June 23, 2021
Published by 
Chris Cruger on June 23, 2021
Chris Cruger on June 23, 2021One of the sexiest topics out there is always growth. The only question is, what does growing really mean? For the purposes of this discussion, let’s consider growth becoming greater over a period of time. Growth doesn’t necessarily mean an aggressive acquisition binge, but it does mean being in a constant state of evolution. As we have seen in the 2021 Foresight Consumer Behavior Study, 32% of consumers have a different attitude toward the funeral and cemetery profession or their expectations for memorialization have changed as a result of the pandemic. Consumers are embracing a new way of doing things – and they have no intention of going back to the old way of doing things. Technology is rapidly becoming the bedrock of the profession. Over the past year, three groupings have emerged – there have been clear winners and […]
May 25, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on May 25, 2021
Chris Cruger on May 25, 2021Buying and Selling continues to be a hot topic with our readers and the profession in general. We were recently asked about the selling process. Chris Cruger provides his insights on this topic. Question: With everything going on right now, should I be thinking about selling my business? Chris Cruger: When considering your options, you need to ask yourself if the time is right to sell? Should you continue to operate? Consider these four issues: Examine your motives for wanting to sell – Is the decision being driven by health reasons, divorce, death, cremation, etc.… – The reason will determine the urgency and timing. Tax Environment – Sellers are able to get a very attractive capital gains treatment right now. A business sold today will have an effective tax rate of approximately 20 percent. That rate could go as high […]
May 21, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on May 21, 2021
Chris Cruger on May 21, 2021As we were all learning to work the ‘new normal’ into our lexicon The Foresight Companies conducted a study focused on consumer attitudes toward the funeral and cemetery profession in the post-pandemic era. The findings around the role of our profession were simply astonishing. The pandemic has altered not only how funeral homes and cemeteries serve their families today, but it also has produced a reimagined role for funeral and cemetery professionals both in perception and reality. The result is an elevated view as “last responders” in the eyes of the consumer. When a death occurs, most families arrive at funeral and cemetery facilities with unsure expectations. Emotions are high and the need for quick decisions can cause even more stress. Is it that much of a surprise that consumers feel a disconnection between the opinion of our profession and […]
March 22, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on March 22, 2021
Chris Cruger on March 22, 2021The pandemic has presented overwhelming negatives, but there have also been some positives for the profession’s future. I remember sitting down with our staff one last time for a team lunch before we sent everybody home to work remotely. We didn’t know much about this crazy virus and certainly couldn’t have imagined that we’d still be dealing with it one year later. I was one of the naysayers and thought it was being overblown, but I still told people to be prepared to be working remotely until after July 4. It sounded silly then (to all of us). Now, I would take July 4, 2021, as a target date for that return to normal. I imagine most of us would. The past 12 months have been like none other in our lifetime. We have been stretched to limits we never […]
February 3, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on February 3, 2021
Chris Cruger on February 3, 2021 How COVID-19 Changed the Role of the Funeral and Cemetery Professional Whitepaper DOWNLOAD NOW Introduction One of the key findings in our recently published 2020 Foresight Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study (FCCBS) centers around how the ongoing pandemic had generated an unforeseen impact on the role of the funeral and cemetery professional. More specifically, the pandemic has affected not only how funeral homes and cemeteries serve their families in the present reality but has also shaped a reimagined role for funeral and cemetery professionals both in perception and reality. The outcome is an elevated position and profile as “last responders” in the eyes of the consumer. Most families walk into our funeral and cemetery facilities uncertain about what to expect. Negative depictions in the media further cloud their opinion. It only takes one bad apple exposed by the […]