September 6, 2019
Published by 
Dan Isard on September 6, 2019
Dan Isard on September 6, 2019A solid, written business plan that is reviewed quarterly is mandatory if you own a funeral business. Here’s what should be in it. Why? Why did you choose to be funeral professionals? And why did some of you choose to manage a funeral business and others to own and manage a funeral business? To the last question, I hear some candid and honest answers: • It’s my family business; I was cast into this position. • It’s the only thing I could see myself doing; I’ve been working here since I was a kid. • I didn’t know I had a choice. Well, whether you guilted yourself into this profession, were born into it or exercised your free will, you are here. Therefore, the question is no longer “Why?” but “How can I do this job better, manage this […]
September 6, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 6, 2019
Dan Isard on September 6, 2019A Consumer Awareness and Preferences Survey commentary By Daniel M. Isard I will begin my commentary with a quote from Alphonse Karr, which was stolen by George Bernard Shaw, who said, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” As I pore over the 2019 NFDA consumer survey and compare and contrast it with my memory of earlier versions, I’m amazed and saddened by what I see. Allow me to shed light on five more illuminating and condemning issues amplified this year. Before I start, the pollsters are very clear that this survey reflects a younger age than previous surveys. About 36.1% of respondents are between 40 and 54. Is this important? Keep in mind that almost 80% of all deaths take place after age 65, with the average life expectancy in this country being 78.7 years. That […]
July 24, 2019
Published by 
Stephanie Ramsey on July 24, 2019
Stephanie Ramsey on July 24, 2019By Stephanie Ramsey; The Foresight Companies, LLC Many people believe that the funeral business work environment is something like the classic TV show The Brady Bunch. A mixed family that all got along and worked together in perfect harmony. Instead the reality is much more like the current show Modern Family— lots of sniping, gossiping, and taking sides with one group or another. While the daily work is ultimately accomplished, some employees may not be talking to each other and the atmosphere around the office is often frigid. Does this sound familiar? While the public may see a united team, behind the curtain there may be tension, frustration, and chaos that is on the verge of erupting at any moment. Managing funeral employees can be challenging on many different levels. One of the most difficult issues is addressing employee conflict. […]
July 24, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on July 24, 2019
Dan Isard on July 24, 2019By Daniel M. Isard Every dynamic of your operations can be enhanced by technology, and families appreciate the professionalism and ease it provides. Our business focuses on death and the living. This can be said of the tools of our trade as well, as we mourn the death of those things we felt we could never do without. Funeral service has lamented the death of three great tools of the trade. Can you guess what they are? I think they include: 1. Office chalkboard outlining all the cases This device was wonderful until you spilled water on it or leaned up against it and erased important details of upcoming services. Or perhaps you had employees with short arms, so they couldn’t write on the top half of the board. 2. Black velvet open-face message letter board While there is really […]
July 3, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on July 3, 2019
Dan Isard on July 3, 2019When you lose profit by setting your prices incorrectly, your firm loses value as well. Imagine it’s 1984 – prior to the FTC Funeral Rule being instituted – and we’re having a discussion about the method to set prices. It takes all of 12 seconds – the price of your casket times four, five or six, depending on whether you want to be higher or lower than your competitor. It doesn’t require a computer or a consultant. Whew, exhausting! Well, as they say, those were the good old days, and since the FTC required itemized pricing, it has been a tough task to undertake and now requires a computer and a consultant with a computer! Since 1984, funeral home profit has declined from about 15% to about 6% (based on a national accounting firm’s published reports and as computed by […]