July 25, 2025
Published by 
Luke Potter on July 25, 2025
Luke Potter on July 25, 2025Funeral service owners wear many hats—counselor, manager, operations lead—but one of the most important roles is strategist. Whether you’re five or fifteen years away from retirement, you need to think ahead. The most successful owners plan years in advance, staying ahead of trends, preparing their staff, and organizing their business so that when it’s time to step away, the transition feels like a natural next step—not a fire drill. Long-term thinking creates flexibility and options, whether you’re training a family successor or preparing for a sale. Technology is one of the easiest ways to future-proof your funeral home. Case management systems, digital arrangement tools, and customer relationship platforms are no longer nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation for efficiency. They streamline the front office, reduce errors, and create better visibility into how your business operates. They also make your firm more attractive to […]
June 25, 2025
Published by Luke Potter on June 25, 2025
Luke Potter on June 25, 2025Most funeral home owners don’t spend much time digging into financial statements— and understandably so. Your focus is on families, staff, facilities, and the day-to-day operations that make your business what it is. But when the time comes to plan for retirement, transition ownership, or even apply for financing, the numbers matter. And often, they don’t reflect the full picture. Recasting financials is the process of adjusting your financial statements to show the true earning potential of your business. It’s not accounting manipulation—it’s about separating personal or one-time expenses from your actual operational performance so a buyer, bank, or successor sees the business as you run it, not just as it appears on paper. For many funeral home owners, traditional financial statements understate profitability because they’re built around minimizing taxes. You may run personal expenses through the business, like a […]
March 28, 2025
Published by Luke Potter on March 28, 2025
Luke Potter on March 28, 2025The global nature of today’s economy means that tariffs, or taxes imposed on imported goods, can have far-reaching implications—including within the funeral profession. While many funeral homes may not feel the immediate impact of tariffs, it is essential to remain vigilant and prepared for potential ripple effects on business operations and the merchandise clients depend on. Staying informed and proactive can help professionals navigate these challenges while maintaining the quality-of-service families expect. How Tariffs Impact Merchandise One of the most direct effects of tariffs lies in the cost of funeral merchandise. Many caskets sold in the U.S., for example, are manufactured in countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. If tariffs are imposed on these imports, the increased costs could trickle down to funeral homes and their clients. For instance, a 25% tariff on a $1,000 imported casket adds $250 […]
November 25, 2024
Published by Luke Potter on November 25, 2024
Luke Potter on November 25, 2024A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps businesses and organizations assess their internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats they face. The acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. By conducting a SWOT analysis, an organization can gain valuable insights into where it stands in the market, what it does well, where it may be falling short, and how it can capitalize on emerging trends or mitigate potential risks. For funeral home operators, performing a SWOT analysis is crucial to improving service quality, boosting customer satisfaction, and staying competitive in a market that requires sensitivity, professionalism, and trust. What is a SWOT Analysis? A SWOT analysis involves evaluating both internal and external factors that can influence a business’s performance. The internal factors include strengths and weaknesses, while external factors encompass opportunities […]
July 30, 2024
Published by Luke Potter on July 30, 2024
Luke Potter on July 30, 2024Establishing a funeral home or cemetery business for future success is crucial for its longevity as well as for a smooth ownership transition. You must be proactive in this approach and take early steps as opposed to waiting for when it must be done. We asked Financial Analyst, Luke Potter to go into further detail on the process. Question: What steps can I do now in my business plan to set my funeral home up to be successful? Luke Potter: Setting up a funeral home for future success is essential for ensuring its longevity and the smooth transition of ownership. Proactive succession planning is a key component of this preparation. By identifying and mentoring potential successors early, whether they are family members or key employees, funeral directors can provide continuity and stability. Developing leadership skills and creating a comprehensive transition […]