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As of today, we are almost 75% of the way through 2025 and here is what we have seen: Rates remain unchanged since the beginning of the year, however optimism towards cuts is rising after a negative revision on employment figures. This, combined with mounting political pressures placed upon the Federal Reserve, has the odds of rate cut in September sitting at 85%. From a demographics perspective, the United States population curve remains as inverted as it has ever been, with over 30% of the population falling into the 55+ age range. Of that 30%, over 16% fall under the 65+ age range. With these factors in play, estimates for death rates in 2026 come in around 9.25 to 9.30 deaths per thousand, with theses figures expected to rise past in subsequent years. Appetite and interest in the profession continue […]

Six Proven Plays to Lift Funeral-Home Margins — Without Losing Your Soul “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” — John Wooden Running a funeral home today is like steering a tugboat through fog while speedboats zip past. You can’t keep jacking up prices, and you definitely can’t cut corners on care—families remember both. What you can do is run smarter. The six plays below come from live field data (and a few hard-earned scars). Margins may be math, but leadership is still about people. PLAY 1 — Master the Fundamentals “Excellence is achieved by the mastery of the fundamentals.” — Vince Lombardi Why the Middle Wins Offer three crystal-clear packages—Good, Better, Best. Behavioral economists call it the Goldilocks effect; we call it a license to boost average ticket. 51 % of families in our 2025 study chose the mid-tier […]

This month, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, an experience that left me inspired and better equipped to support my clients with a deeper sense of empathy, strategy, and clarity. One attendee posed a question that stood out to me: “How can we consistently add value to our services without reinforcing the stereotype that we’re upselling families at their most vulnerable, especially when budgets are tight?” Reflecting on these candid discussions and collaborative exchanges made one thing clear: delivering high-value service doesn’t always mean families need to spend more—it means providing thoughtful, personalized gestures that resonate deeply. One director shared how she crafts small, meaningful mementos that reflect the deceased’s favorite hobby or brainstorms different ideas to tie in their personality to the service. Small acts with significant emotional impact. You can’t always raise […]

In the ever-evolving funeral and cemetery profession, making informed financial decisions is more critical than ever. Whether you’re managing day-to-day operations, planning for a significant capital investment, or considering a business expansion, a well-crafted financial model can be the key to unlocking clarity and confidence in your decision-making. What Is a Financial Model and Why Does It Matter? A financial model is essentially a comprehensive summary of your funeral home’s income, expenses, and cash flow, all neatly organized in a spreadsheet. It is designed to answer pivotal questions about your business’s future. For funeral home owners, a financial model can help you: Plan Your Budget: Ensure that your revenue streams—from services like funeral arrangements and merchandise sales—cover your expenses, including staff wages and facility upkeep. Evaluate Investments: Decide whether purchasing new equipment (such as a retort or updated vehicles) or […]