Blog

Written by Wanda Sizemore, Homesteaders Director-Training & Development I have been fortunate to work in many funeral homes throughout my career, from all across the country. I have found that the differences between these businesses are significant, but in a lot of ways all funeral homes are alike: We are all here to serve families when they need us most, and that is true no matter what your role is in the funeral home. Like many of you, I came to the profession through personal tragedy after the unexpected loss of my mother and brother-in-law. In the days that followed, my family was understandably overwhelmed with grief and stress. When it became clear my boss at the time was not able to offer me the time and space I needed to process these catastrophic losses, I left my employer and […]

Written by the lawyers of WRW Legal, PLLC:  Wendy Russell Wiener, Lauren Pettine and Hank Thompson. Over the last few years, consumers and the federal government have grown critical of “junk fees” in a variety of industries and professions. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission is promulgating new regulations designed to address junk fees.  The funeral industry is wary of the FTC’s efforts here, and rightly so, which seem to go hand in hand, philosophically, with the potential revisions to the long-established Funeral Rule. Our office has been monitoring the discussion on junk fees and reviewing the proposed text of the regulations with an eye toward impact on the funeral industry. Junk fees are defined as mandatory fees which are omitted from advertised prices by businesses. All businesses will be subject to these regulations, if they become effective. The […]

In a significant move, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made waves in April by nullifying and prohibiting noncompete clauses in the majority of employment contracts. While this ruling raises questions for various sectors, its impact on funeral homes and cemeteries remains uncertain, primarily due to historical difficulties in enforcing overly broad noncompetes. Funeral directors’ agreements epitomize the type of contracts under scrutiny by the FTC. Understandably, no enterprise welcomes additional regulatory hurdles. Yet, within the funeral and cemetery profession, noncompete clauses provoke distinct relational and practical considerations. Reflecting on transactions dating back to the mid-1990s, the crux of the matter lies in the feasibility of restricting individuals from pursuing their livelihoods. It is important to note that limitations on professional mobility are problematic. However, perceptions may shift if ample compensation is provided for other reasons. The crux of the matter […]