According to this recent article authored by Alex Chan of the Harvard Business School and Kurt Sweat of The School of Public Health at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center “In the U.S., every 90 minutes a patient awaiting an organ transplant dies, while over 100,000 patients continue costly treatments such as dialysis,…
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 homes in Denmark“. One of my first thoughts is always about entrepreneurship and the idea that funeral homes with…
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 of those years as Chair of the Finance Committee and two years as Chair of the Mission Committee which deals…
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 what companies have to do to be profitable. I find those articles are important to read so that one can…
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 past 35 years and much of what I was able to learn about the greater Death Care world came from…
BUSINESS
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…
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…
FINANCE
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…
Everstory Partners recognized as a “Great Place to Work” — Again!
StoneMor Partners left the world of public companies and was taken private by Axar Capital Management in November 2022. At the time StoneMor was arguably, by revenue, the second largest company in Death Care. …
Security National Financial Corporation 1Q 2026 Memorial Group: The Good and the “Not so Good”
Security National Financial Corporation (SNFC), the Utah-based company that serves the Death Care profession through their funeral homes, preneed insurance, and other financial tools issued their 1st Quarter 2026 financial report last week. …
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…
