March 28, 2025
Published by 
Luke Potter on March 28, 2025
Luke Potter on March 28, 2025The global nature of today’s economy means that tariffs, or taxes imposed on imported goods, can have far-reaching implications—including within the funeral profession. While many funeral homes may not feel the immediate impact of tariffs, it is essential to remain vigilant and prepared for potential ripple effects on business operations and the merchandise clients depend on. Staying informed and proactive can help professionals navigate these challenges while maintaining the quality-of-service families expect. How Tariffs Impact Merchandise One of the most direct effects of tariffs lies in the cost of funeral merchandise. Many caskets sold in the U.S., for example, are manufactured in countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. If tariffs are imposed on these imports, the increased costs could trickle down to funeral homes and their clients. For instance, a 25% tariff on a $1,000 imported casket adds $250 […]
March 28, 2025
Published by 
Welton Hong on March 28, 2025
Welton Hong on March 28, 2025Written by Welton Hong, Ring Ring Marketing Nike, Apple and Coca-Cola are just a few companies with a brand so recognizable that a large majority can draw their logo from memory, recite their slogan or (at the very least) name a few products they sell. While not on such a grand scale, of course, my guess is you’ve put some effort into giving your funeral home a brand, too. You’ve got a logo, website, mission statement and maybe even a color palette. But how much effort have you put into your own brand? Before you write it off, personal branding isn’t about self-promotion—and it isn’t just for celebrities or social media influencers. As a funeral director, you’re the face of your funeral home. And for you, a personal brand is about developing trust, credibility and a genuine connection with the […]
March 28, 2025
Published by 
Chris Cruger on March 28, 2025
Chris Cruger on March 28, 2025Embracing innovation while honoring tradition. The funeral service and cemetery professions have always stood at the intersection of tradition and adaptation. From the beginning, their focus has been on providing comfort, care and dignity to families during highly challenging times. Despite this heritage, however, funeral service is similar to other professions and therefore not immune to the rapid advancement of technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) has found applications across various sectors already, and it is now making its way into funeral home and cemetery operations. When I was first approached about the AI concept for funeral service four or five years ago, I confess I didn’t see the fit. I was wrong, however, and now see that AI is transforming the profession. In order to come to that realization, however, I had to understand how such a deeply human-centered vocation – […]
February 27, 2025
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on February 27, 2025
Nicole Vullo on February 27, 2025Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand. Everyone does. But let’s clear up a common misconception: personal branding is not about self-promotion, bragging, or flexing. Instead, your brand is your reputation—it’s how you are perceived by your friends, family, colleagues, and, most importantly, the people you serve. Every interaction—whether in person, digital, or over the phone—contributes to your personal brand. So, let’s dive into what personal branding truly is and why it matters. Your Brand Is More Than Just Aesthetic Your personal brand is not a product, a logo, or a cool photo. While these elements can enhance your brand, they are simply accessories—visual cues that help people remember you. For example, my personal style includes red nails, wearing black, floral prints, and sometimes a combination of both! But beyond these elements, my brand is […]
February 27, 2025
Published by Welton Hong on February 27, 2025
Welton Hong on February 27, 2025Written by Welton Hong, Ring Ring Marketing Artificial intelligence (AI) is likely already part of your daily life—whether through curated playlists on Spotify or Pandora, those Netflix recommendations that are seemingly spot on or the smart assistant you ask to turn on the kitchen light when you get home from work. So while AI might still sound futuristic—something out of a sci-fi novel rather than a tool for everyday business—the truth is, AI has been around for a while and is presently shaping many industries. Deathcare is headed that direction, too. But in funeral service, its role must be handled with care. AI can certainly assist, but definitely not replace human empathy. So, my advice if you decide to integrate it in any way is to ensure it operates under human oversight, maintains data privacy and is transparently communicated to […]
February 27, 2025
Published by 
Axel Jean-Francois on February 27, 2025
Axel Jean-Francois on February 27, 2025Let’s cut to the chase: Ignoring the Fed right now is like pretending it’s still 2019—and that’s a fast track to trouble. Interest rates are higher than they’ve been in 23 years, inflation is cooling off slower than we’d like, and your staff could bail for better hours at Amazon if you blink wrong. Sound dramatic? Maybe. But for funeral home owners, it’s the new normal. A Quick Reality Check: Ryan’s Dilemma Take Ryan in Louisiana. Back when COVID-19 cases were sky-high and interest rates were rock-bottom, he invested in a beautiful new facility to better serve his community. Fast-forward to 2025: calls have dropped from the pandemic levels, and his adjustable loan rate keeps inching up. Now that once-profitable expansion is weighing him down—monthly payments ballooned, and Ryan’s scraping for every dollar just to break even. That’s exactly why […]
January 28, 2025
Published by 
Jarod Bernat on January 28, 2025
Jarod Bernat on January 28, 2025It is hard to overstate how monumentally important selling a business is to a business owner. In most cases, 80% of a business owner’s entire net worth rests solely within the business itself. And other than selling a home, this is likely the largest liquidity event of a business owner’s life. These financial implications, along with the multitude of other factors that go into deciding to eventually sell a business, make it easy to understand why business owners seek expert guidance to help them navigate these situations. But most importantly, it is crucial to keep all your advisors on the same page so they can collaboratively guide you towards the best possible outcome. A couple of years ago, Foresight experienced a situation where a funeral home owner consulted multiple experts to assist with the sale of their business. However, since […]
January 28, 2025
Published by 
Matt Blackwell on January 28, 2025
Matt Blackwell on January 28, 2025Selling a business is both a significant milestone and a complex endeavor. One recent case involved the sale of a family-owned business and offered valuable insights for owners preparing to sell. The challenges faced during this process revealed three crucial lessons every business owner should keep in mind to achieve a successful transaction. Establish Clear and Realistic Expectations One of the biggest hurdles in this case stemmed from unrealistic expectations about the business’s value. The owners’ valuation, heavily influenced by external comparisons, far exceeded what the market deemed reasonable. This misalignment led to initial frustration and delays in negotiations. What Owners Can Learn: Understanding the factors that influence a business’s valuation is critical. Relying on sentimental value or unsubstantiated comparisons can lead to disappointment. Instead, work with experts to gain a realistic perspective grounded in market trends, operational metrics, and […]
January 28, 2025
Published by 
Taylor Weber on January 28, 2025
Taylor Weber on January 28, 2025As we step into 2025, funeral home owners should focus on proactive adaptation rather than just market monitoring. Last year, we emphasized the importance of tracking market share to understand where your business stands. This year, it’s about using that data to make strategic moves. Here’s a focused checklist to help position your funeral home for success. Your 2025 Readiness Checklist Strengthen Financial Health Optimize your budget by going beyond a basic budget—review your cash flow plan, pricing strategy, and cost structure that align with rising expenses and market shifts. Strategic pricing adjustments ensure your pricing aligns with market trends and your profitability goals, especially if service costs are increasing. Strengthen your cash flow by actively reviewing outstanding balances and enforcing clear payment policies to reduce receivables. Enhance Family Experience & Service Personalization Families expect more personalized services. Focus on […]
January 28, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on January 28, 2025
Nicole Vullo on January 28, 2025Written by the Team at Family Shield Credit As many funeral home owners and directors would agree, sometimes it can be hard to talk about payment with families during an arrangement. Because of this, funeral homes often times will perform a service and then look to collect payment afterwards. Next things next, your accounts receivables start to pile up and now you are spending more time on collections than you are focused on running your business and meeting with families. If this sounds like a familiar problem, it might be time to look for another solution to help. Family Shield Credit has made strides to address this very problem, and while they have only been around for just 3 years, they have already helped over 500 funeral homes across 24 states. By offering affordable loan options to families ranging from […]
January 28, 2025
Published by Nicole Vullo on January 28, 2025
Nicole Vullo on January 28, 2025Written by Wendy Russell Wiener, Managing Member, WRW Legal, PLLC During December, my law practice assisted clients with seven difference instances of “We _____ed the wrong body!” In some of those cases, the blank was filled with “cremated”, in others with “interred”, in another with “delivered”. And, yes, I said SEVEN in one month. You might be thinking, “Wendy, just what type of clients do you have?!” But, I assure you my clients are the best in our industry and profession. What did every single one of the incidents have in common? Simple failure to pay attention. That’s it. In every case, a human failed to properly identify the decedent that they were retrieving from refrigeration and took the decedent they retrieved, which was the wrong decedent, to their final disposition or in one case to the wrong destination. So, […]
January 28, 2025
Published by Chris Cruger on January 28, 2025
Chris Cruger on January 28, 2025As Foresight’s annual Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study has revealed for the past five consecutive years, competition is intensifying and technology is reshaping how funeral and cemetery professionals connect with clients as consumer preferences and expectations evolve. To not just survive but to thrive in this dynamic environment, funeral homes need a robust strategy built on three fundamental pillars: self-awareness, a proactive business plan and a strong, supportive culture. These elements are inextricably linked; together, they create a synergistic approach to success. The Power of Self-awareness Success begins with a multifaceted understanding. In the funeral home context, this requires a keen awareness of three critical areas: yourself, your business and your community. Self-Awareness: The capacity to understand your own emotions, thoughts and behaviors is paramount for effective leadership. For funeral home owners and managers, this translates into a realistic […]