July 14, 2017
Published by 
Dan Isard on July 14, 2017
Dan Isard on July 14, 2017Let’s face it funeral friends: Technology in the funeral profession is here to stay. It’s not a fad that people simply use to play games or catch up with each other. It has become woven into the fabric of our lives, both professionally and privately. In preparing to write this article, I considered different facets of a funeral, cremation and burial, and where technology has created a better experience for families while boosting the productivity of funeral directors. Before a call ever takes place, a funeral home must promote itself in such a manner that prompts a consumer to make contact regarding an impending death or a death that has occurred. In days gone by, marketing for funeral homes was simple. We are in a relationship business, so visibility in operative communities was a must, and frankly, is still an […]
July 14, 2017
Published by 
Stephanie Ramsey on July 14, 2017
Stephanie Ramsey on July 14, 2017 Scenario: ABC Funeral Home, owned by Jim and Jane Smith, is a funeral home considered to be the market leader in a Midwestern town with a population of approximately 300,000. Part of its approach to maintaining market share is its high quality of family services fostered primarily through its experienced and qualified staff. ABC Funeral Home pays its employees well and offers competitive benefits. They live in a state that recognizes at-will employment. Finding quality employees is challenging for everyone in the area. Recently, one of ABC Funeral Home’s senior funeral directors gave notice indicating that he would be joining another firm in the area. His resignation indicated that he would stay with the firm another 30 days. Jim accepted his resignation, but he was concerned about his senior employee stealing confidential and proprietary information, so he told the […]
July 1, 2017
Published by Dan Isard on July 1, 2017
Dan Isard on July 1, 2017Fear of going to jail for noncompliance of filing taxes is not the first reason you need good accounting. Bankruptcy is a much more frequent event. Still, it’s better to be prepared. By Daniel M. Isard At the young age of 19, I was promoting concerts in Philadelphia when I got a call from a bar owner who wanted to have three concerts at his large venue. This guy was, as we would say in South Philly at the time, “mobbed up.” But I didn’t care who hired me – I needed money for college. As the first concert was taking place, I sat in the box office doing “the count” – confirming receipts versus tickets sold. When I finished, I found the bar owner in the rafters watching the concert where the sound and light guys were […]
June 30, 2017
Published by Dan Isard on June 30, 2017
Dan Isard on June 30, 2017Internet marketing, which has virtually replaced older forms of marketing a business, is also very accounting friendly, as we can see the costs and results clearly. Dear Dan, I am a third-generation owner of a mid-size funeral business. My child came into the business a few years back, and we bump heads on many things transgenerational. She just returned from a seminar and is yapping on about social media, click-throughs, Google AdWords and SEO. I have no idea what the heck she’s talking about! When she started talking about “impressions,” I thought she was about to discuss Rich Little. I was befuddled over “inbound marketing,” as I thought it had something to do with the signs on our driveway. Then, just before I said I needed to change the battery on my hearing aid, she said she needed $20,000 […]
June 28, 2017
Published by Dan Isard on June 28, 2017
Dan Isard on June 28, 2017When you take a long-term view, green burial is not new. It’s just the way burial used to be. But that was a long time ago, and some cemetery professionals and families need to be educated about what it means today and what it offers. Cemetery Impossible What exactly is green burial and why should a cemetery consider offering it? Dear Cemetery Impossible, I hear a lot of people talking about green or natural burial. Frankly, I don’t get it. Can you explain it so that a country undertaker can understand why I should consider it? Country Undertaker Dear Country Undertaker, Green or natural burial is not new. From a religious perspective, this is the burial requirement of Jews and Moslems. Biblically, it is established as “dust to dust.” This is what all burial was, regardless of […]