In recent times, funeral homes are experiencing increased pressure from different angles. One of these is an increase in cremation rates, which drives down revenue. Another is an increase in e-commerce shopping, which also reduces profits. Lastly, funeral homes must comply with all government mandates and regulations, like the...
It’s no secret how important sustainability is for the welfare of our planet. But when considering potentially sensitive locations like funeral homes, concepts such as ethical recycling aren’t often prioritized. However, ethical recycling programs can benefit funeral homes in a variety of ways. These programs also benefit families unable...
Large death care providers, such as Service Corporation International, have used mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to become major players in the highly fragmented funeral industry. Using M&A is an opportunity to combine your business with another business in the death care industry, such as cemeteries and funeral homes, or...
In early February, the Federal Trade Commission announced it will begin reviewing the Funeral Industry Practices Rule, commonly referred to as the Funeral Rule. As part of their review, they are requesting feedback from the public regarding what effect, either positive or negative, the rule has had on them—if...
In 2017, the National Funeral Directors Association reported that the median cost of a funeral was $7,360 for viewing and burial with no vault, $8,755 for viewing and burial with vault, and $6,260 for viewing and cremation. These figured don’t take cemetery, monument, or market costs into account, nor...
Most everyone knows that daily living can impact the environment in countless ways. Now, more and more people are realizing that death care can, too. Accordingly, a study performed by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) revealed that 54 percent of all Americans are now considering a green burial....
After the addition of three amendments, passing through the Senate and almost making it through the House, Senator Tom McGarrigle’s Senate Bill 874 was removed from the table in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in mid April 2016. This doesn’t, by any means, mean the bill will not resurface,...
Earlier this year two of the largest publicly owned death care companies in North America merged, creating further consolidation in an industry that was once dominated by smaller family owned businesses. Consolidation within an industry can raise concerns for smaller entities. Larger companies have the ability to centralize many...