We last visited the Death Care Index (DCI) following the March 3, 2017 market close. At that time the value of one share of each of the six death care industry stocks that make up the index totaled together would have equaled $269.84 with an annual dividend of $5.66 for a 2.06% yield. As of…
I ran across an interesting article in the Cornell Daily Sun the other day which led me to ponder several questions about the long term maintenance of vaults, columbariums, and mausoleums in cemeteries. The article is very interesting and, quite frankly, tells of the city of Ithaca’s quest to understand what must be done to…
On Wednesday, May 17, StoneMor Partners took some steps to reverse the fortunes of their company when they named a new CEO and a new CFO to replace departed CFO Sean McGrath and CEO Lawrence Miller. StoneMor has been plagued for over the last year with quarterly losses, decreased cash flows, and a cut of…
I just read an article on something you don’t see very often in the funeral industry. An article that was posted in the Times Herald Recordonline from Orange County, New York, pertained to the bankruptcy case, and hopeful solution to it, of a funeral business from that area. The article is about Mr. Anthony Ingrassia…
A recent decision by the City of Beloit, Wisconsin, to offer more cremation options at city cemeteries is causing angst among some Beloit area businesses according to the Beloit Daily News. In essence the city is allowing their owned and operated cemeteries to offer a pricing structure that will allow for consumers to have an…
BUSINESS
Employees may need their Employer or Manager to be more than a Death Care mentor
I feel very fortunate that I grew up in a household that valued knowing what was going on in the world around us. We always were encouraged to watch the national evening news to…
It’s not all about your “Platform”. . . Be a “Pillar” for long-term success
I attended church on Sunday and heard a sermon that I thought worthy of sharing with my funeral home colleagues. The sermon ended up being about the difference between “building a Platform” and “becoming…
Funeral homes can add service lines to increase revenue streams
Funeral homes and cremation providers have seen the revenue numbers that they bring in flatten as more consumers have continued to prefer less expensive services, such as cremation, over traditional burials for the…
FINANCE
Security National Financial 2Q Results: Cemetery carries the Cemetery/Mortuary segment
Overall, Security National Financial Corporation (SNFC), the Utah-based company with its base in the Death Care industry, had a positive 2nd Quarter of 2026 with Earnings before Taxes increasing 8.6% (7.3% After Taxes)…
Matthews International Earnings Call: “Challenges, Challenges”
On August 7, Matthews International, a leader in the Death Care supply and equipment business, held their quarterly earnings call to give their opinion of the company’s Fiscal 3rd Quarter 2026 results and answer…
Carriage Services 2nd Quarter Earnings Call: Dealing with lower volumes
On August 6, Carriage Services held their quarterly earnings call to give their opinion of the company’s 2nd Quarter 2026 results and answer questions from analysts who cover the company. We’re ten days removed…
REGULATIONS
Empty grave case still perplexing, legal issues pending
Back in December 2025, Funeral Director Daily, in this article, informed you of the case of the empty grave of CBC Canada Royal Glider Pilot Gordon Patrick. If you read the article you…
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…
CEMETERY
Everstory Partners aims for more of the “Upper K”
Not every consumer is looking for the $999 direct cremation service. And, the good operators in the Death Care space know that. There are plenty of ways to buy a burger in many different…
Empty grave case still perplexing, legal issues pending
Back in December 2025, Funeral Director Daily, in this article, informed you of the case of the empty grave of CBC Canada Royal Glider Pilot Gordon Patrick. If you read the article you…
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…
CREMATION
Everstory Partners aims for more of the “Upper K”
Not every consumer is looking for the $999 direct cremation service. And, the good operators in the Death Care space know that. There are plenty of ways to buy a burger in many different…
The New Math
As you read this today I will soon or already have given a presentation at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) International Convention. I was asked to speak on the Fads, Trends,…
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…
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
Funeral homes can add service lines to increase revenue streams
Funeral homes and cremation providers have seen the revenue numbers that they bring in flatten as more consumers have continued to prefer less expensive services, such as cremation, over traditional burials for the…
Everstory Partners aims for more of the “Upper K”
Not every consumer is looking for the $999 direct cremation service. And, the good operators in the Death Care space know that. There are plenty of ways to buy a burger in many different…
Chptr, iHeart Media, Tribute Technology work to get more media exposure for funeral homes
In a press release from Chptr, that you can access here, and also in a press release from Tribute Technology, that you can access here, we learned that Chptr partnered with iHeart Media to…
