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This is the fourth installment of a series of articles about the cremation business. In the three previous articles, I explained that there are three types of cremation businesses and outlined how the trade cremation and “no-frills” cremation businesses work. This month, I’m exploring the harsh reality of the funeral home cremation business.

We all try something new and different at some point in our business life.  When we do, one of two things will happen: It will be successful or it will fail.  The unknown of will it work or not work makes change with innovation scary.  One of the most powerful resources we have at our fingertips to help us decide whether or not to move forward with an innovative change is a survey.

Running a profitable cemetery is not the same as running a profitable funeral home.  In this month’s Finance 101 column Dan responds to a reader looking for advice on whether or not to buy a local cemetery in his market.

Do you ever use your business bank account or credit card to pay a personal expense?  Is this OK?  The answer is “it depends.”  Read our latest issue of Accountability to find out what “it depends” on.

So, why is it that if 40 percent of at-need services result in a cremation that 40 percent or more of prearrangements are not for cremation services?  While the cremation rate today is about 40 percent nationwide, my analytical estimate is that 85 percent of all preneeds are for burial dispositions.  Again, the question is why?

This is the third installment of a series of articles on the cremation business. Last month, the focus was on the “no frills cremation business.” This month, the focus is on the trade cremation business.

There are many reasons to make an acquisition and just as many to walk away from one.  Click below to read Dan’s 4 step process outlined to help funeral business owner Concerned About Change decide whether or not to purchase a competitor’s business.

Did your heart just turn to stone hearing those two words ” employee reviews”?  It does not need to be complex.  In this month’s Mortuary Management issue, Stephanie Ramsey’s guides you through a process to give you the opportunity to retain and develop your employees as high-quality assets of your company.

In this quarterly issue of Front Office News, we offer tips to raise awareness of accommodation requests for employees as well as how to handle overwhelmed employees.

In this second article of a 4 part series, Dan takes a closer look at the “no frills” cremation business.

Consumers remain confused as to what truly qualifies as a green alternative, and one funeral director wonders if there’s really any financial benefit to offering “green” services.  Read more in Dan’s response to Prius Hearse Driver.