October 26, 2023
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on October 26, 2023
Nicole Vullo on October 26, 2023In our next installment of Ask the Owners, Stephen and Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services discuss the changes taking place within the funeral and cemetery profession and provide firsthand insights on how to adapt and evolve to meet these changes: Dear Friends, It’s been a month since we last connected, and we’ve been on a reflective journey. We’ve found ourselves pondering the true impact of the Funeral Profession not just for those who have chosen the calling to own a funeral home or to be a Funeral Director, but also for the families and communities we serve. We’ve asked ourselves a question that might resonate with you: Have you ever felt like your “Give a Damn” spirit has broken? If so, let’s embark on a transformative journey together, one that will help us better serve those […]
October 26, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on October 26, 2023
Nicole Vullo on October 26, 2023The new year may seem like it is far away, but there are just a mere 10 weeks left. While owners and operators have to keep their eye on the ball in order to maintain a strong finish to the year, simultaneously they must also keep the future in focus. This means, budgeting for 2024. We asked Senior M&A Analyst, Jared Tanke to further elaborate on this process. Question: I am in the process of starting my 2024 business plan for my funeral home. What is the first step that I need to take to create a successful plan? Jared Tanke: Budgeting for a funeral home is absolutely critical to maintaining quality service, having adequate reserves for upgrading facilities, and navigating the constant changing landscape of the profession. Having a well thought out planning session where you lay everything on […]
September 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on September 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on September 28, 2023The Foresight team is excited to announce that we are introducing a new blog column! When we first started our Ask the Experts and Ask the Analysts columns it was our goal to use these blogs to answer the most important questions funeral and cemetery professionals had about their businesses. With this is mind, we wanted to bring a new perspective to these vital questions: the viewpoint of owners and operators. We are honored to introduce you to Stephen and Diann Anderson, formerly of Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services. Each month Stephen and Diann will provide insightful information to help you improve how to operate your businesses. To start our column, please allow us to introduce you to Stephen and Diann as they tell us their goals for the “Ask the Owner” blog column: To the Funeral and Cemetery Profession, […]
September 26, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on September 26, 2023
Nicole Vullo on September 26, 2023Having a succession plan in place for your funeral home or cemetery business is vital in today’s business environment. While there are many elements that go into your succession plan, one that is of high importance is who to choose as your successor. In our latest Ask the Analyst blog, Sierra Heil shares the key consideration when deciding who the successor of your business will be. Question: I am in the process of deciding who to succeed me in my funeral business. What are the important things to consider when selecting my successor? Sierra Heil: For all funeral home owners the decision to choose a successor to sell your business to is a significant and deeply personal one. Your business holds a special place in your heart, as you have helped families during their most challenging times and built up a […]
August 28, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023Written by Jarod Bernat, Senior M&A Analyst Over the past few decades, we saw the introduction of the FTC rule requiring funeral homes to provide families with GPL’s when requested, the introduction of the internet providing a whole new interface with consumers, and the newest FTC rule requiring online access to GPL’s in some states. Given that the industry is well-known for not being early adapters to new technology or trends, it is no surprise that there has been significant pushback to the utilization of the internet to display pricing within the profession. Business owners fear that when prices are posted online, they will be compared to their competitors, and prices will become a race to the bottom. But while this may seem like the only possible conclusion at first glance, there is much more to consider as the internet […]