I’ve written before in this medium that a big-part of my business strategy philosophy North Star came from reading the book “Megatrends” by John Naisbitt in 1982. Naisbitt’s best-seller predicted 10 trends that would change behavior, including consumer behavior, over the next generation. From reading that book, I realized that if you want to…
As you are well aware of two large-scale earthquakes occured in Venezuela last week. As I write this article on Saturday morning June 27, the official death toll in the country is listed at 920 but there are tens of thousands reported missing. Some sources estimate that the death toll could reach over 50,000…
I noticed this article in Yahoo Finance this week proclaiming that “Your 401(k) match may not be as generous as it once was“. Here’s what peaked my interest as I read this article, “Employers are acutely aware of the value of helping employees save for retirement, but their recent actions are at odds…
Propel Funeral Partners recently announced that they had acquired three funeral businesses that operate out of four separate properties and do an approximate combined 700 services annually. The company announced that the aggregate revenue of the businesses is US$ 2.8 million and the total “earn out” price paid will be US$ 6.37 million. …
We learned last week from this article in the Peterborough (Ontario) Examiner that the Hendren Funeral Homes have sold their three funeral homes to Opus Tribute Group. According to the article, “Opus Tribute Group is a community governed, not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for more than 175 years starting out as Little…
BUSINESS
Colorado city tackles cemetery issue
The Lafayette (Colorado) City Council reached an agreement on what action to take to help those who have purchased lots in the Lafayette Cemetery and may not be able to use them due to…
NFDA, Selected Independent Funeral Homes to pursue merger
Yesterday we received this press release from the National Funeral Directors Association that stated a Letter of Intent was signed between the Boards of Directors of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected…
The U.S. still has Covid-19 deaths
Maybe it is just because I want to put that time period out of my mind but I don’t think of the global pandemic of 2020-2021 very often anymore. It was a time period…
FINANCE
SCI 2Q 2026 Report: I see higher revenues, but funeral margins, gross profits challenged
Service Corporation International (SCI) reported their 2nd Quarter of 2026 on July 29 — which happened to be a bad day on Wall Street. On that day the Dow Jones Index dropped 2.19%,…
Can “Roll-ups” work in a “Price-Sensitive” environment
Earlier his week I heard from a couple of people who notified me that Foundation Partners Group (FPG) apparently had a recent round of employee layoffs. That seems to be confirmed by employee and…
Somebody finally said it, “Industry revenue for Death Care is estimated to drop”
Over the years that I owned and operated a funeral home I saw an increasing cremation percentage almost every year. And, like most funeral homes, my charges for traditional burial were more than my…
REGULATIONS
Colorado city tackles cemetery issue
The Lafayette (Colorado) City Council reached an agreement on what action to take to help those who have purchased lots in the Lafayette Cemetery and may not be able to use them due to…
NFDA, Selected Independent Funeral Homes to pursue merger
Yesterday we received this press release from the National Funeral Directors Association that stated a Letter of Intent was signed between the Boards of Directors of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected…
The U.S. still has Covid-19 deaths
Maybe it is just because I want to put that time period out of my mind but I don’t think of the global pandemic of 2020-2021 very often anymore. It was a time period…
CEMETERY
Colorado city tackles cemetery issue
The Lafayette (Colorado) City Council reached an agreement on what action to take to help those who have purchased lots in the Lafayette Cemetery and may not be able to use them due to…
National “Cremation Placement Day” coming on October 17
If you are in the Death Care business you know that the number of cremated remains that reside in peoples’ homes is a large, and more than likey, growing number. Some estimate that…
Everstory Partners adds New Jersey cemetery to its group
Everstory Partners the cemetery heavy company that operates more than 460 cemeteries, funeral homes, and crematories in the United States and Puerto Rico announced last week that they had acquired the Franklin Memorial…
CREMATION
National “Cremation Placement Day” coming on October 17
If you are in the Death Care business you know that the number of cremated remains that reside in peoples’ homes is a large, and more than likey, growing number. Some estimate that…
Can “Roll-ups” work in a “Price-Sensitive” environment
Earlier his week I heard from a couple of people who notified me that Foundation Partners Group (FPG) apparently had a recent round of employee layoffs. That seems to be confirmed by employee and…
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…
PRENEED
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…
Connecticut budget includes money for victims of allegedly stolen pre-arrangements
Earlier this month, as you can read in this article from NBC Connecticut, the legislature of Connecticut passed their state budget which included the “Act Concerning Unlawful Funeral Service Practices”. The state appropriated…
PRODUCTS
“Complimentary Disposition”. . . Another uphill climb for the traditional operator?
Recently, to prepare for a presentation at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) annual convention I’ve been looking into the future to try and see where Death Care is going. And, I’ve been…
OneRoom’s “Stories” feature is proving successful
There seems to be an amazing number of technological advances coming into Death Care that can help funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries enhance the services that they provide. Many of these breakthroughs can…
The Natural Funeral brings Natural Organic Reduction to the local level
In a press release we received last week we learned that The Natural Funeral, Inc. of Colorado is bringing their Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) program to the Northeast and Southeast parts of the United…
