Carriage Services Acquires Rich & Thompson Funeral Services in North Carolina

By Dave Westburg November 15, 2016

HOUSTON, Nov. 15, 2016  Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Rich & Thompson Funeral Services in the Strategic Market of Raleigh/Durham/Greensboro in North Carolina.  Dating back to 1913, the Rich & Thompson name has been a prominent name in funeral service in both Burlington, NC and Graham, NC.…

BUSINESS

Future Funeral Directors: Education, License Portability, Hiring Practices all in flux

By Funeral Director Daily | April 10, 2026

I spent six years as a board member of the University of Minnesota, which comprises the 8th largest campus by enrollment in the United States counting over 55,000 students.  During that tenure I spent two…

The continuing growth of Women’s Leadership opportunities in Death Care

By Funeral Director Daily | April 8, 2026

  Back in 1990 or 1991 I was invited to an event hosted by the late Tom Johnson for funeral profession leaders.  With rare exception, I have continued to attend the annual event for the…

Who’s writing the reviews?

By Funeral Director Daily | April 7, 2026

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FINANCE

Bitget on SCI: “. . a focus on compounding value through operational excellence and strategic acquisitions, not rapid volume growth.”

By Funeral Director Daily | April 9, 2026

  Every so often I come across an investment article that not only gives an opinion on a certain company in Death Care but also mentions the Death Care business in general and intimates on…

Maybe Death Care stocks are a “Port in the Storm” — DCI upends major indexes for 1st Quarter

By Funeral Director Daily | April 2, 2026

  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

By Funeral Director Daily | March 31, 2026

  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…

REGULATIONS

Heating homes with cremation emissions: An ethical question?

By Funeral Director Daily | April 13, 2026

    Energy transfer is not a new science.  Yet I was surprised when I read this recent article published in The World – Public Radio that was titled “How cremations are helping to heat…

Future Funeral Directors: Education, License Portability, Hiring Practices all in flux

By Funeral Director Daily | April 10, 2026

I spent six years as a board member of the University of Minnesota, which comprises the 8th largest campus by enrollment in the United States counting over 55,000 students.  During that tenure I spent two…

Who’s writing the reviews?

By Funeral Director Daily | April 7, 2026

  Who’s writing the reviews?  That’s one question that businesses, including funeral homes and cemeteries, don’t want potential consumers asking.  I recently read an article in Funeral Service Times “that indicate(s) 89% of people refer…

CEMETERY

This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”

By Funeral Director Daily | April 1, 2026

  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

By Funeral Director Daily | March 20, 2026

    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

By Funeral Director Daily | March 9, 2026

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CREMATION

Heating homes with cremation emissions: An ethical question?

By Funeral Director Daily | April 13, 2026

    Energy transfer is not a new science.  Yet I was surprised when I read this recent article published in The World – Public Radio that was titled “How cremations are helping to heat…

This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”

By Funeral Director Daily | April 1, 2026

  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”

By Funeral Director Daily | March 30, 2026

  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…

PRENEED

Propel Funeral Partners First-Half FY2026 continues upward trends

By Funeral Director Daily | March 27, 2026

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Funeral planning: There seems to be a gap between “Perception and Action”

By Funeral Director Daily | March 12, 2026

    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

By Funeral Director Daily | February 27, 2026

  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

Heating homes with cremation emissions: An ethical question?

By Funeral Director Daily | April 13, 2026

    Energy transfer is not a new science.  Yet I was surprised when I read this recent article published in The World – Public Radio that was titled “How cremations are helping to heat…

“Perceived Value” is now the strongest driver of Death Care customer satisfaction

By Funeral Director Daily | April 6, 2026

    Last week Johnson Consulting Group (JCG) released their annual “Sales and Customer Service Trends” report for 2026.  The report is compiled by customer surveys that over the past five years and have included…

This might give a new meaning to “Permanent Memorialization”

By Funeral Director Daily | April 1, 2026

  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…