Funeral Director Daily recently learned that Rollings Funeral Service, based in Georgia, made a couple of acquisitions involving more than 100-year old family funeral homes.  Over the summer they purchased the McCombs Funeral Home of Jackson and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, — a firm that was founded in 1906.

And more recently in October, Rollings Funeral Service announced that they had purchased the Preddy Funeral Homes in the greater Charlottesville, Virginia, area.  Preddy Funeral Homes dates their founding back to 1916.

According to a press release, “The McCombs Funeral Home name will remain, and its current staff and leadership will continue serving families just as they always have. Through this partnership, Rollings will provide operational support, allowing the McCombs team to focus on delivering the exceptional service their community has come to expect.”

In a prepared statement in the press release, Christi Guilliams, former owner of McCombs Funeral Home made this comment, “This is a positive step forward for our staff and the families we serve.”

As to the Preddy Funeral Homes in Virginia, they operate out of three locations and serve more than 500 families per year.  According to that press releases, “The Preddy businesses will immediately gain access to Rollings accounting, legal and human resources support services.  The staff, who all will remain in their current roles, will also gain operational support, and will be able to participate in career training and bonus programs.  Families can expect the same high-quality care they have always received. . .”

In a prepared statement in the press release, Randy Preddy, former owner of Preddy Funeral Home made these comments, “This was obviously a big decision for us, but Shelly and I really wanted to stop working as hard and be able to travel a little more. . .At the same time I grew up in these communities and feel a huge responsibility to make sure our friends are still taken care of well and fairly. . . I really became comfortable that (Rollings) have the same interests at heart.” 

Rollings Funeral Service, along with their partner Pinnacle Funeral Service, operate close to 100 funeral service locations across 20 states.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  There is no doubt in my mind that “consolidation” in the traditional funeral home realm is happening and will continue happening at a more and more rapid pace.

I also believe that while renumeration is very important in the sale process for most family, and especially generational funeral home owners, the most important consideration in many sales of these “non-major urban area ” funeral homes is the “fit” with the acquiring company.  And, today’s owners of good operations have no lack of willing purchasers so they have the ability to look for a “good fit”.

I think being a “colleague” rather than a “competitor” will make a difference as national, regional, and local companies looking to grow will be making pitches to many of the most desireable businesses going forward.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Northeast Funeral Service Partnership Programs.  New York State Funeral Directors Association
• In cemeteries, author finds peace, beauty, and meaning.  Print Article and Podcast.  WXXI News – NPR (NY)
• Sunnyside Cemetery getting a larger footprint.  Catlayst (FL)
• How human composting turns bodies into soil.  Popular Science
• Cleveland Death Society creates community in “Death Positivity”.  Cleveland Magazine (OH)
• San Antonio cemetery plan rises from the dead after residents tried to bury it.  San Antonio Express News (TX)
• Japan’s Sapporo bans placing coins in coffins to help the dead pay for ferry to the afterlife.  South China Morning Post – English version

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