August 28, 2023
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023Funeral service consumers are speaking up, but are we listening? A little-known fact about me – I am a sucker for greeting cards and quotes. I cannot get enough of them and will easily spend hours browsing for the perfect card to give a loved one. Some may find them cheesy and cliché, but I am not one of them! I want to begin with a quote from famous novelist Ernest Hemingway, who once said, “When people talk, listen completely.” Are you still with me? Those words of Hemingway’s are a solid example of what should be a guiding principle for funeral home owners and cemetery operators when dealing with client families. Okay, one more and I promise I’m done. This is from Epictetus, a Greek philosopher. He states, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can […]
June 27, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023
Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023Written by Sierra Heil, M&A Analyst Despite challenges in the current market environment, such as a slowing economy, inflation, and rising interest rates, many funeral home owners and cemetery operators are focused on succession planning. A 2021 survey by the National Funeral Directors Association found that 27% of owners planned to sell their business or retire within five years, meaning we are likely to continue to see plenty of transaction activity despite potential economic obstacles. Technology, shifting preferences, and changing demographics shape the nature of these transactions. While every business and community differs, careful strategic planning and awareness of changing landscapes can position an owner favorably when the time comes to sell. Increasing Private Equity Investment & Consolidation According to the NFDA, as of mid-2023, 89.2% of funeral home businesses are still independent and family owned. However, as the population […]
June 27, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023
Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023Add a Traditional Element to Today’s Techie Marketing Strategy Whether it is a conversation with friends and family or your coworkers, it seems everyone these days is talking about all thing’s robots. With all due respect, it is a valid topic. Ever since ChatGPT started to make its presence known toward the end of 2022, the terms “AI” and “automation” have quickly become hot buzzwords. On a lighter note, I can recall a team lunch in our office that started out discussing ChatGPT but quickly segued into a conversation of “what was the name of the Jetson’s maid?” I will save you the Google search: her name was Rosey. My point is that in 2023, all these futuristic elements that we expected to happen at some point in the new millennium are becoming mainstream. And while they are great tools […]
April 18, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on April 18, 2023
Nicole Vullo on April 18, 2023Bringing your marketing blueprint to life requires a solid plan but also the flexibility to try new things and change what doesn’t work. I recently finished a book in which the main character and I shared a few things in common. We both love football and we both use algorithms in our careers. Her algorithms were focused on using data to analyze and predict game strategies and mine are focused on crafting the appropriate elements for a marketing strategy. Now, if only I could also marry the star NFL quarterback like she did… But I digress. Every marketing and social media platform uses an algorithm, and whether you like it or not, you need to understand it to be successful in marketing your funeral home or cemetery business. The algorithms determine which content people see every time they check the […]
March 21, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on March 21, 2023
Nicole Vullo on March 21, 2023If you are planning to sell your funeral home or cemetery business, there are many factors to consider. One that is extremely important in 2023 is the rise of interest rates. Our M&A Analyst, Sierra Heil provides her insight on this vital question. Question: How can I sell my business if interest rates are rising? Sierra Heil: Over the past 20 years, the deathcare industry has undergone significant consolidation. Many industries have become more focused on convenience and value leading to the emergence of large national chains in an industry that at one time was entirely run by independent local providers. As the baby boomer population ages, many people live outside of the areas they were born or away from younger family members, and families often appreciate when firms offer a wide range of services and options for their loved ones. […]
February 2, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on February 2, 2023
Nicole Vullo on February 2, 2023DOUG GOBER TO BE HONORED WITH THE ICCFA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION’S LASTING IMPACT AWARD STERLING, VA—January 31, 2023 – The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association’s (ICCFA) Educational Foundation will present its Lasting Impact Award to Doug Gober during the 2023 ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri. Doug has logged hundreds of hours as a speaker and educator at deathcare events across the globe and has presented at many ICCFA events including the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition, the DEAD Talks Sales Conference, and the ICCFA University. He has earned numerous national awards within the deathcare profession and has served as a consultant for marketing and merchandising projects on an international scale. Doug currently serves on the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee. Doug began his career in deathcare 44 years ago as a sales representative for Batesville Casket […]
July 25, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on July 25, 2022
Nicole Vullo on July 25, 2022We were excited to take part in the 2022 Funeral (Un)Conference. DISRUPT Media and ConnectingDirectors.com teamed up with deathcare leaders to bring the first-ever Funeral (un)Conference to your digital screen. Chris Cruger joined Day Two of the event for an unscripted and unprecedented panel discussion about all things business growth and funding. For a recap of the discussion, click the video below.
July 25, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on July 25, 2022
Nicole Vullo on July 25, 2022It is not surprising that the transaction environment is still as fast paced as it was this time last year. We were recently asked about the current environment and what to consider when deciding to sell your funeral business. Chris Cruger provides his insights on this important topic. Question: I am considering selling my funeral home in 2022. What does the current environment look like and what should I be considering when selling my business? Chris Cruger: First and foremost, if you want to do anything in 2022, you need to get the ball rolling immediately. The end of the year will be here before you know it and there is no time to waste. We discussed this very topic during the 2022 Funeral (un) Conference and it also introduces a number of other considerations. The first is, are you […]
June 27, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2022
Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2022Get Cohesive, Get Practical, Get Going! Generally speaking, when someone tells you to “have fun,” one cannot help but wonder if that is a genuine expression or some type of passive-aggressive warning. Think of when a woman says it to her boyfriend or spouse when he wants to have a “guy’s night” or a day of golf with his buddies. Yes, ladies, we have all been there! But I am here to tell you wholeheartedly that when it comes to marketing your funeral home or cemetery business, I want you to have F.U.N.— Functional, Unique, and Neat marketing elements. F for Functional Marketing Every business, regardless of its industry and vertical, needs a cohesive marketing strategy to engage with its audience enough so that they will buy the product or services offered. This is where functional marketing comes into play. […]
June 26, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 26, 2022
Nicole Vullo on June 26, 2022Planning for the succession of your funeral home or cemetery business is one of the hottest topics within our profession. It is a process that takes time and dedication to complete. We were recently asked about the process and if it is something that requires a business consultant. John T. McQueen, CFSP uses his own experience to provide insight on this important question. Question: Do I need a business consultant to help with my succession plan? John T. McQueen, CFSP: At a point in your career, you will find yourself in a unique position, caught between sense of duty and sense of family. You have spent a lifetime serving others and building or continuing your family’s legacy in funeral service. It has been a tiresome job at times, yet it has also been the most rewarding when the family hugs […]
May 31, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on May 31, 2022
Nicole Vullo on May 31, 2022Have you wondered what is the most important elements of your funeral business marketing plan? Google, Social Media, and your website are some of the elements that come to mind. Continue reading below as I provide my insights to this important question below. Question: Part of my 2022 goals for my business is to improve on the marketing activities of our funeral home. What is one thing we should work on first to improve our marketing plans? Nicole Vullo: To me, there is not better time to improve on your marketing efforts than this very moment. In our 2022 Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study, one of the finding we discovered is that consumers are relying heavily on your website to make their decisions as to whether to use your business for their needs. In fact, 70% of consumers want […]
April 28, 2022
Published by Nicole Vullo on April 28, 2022
Nicole Vullo on April 28, 2022To strengthen your business and be prepared for changing times, you must accept and embrace innovation. They say hindsight is 20/20, and while no one could have predicted the long-lasting impact the pandemic would have on our businesses, the truth is that most of these “new” marketing trends across the funeral and cemetery professions are actually not that new. Social media has been around. Google Ads were available as an advertising platform. Branding was always crucial, and having a functioning website was the norm. It’s just that, at the time, they were things we’d get around to implementing “eventually.” They were considered “nice to haves.” Now, when it’s vital to connect with client families in every way possible, these “new” trends have now become “need to haves.” I don’t want to bear bad news or be alarmist, but if you […]