Just the other day an article on SeekingAlpha.com came out reporting on the status of public funeral home consolidator Service Corporation International (SCI). As I’ve said before I’ve always kept up with the public companies in the death care industry because by following them I’ve learned things that have improved my own small business. I…
Chicagoan Michi Kustra had a great career with the global ad agency Leo Burnett in Chicago. She was building a corporate resume by climbing up the ladder working in e-commerce as a senior level marketing and merchandising executive. Clients of hers included Spiegel Catalog, retailer Herman Miller, and high end office furniture company Office Designs.…
The province of New Brunswick in Canada has just approved a new three-year contract with the 64 funeral homes and 500 funeral directors in the province for payment of those people who cannot afford to pay for their own funerals. According to the recent release from cbc.ca most funeral practitioners are not happy. When asked…
I came across a report from KWWL -TV in Iowa the other day that would have really caused problems for me and the families I served if it happened in my area. And, according to Iowa Funeral Director Steven Corson, it is starting to cause problems for him at the the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home. The…
I happened across a post by Alyssa McNab on the Homesteaders Life Company blog the other day that I found very interesting. Ms. McNab had interviewed Dr. Jason Trayer of Mt. Hope Grief Services on the grief process including what he refers to as instrumental and intuitive grief. Dr. Trayer delves a little into the…
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…
