The number of funeral homes in the US in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s was often quoted as 22,000, similar to the number of furniture stores at that time. Today, furniture stores exceed 67,000; in contrast the number of funeral homes has remained nearly the same as in the 1970’s. The demand for…
Last week, as you can read in this article, credit rating company Moody’s downgraded the status of the United States Government debt from Aaa to Aa1 – which is a downgrade of one notch. In making the recent downgrade, the article states: “The US has lost its last perfect credit rating, as influential…
Last week I attended a Blue Ocean Tour seminar planned and produced by Alan Creedy and Danny Jefferson. It was my first time on one of these events and it was an incredible learning experience including tours of Death Care facilities, a National Cemetery, discussons, learning experiences, and simple brainstorming of ideas with a…
Trends, transformations, private equity, and consumer choices — We’ve had it all in the past 30 days
The middle of the month has crept up on us again. . . and in Minnesota we are finally getting around to golf season. On about the 15th of each month Funeral Director Daily highlights our top read articles of the past thirty days and we have some great ones for you. . ..…
If you have not heard about “it” yet, you will soon. The “it” in this instance is the reprise of the President Trump Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The reason that you will hear about it is that without something being done during the Congressional year of 2025 the laws,…
BUSINESS
Daughter completes acquisitions of family’s firms
According to this article from the Delaware County (PA) Daily Times Bridget Monaghan Wibble has completed the purchase of the historical Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home that was owned by her father since…
Is the “Choice” of cremation a mirage that may disappear??
On a rainy Monday Minnesota morning earlier this week I was doing my run indoors on the treadmill while I watched CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” business news broadcast. On that show Softbank CEO…
The NFL “Fan Experience” will soon include cremated remains permanent placement
This recent article from the Jacksonville Daily Record makes note that the new Jacksonville Jaguars’ football stadium that will be the home of that franchise in the National Football League (NFL) has agreed to…
FINANCE
Public Funeral Home/Cemetery company stock prices have dropped. Why?
A friend of mine reached out via text message the other day and asked if I had any idea why the stocks of public company funeral home and cemetery operators Service Corporation International…
Daughter completes acquisitions of family’s firms
According to this article from the Delaware County (PA) Daily Times Bridget Monaghan Wibble has completed the purchase of the historical Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home that was owned by her father since…
Funeral homes in Michigan change hands
“It’s been a good run.” That’s what funeral director John Kaatz said according to this newspaper article announcing the sale of four funeral homes that he was associated with. Kaatz, who succeeded his…
REGULATIONS
The advantages of “Involvement”
About two weeks ago I decided to take in the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association convention. Now, I have not attended that particular convention for 5-7 years and decided to this year only because a…
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…
Memorial Day 2026 — “Freedom isn’t free”
As we stop today to reflect on the memory of not only our military personnel from the Revolutionary War on, we remember that the holiday was officially started to pay respects to those…
CEMETERY
The NFL “Fan Experience” will soon include cremated remains permanent placement
This recent article from the Jacksonville Daily Record makes note that the new Jacksonville Jaguars’ football stadium that will be the home of that franchise in the National Football League (NFL) has agreed to…
Crowne Vault shares initiative creating “a path for permanent placement” of cremated remains
Crowne Vault, the Indiana-based company that is a leading presence in serving the Death Care profession with American-made cremation vaults is supporting a new initiative for the profession that hopes to bring…
Memorial Day 2026 — “Freedom isn’t free”
As we stop today to reflect on the memory of not only our military personnel from the Revolutionary War on, we remember that the holiday was officially started to pay respects to those…
CREMATION
Is the “Choice” of cremation a mirage that may disappear??
On a rainy Monday Minnesota morning earlier this week I was doing my run indoors on the treadmill while I watched CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” business news broadcast. On that show Softbank CEO…
The NFL “Fan Experience” will soon include cremated remains permanent placement
This recent article from the Jacksonville Daily Record makes note that the new Jacksonville Jaguars’ football stadium that will be the home of that franchise in the National Football League (NFL) has agreed to…
Crowne Vault shares initiative creating “a path for permanent placement” of cremated remains
Crowne Vault, the Indiana-based company that is a leading presence in serving the Death Care profession with American-made cremation vaults is supporting a new initiative for the profession that hopes to bring…
PRENEED
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…
Consumer Preneed motivations from Homesteaders survey results
Preneed insurance provider Homesteaders Life Company released their 8th annual Preneed Motivators survey last week. According to this press release from which you can download your own copy of the survey results, “. .…
SCI Earnings Call: CEO Tom Ryan answers on Preneed and Managing
Service Corporation International reported on their 1st Quarter of 2026 about ten days ago and then followed that up with an Earnings Call with stock analysts that follow the company. As usual Funeral Director…
PRODUCTS
Is the “Choice” of cremation a mirage that may disappear??
On a rainy Monday Minnesota morning earlier this week I was doing my run indoors on the treadmill while I watched CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” business news broadcast. On that show Softbank CEO…
The NFL “Fan Experience” will soon include cremated remains permanent placement
This recent article from the Jacksonville Daily Record makes note that the new Jacksonville Jaguars’ football stadium that will be the home of that franchise in the National Football League (NFL) has agreed to…
Crowne Vault shares initiative creating “a path for permanent placement” of cremated remains
Crowne Vault, the Indiana-based company that is a leading presence in serving the Death Care profession with American-made cremation vaults is supporting a new initiative for the profession that hopes to bring…
