February 19, 2018
Published by 
Steve Zittle on February 19, 2018
Steve Zittle on February 19, 2018The evolution of funeral service has presented a sea of changes over time, so we must not simply mourn the past and hang on but move forward to give today’s consumers what they want. The traditional funeral, as funeral service so lovingly defines it, is gone. And it’s not coming back. In 2018, can we all finally agree on this point? Sure, there are some rural pockets of the country that have remained more stable in their practices, but are any among us honestly holding out hope that we’ll see families in the future choosing better quality merchandise and putting more emphasis on memorialization? When it comes to the “traditional” funeral, I encourage us all to get to the last and most important stage of grief – acceptance. But please don’t accept that changing consumer attitudes are all your fault. […]
February 14, 2018
Published by 
Dan Isard on February 14, 2018
Dan Isard on February 14, 2018Dear Dan, I’m getting old, about to turn 62. I have owned my business for 30 years. I’d like to work until age 66 and sell the business at that time. I have a key person who wants to buy my business. The sale could coincide with my birth month, and I would like to take my Social Security at its full value. As my location is rural, I have had trouble attracting staff. My key person has been with me for 20 years – just the two of us doing everything. I told him I would be happy to stay on after the buyout for a modest salary, assuming I am only doing modest labors. I don’t want any surprise to my Social Security retirement benefit due to my continued working status. What advice can you give me? Old […]
February 13, 2018
Published by Dan Isard on February 13, 2018
Dan Isard on February 13, 2018Dear Dan, My cemetery is 60 years old. We have 40 acres of land to develop and about three acres developed for sale. We average 300 sales a year. The issue is, how do we determine what to develop these 40 acres into? Developmentally Delayed in Des Moines Dear Triple D, Your quandary is very easy to resolve. I strongly recommend doing two things: Survey your existing consumers. Hold public meetings. Never in the history of communication has conducting a survey been easier than it is today. Today we can send a survey to families and ask them questions about how they see their relationship with us. You should be surveying your families throughout the year. Ask them how satisfied they were with the process of working with your cemetery. This can include questions such as: Why did you elect […]
February 9, 2018
Published by 
Stephanie Ramsey on February 9, 2018
Stephanie Ramsey on February 9, 2018Is your funeral business at risk of an EEOC investigation for sexual harassment/sex-based harassment? When I ask funeral business owners and managers this question, most immediately indicate that they do not have a problem with sexual harassment in their businesses. When I inquire about their confidence on this issue they proclaim, “our business has a professional atmosphere and we have great employees”. Unfortunately, a professional work environment does not mean that everything is perfect. Even “great” employees are accused of harassment. More importantly they are found guilty of such harassment. If your employees have not been given training to specifically understand what constitutes sexual harassment your business might be at risk of facing a complaint. This is especially true given the current public climate that is supporting those who come forward with stories of harassment. Funeral business owners need to […]
January 29, 2018
Published by Dan Isard on January 29, 2018
Dan Isard on January 29, 2018As I began to write this article, my mind conjured up the image of our country’s State of the Union address. The president is announced, and upon entering the House chamber, he shakes the hands of well-wishers. Of course, no matter which party is in power, the opposition is generally less exuberant as the exalted speaker continues toward the podium. Imagine with me the magnitude of the words spoken, and with that scene in your head, I now present you with the State of the Profession address. Fellow funeral professionals, providers, suppliers and supporters, we are living in a unique time of opportunity and challenge to our livelihood. Our noble profession serves families during a most difficult life event, the death of a loved one. Like a hospital, your funeral home does not have the luxury of set hours […]