June 25, 2026
Published by 
Jarod Bernat on June 25, 2026
Jarod Bernat on June 25, 2026How to approach a transfer of ownership realistically and effectively. Succession planning in the funeral service profession rarely entails just a business transaction. It is personal; emotional; and deeply tied to family legacy, community reputation and identity. For many funeral home owners, their business represents multiple generations of service. For the next generation, however, it represents opportunity, responsibility and, oftentimes, a very different vision for the future. Setting realistic expectations for both sides of the succession plan is the key to a successful transition. Without clarity, assumptions can cause resentment, and even good intentions can lead to fractures in a relationship. With clear communication and structured planning, however, succession can strengthen both the relationship and the business. For both the current owner and the future successor to approach succession planning with realism and foresight, they must adhere to the following […]
May 28, 2026
Published by 
Foresight on May 28, 2026
Foresight on May 28, 2026Written by Jen Graziano, Attorney/Licensed Funeral Director/Owner Every funeral director holds in their possession an arsenal of war stories from the field. From the unique situations we encounter with families, the memorable characters we deal with and the far fetched “asks” we sometimes hear, we see more than most, for sure. I, personally had a recent encounter that left quite an impression, worthy of sharing with my fellow colleagues in my opinion. The story, I hope, will remind us of our role as funeral directors. We are here to literally and figuratively hold the hands of our client families, and how well we do that makes all the difference. I recently had the privilege of meeting with an elderly gentleman, coming to the funeral home to discuss his own arrangements. The purpose of the meeting is one we’ve all heard […]
May 28, 2026
Published by Axel Jean-Francois on May 28, 2026
Axel Jean-Francois on May 28, 2026The Real Picture, Part 1: What Your Balance Sheet Is Actually Telling You Most funeral home owners can tell you what they made last year. Revenue, expenses, what was left over. Ask them about their balance sheet and the answer is usually some version of: “My accountant handles that.” That’s not a knock. The income statement is intuitive. Money in, money out, here’s what’s left. It’s a film. The balance sheet feels like accounting furniture. Something the bank asks for. Something filed away after tax season. But the balance sheet isn’t furniture. It’s the theater. You can have a sold-out show every night, but if the foundation is cracking and the rafters are rotting, the profit is an illusion. Everything your income statement reflects sits on top of it. And if what’s underneath is weak, none of the performance above […]
May 28, 2026
Published by Chris Cruger on May 28, 2026
Chris Cruger on May 28, 2026What new consumer data means for funeral service and cemetery professionals Each year, Foresight studies the evolution of consumer attitudes toward funeral and cemetery services. Over time, our Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study has become an annual benchmark for deathcare, and we make a point of sharing its findings with readers of The Director first. The goal of the study is straightforward: to better understand how families perceive funeral and cemetery services, what families expect from providers, and where the two professions can continue to improve. This year’s research includes feedback from more than 5,000 consumers and more than 1,000 funeral service professionals. This is the highest participation in the history of the study. With this level of engagement, the data provides a clear view into how families approach funeral service and cemetery decisions today. The results offer both […]
May 28, 2026
Published by Gabriel Ngo on May 28, 2026
Gabriel Ngo on May 28, 2026Arranging the story, not just the service, ahead of time. “Begin with the end in mind.” – Stephen Covey, American leadership expert and author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People I am friends with a retired funeral home owner and operator in Illinois. He ran an incredibly effective aftercare program that families loved. This gentleman, whom I greatly admire, employed a full-time licensed grief counselor and offered free grief counseling up to one year after a loved one’s passing. This aftercare program generated a multitude of leads for preplanning and prearrangement, but it also became a competitive advantage. He was providing the highest level of high-touch service, so he was able to justify higher prices than his competitors. Many thought leaders have written about how well designed aftercare programs can help owner-operators boost preneed business. And many others […]