In their morning edition Connecting Directors reported receiving a confirmation from Park Lawn Corporation that confirmed not only CEO Jennifer Hay and COO Mat Forastiere are leaving the company but that Jay Dodds would also be leaving.  According to Connecting Directors, here is the statement from Park Lawn Corporation:

“Park Lawn Corporation can confirm the company made leadership changes to support its next phase of growth. Jennifer Hay, Mat Forastiere and Jay Dodds have departed Park Lawn Corporation.

Markus Sturm has been promoted from CFO to President. His leadership, alongside the active engagement of the Board, led by Board Chair Steve Shaffer, will help ensure continuity of care. The leadership team and Board bring extensive operational expertise to execute on the company’s vision and shared commitment to employees, clients, and partners.

With nearly 300 locations across Canada and the U.S., Park Lawn remains strong and committed to supporting families during the most important and difficult moments of their lives.”

This information comes from the Connecting Directors release.  As of publishing time this morning, Funeral Director Daily has yet to receive a press release from Park Lawn Corporation or see any semblance of the Connecting Director announcements on the Park Lawn Corporation website.

Funeral Director Daily is not a “Breaking News” reporting company.  Historically, we have built our brand as the #1 Business News source in the Death Care profession by offering viewpoints and analysis of company news, products, new services, and other items of interest to Death Care professionals.

We have deviated somewhat from that stance with this news because Park Lawn Corporation is a large leader in Death Care services across the United States and Canada and individual and family-owned operations have an oversized interest in how these types of firms operate.  The operations and cultures of these large companies probably give an over-sized perception of Death Care to consumers at large which makes all Death Care providers, including small and family-owned operations, somewhat susceptible to public opinions from their decisions.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  When it comes to family-owned operations looking for a succession plan with regional or national operators it is my opinion that the highest price is not always the first thought of the selling owner(s).  I believe that the continuity of how the going-forward business will operate in the community is of utmost importance to most funeral home and cemetery sellers.

I’m also of the belief that the regional and national consolidators of funeral homes and cemeteries need both the finance people and the Death Care industry relationship people to make their businesses become a succession choice for potential acquisition targets.  It’s my belief that Jay Dodds was that person at Park Lawn Corporation and at the Signature Group, and Carriage Services before his employment at Park Lawn Corporation.  He presently served as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer and before that had served as Park Lawn Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer.

It will be interesting to see how his influence and relationships in the greater Death Care world are replaced at Park Lawn Corporation.

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