hawaii was a little bit different than in Minnesota simply because of the oriental and polynesian cultural influences on the customs as well as the, at…
I’m using Friday’s column to catch up with some things I’ve seen in the industry concerning acquisitions over the past 2-3 weeks. It’s interesting but not surprising that we continue to see acquisitions in the industry over that time period. In the last three weeks we have seen: Thacker Casket acquire Madison Casket Company. According…
BUSINESS
We’ve truly “Turned the Corner”
There is no doubt that when one thinks of the idea of an embalmer around the time of the Civil War (1860’s in the U.S.) or one known as an “undertaker” in the same…
Man’s Best Friend and their “grief” and “grit”
Today’s edition of Funeral Director Daily will be a little different and I hope you enjoy it. It’s not about the business of Death Care, although, you might find reason to believe that “Therapy…
It’s the political season, watch your messaging
You would have to be living under a rock in the United States if you did not notice the large, and seemingly growing gap, between the political parties at this time. I’m guessing that…
FINANCE
Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematory affiliate with Park Lawn Corporation
In a press release received yesterday, that you can access here, it was announced that Park Lawn Corporation (PLC) has acquired Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematory of Jackson, Tennessee. The acquisition will add one…
Propel Funeral Partners First-Half FY2026 continues upward trends
When you look at the First-Half of the 2026 Fiscal Year for Propel Funeral Partners you will not notice anything “earth shattering”. From my point of view, when that is the case with an…
Security National Financial Corp Year-End 2025: “Our best year ever”
Security National Financial Corporation (SNFC), the parent company of Security National Life, which includes end-of-life preneed insurance, a funeral home and cemetery division known as Memorial Mortuary and Cemeteries, and Death Care insurance assignment…
REGULATIONS
We’ve truly “Turned the Corner”
There is no doubt that when one thinks of the idea of an embalmer around the time of the Civil War (1860’s in the U.S.) or one known as an “undertaker” in the same…
Man’s Best Friend and their “grief” and “grit”
Today’s edition of Funeral Director Daily will be a little different and I hope you enjoy it. It’s not about the business of Death Care, although, you might find reason to believe that “Therapy…
University set to re-open anatomy labs after being closed for formaldehyde exposure levels
I was aware as you can read here, that in 2025 the United States Environmental Association (EPA) published the findings of their Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde. After years of evaluation and input the EPA…
CEMETERY
This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”
I’m a big fan of “permanent memorialization” for the simple fact that that memorialization of that type continues to give creedence to a “life that was lived”. I’ve seen the graves and permanent memorialization…
SCI: Strategy changed in early 2000’s to target 8-12% Earnings Growth
Service Corporation International (SCI) recently participated at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference and were represened there by Senior Vice-President and Treasurer Aaron Foley. Seeking Alpha provided a transcript of Foley’s comments and answers…
There has to be another side to this story
Late last week Fox 6 TV of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, broke a story pertaining to Death Care that I found to be incredulous. Here’s the headline, “Milwaukee County funeral home debt; officials move to collect…
CREMATION
This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”
I’m a big fan of “permanent memorialization” for the simple fact that that memorialization of that type continues to give creedence to a “life that was lived”. I’ve seen the graves and permanent memorialization…
We’ve truly “Turned the Corner”
There is no doubt that when one thinks of the idea of an embalmer around the time of the Civil War (1860’s in the U.S.) or one known as an “undertaker” in the same…
Private Equity company Epiris to sell a “Structured Minority interest” in Pure Cremation
I’ve watched the growth of direct cremation provider and preneed cremation business Pure Cremation from a start-up to, in my opinion, the most profitable investment in Death Care over the past decade. According to…
PRENEED
Propel Funeral Partners First-Half FY2026 continues upward trends
When you look at the First-Half of the 2026 Fiscal Year for Propel Funeral Partners you will not notice anything “earth shattering”. From my point of view, when that is the case with an…
Funeral planning: There seems to be a gap between “Perception and Action”
Funeral planning is an interesting topic on an individual basis. In my opinion, regardless of your age, self-mortality is a thought all human beings have at more than one point in their lives. …
Homesteaders celebrates 120 years, $5 Billion in force
In a press release received the other day, Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in Preneed Death Care funding announced that 2026 marks the 120th year for the company. The company issued its first…
PRODUCTS
This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”
I’m a big fan of “permanent memorialization” for the simple fact that that memorialization of that type continues to give creedence to a “life that was lived”. I’ve seen the graves and permanent memorialization…
We’ve truly “Turned the Corner”
There is no doubt that when one thinks of the idea of an embalmer around the time of the Civil War (1860’s in the U.S.) or one known as an “undertaker” in the same…
University set to re-open anatomy labs after being closed for formaldehyde exposure levels
I was aware as you can read here, that in 2025 the United States Environmental Association (EPA) published the findings of their Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde. After years of evaluation and input the EPA…
