October 30, 2025
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on October 30, 2025
Nicole Vullo on October 30, 2025Written By Jen Graziano, Attorney, Licensed Funeral Director NY/CT Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home By now anyone who’s had a read of my articles will detect the (not so) subtle theme that labor shortages are crippling our industry. The result is mounting owner frustration, excess burnout and even premature exits from the business. But maintaining good labor, if you’re blessed to already have it, is key to remaining in this game. If you are lucky enough to have strong players on your team, dedicated to supporting and advancing your funeral home and brand, cherish them….and make sure they are happy and hoping to remain on board. A simple, “check in” to “check up” on your employees will go a long way. Weekly “roundup” meetings to address any issues or concerns are a good way to take the temperature of your […]
September 25, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on September 25, 2025
Nicole Vullo on September 25, 2025Written By Jen Graziano, Attorney, Licensed Funeral Director NY/CT Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home Independent funeral home owners are facing unprecedented challenges which can force their hands into a premature exit. Labor shortages coupled with declining service revenue margins and increasing overhead costs cause many owners to ponder whether it’s time to hang their hat. Another contributing factor is the decline of generational continuity in the family business. After all, our children have watched us leave the dinner table far too many times to take a death call. The decision to not enter the funeral business has subconsciously been made for them. There is a collective frustration that has permeated the headspace of so many funeral home owners. Repeat families that call upon us often fail to repeat their prior service and merchandise selections. The rising generation of funeral planners […]
September 25, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on September 25, 2025
Nicole Vullo on September 25, 2025When most people hear the word “branding,” they picture a logo, a website, or maybe a color scheme. But in the funeral and cemetery profession, branding runs much deeper. A strong brand isn’t just what you look like, it’s how you make people feel. It’s the trust you inspire in families, the reputation you carry in your community, and the reason generations return to you in their times of need. Recently, I had the opportunity to lead a training session on Branding Fundamentals in Funeral and Cemetery Services, and the conversation highlighted just how critical branding is for long-term success in our profession. Branding vs. Marketing: Knowing the Difference One of the biggest misconceptions is that branding and marketing are the same thing. They’re not. Branding is your foundation: the “what” and “why” behind your business. Marketing is the “how.” […]
August 28, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2025
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2025And no, you don’t need to panic. But you do need a plan. Let’s set the scene. A future family is sitting on their couch—probably in sweats, possibly with a pet in their lap—Googling funeral homes. Not driving around town. Not flipping through the Yellow Pages (RIP). Just tapping, scrolling, and reading reviews. And in those few moments, they’ve already decided whether you feel approachable, trustworthy, and worth calling—or if they’re moving on to the next name in the search results. According to our 2025 Consumer Behavior Study, 78% of future families plan to do online research before choosing a provider. That’s up from 71% last year. The shift we’ve been warning about? It’s no longer “on the horizon”—it’s already at your front door. And if your website is still rocking a PDF price list and a grainy photo from […]
August 28, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2025
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2025Written By Jen Graziano, Attorney, Licensed Funeral Director NY/CT Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home Recent headlines were made in the State of Indiana regarding a “death doula” and a question of her infringement on the stringent rules and regulations that govern the death care industry. As funeral directors are aware that we are bound by both federal and state regulatory guidelines that affect our ability to discuss funeral arrangements with families. The mere mention of “cost” or “price” trigger a cold and callous passage of price menu into the client’s hands. (That’s a conversation for another day). Despite the federal and state confines we’ve long been placed under, which dictate how we charge, what we can charge for and how we can present said charges, in comes the “doula” with free-flowing discussions on these same topics. It’s a quandary, but […]