Localnews24 reports that Memphis funeral home R. Bernard Funeral Services is offering drive thru viewings. The family owned funeral firm opened in January and has held four drive-thru viewings. The funeral home also offers live stream viewing so that out of town family members can participate. You can watch the video below https://youtu.be/aM2m2bqLrPQ Funeral Director…
“I think it would be great to eliminate this tax. For people, at the end of life, to have further tax put upon them seems to be too much for people who already spend their whole life being taxed” Funeral Director John Kohl of Parker Kohl funeral home as quoted in Southernminn.com Southernminn.com reports that…
The Dallas Post reports that the Luzerne County has increased the fee for a cremation permit from $35 to $60. The increase will offset a $50,000 proposed budget increase for autopsy expenses relating to drug overdoses. There were 1,872 cremations in 2016 in Luzerne County, up from 1872 cremations in 2015. Funeral Director Daily’s take:…
Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), the largest provider of deathcare products and services in North America, issued fourth quarter 2016 financials. Here are the highlights. Quarterly revenue increased by 5% to $809 due primarily to an increase in cemetery preneed revenue. SCI funeral home revenues were flat. Net income declined by 11% to $66 million…
The US Census surveys the funeral industry every five years. The next census will take place later this year. Here is the data on US revenues and employment in the Cemetary, Crematory and Funeral Home industries for 1997-2012. Funeral Director Daily take: The drop in cemetery and crematory staff of almost 46% in fifteen years…
BUSINESS
Blessed. . . . and Grateful
I love Easter. Even outside of the religious realm I can remember as a child that when mom started decorating the house for Easter — Spring, and nice weather, soon returned to us…
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…
FINANCE
Maybe Death Care stocks are a “Port in the Storm” — DCI upends major indexes for 1st Quarter
I feel a little bit vindicated today. In mid-March I hypothesized that Death Care stocks may be overlooked as a “defensive position” by the market. At that time I researched that thought using only…
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…
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…
