Ask the Expert

Planning 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 […]

Have you ever been asked to provide information on your former employees? This is a common occurrence and can be complicated depending on what is being asked.  Curtis Rostad provides his insights to this important question below. Question: I had a firm call me asking for information on a former employee who had applied for a job with them. I didn’t know what I could tell them. I have been told only to confirm that they used to work for us and their dates of employment. What is the law? Curtis Rostad: There is no federal employment law restricting what you can say about a former employee. The advice to disclose only employment dates comes from (overly) cautious attorneys that fear you might be sued by the former employee for defamation over what you might say. But you are not […]

Preparation is key when it comes to your strategic business plan for the new year. We were recently asked what steps are needed to take right now to plan for a successful year. Chris Cruger provides his insights to this important question below. Question: What do I need to be doing in order to set my funeral home up for success in 2022? Chris Cruger: First, I would suggest to take a moment to be grateful. This has been a very long, hard past couple years. The profession has gained new levels of recognition in the media and society. The emergence of the profession as the “last responders” has propelled the profession to new heights. However, this recognition does not come without a price. Many are worn out, stressed and on their last nerve. As we look towards 2022, many […]

Selling your funeral home or cemetery business continues to be a one of the hottest topics with our readers and the profession. We were recently asked about the timeline for selling your business by the end of the year. Doug Gober provides his insights on this important question. Question: I am ready to retire and want to have my business sold by December 31,2021. Am I too late? What do I need to do to have this done by the end of the year? Doug Gober: The short answer is no. You are not too late. However, there are many qualification statements that need to be considered to make your transition happen. First, you must be prepared to focus on the task at hand. There are so many small elements of a transition; whether big or small, that can become […]