Ask the Owner

Written By Jen Graziano, Licensed Funeral Director, Attorney, Founder: RememBar Collection As the saying goes, “you only have one chance to make a first impression”.  How true these words are and the death care realm offers no exception.  As professionals in this sacred space, we are tasked with selling our services, our funeral homes, our memorial products, ultimately even ourselves, in those critical moments of the “first call”.  The “first call”, or the initial encounter is more than securing a client or sale.  Often we are speaking to an emotional caller, one who was reticent to even make the call, or one who likely wishes they were calling any other place but a funeral home or a cemetery.  Some may call with preconceived notions that we, collectively, are scammers looking to take advantage of the most vulnerable or that we […]

Written 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 […]

Written 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 […]

Written 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 […]