September 25, 2019
Published by 
Dan Isard on September 25, 2019
Dan Isard on September 25, 2019Being a funeral home owner is as much about being a human resources manager as it is about being a funeral director. By Daniel M. Isard Human Resources Running a funeral home is either a business or a job. Which one depends on three factors: • Is your name on the sign and does the bank have a large loan with your signature? • Is your name on the sign and does the bank have a large loan with your family member’s signature? • Are you earning a wage for working? By my estimate, there are 19,000 funeral homes across the country, of which 15,000 are owned by about 10,000 individuals. If you are one of those 10,000, you are either living in a small town upstairs from your office and doing most everything yourself or you are a larger […]
September 25, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 25, 2019
Dan Isard on September 25, 2019Best in Class “Foresight Funding” harnesses the power of competitive bidding Phoenix, AZ— September 19, 2019 — The Foresight Companies has elevated funeral service lending to a new level by gaining exclusive access to a national financing platform that will match our client’s needs with hundreds of lenders. Dan Isard, Managing Partner of The Foresight Companies, LLC., one of the foremost consulting companies serving the funeral and cemetery professions announced today, “The Foresight Companies has revolutionized lending for deathcare. In the next decade, well in excess of $5 billion of funeral and cemetery ownership will changes hands. This is going to affect the stewardship of thousands of owner families. This potentially secures the employment of a significant number of full and part time people, licensed and unlicensed.” Isard said that The Foresight Companies have developed a process for private individuals […]
September 12, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 12, 2019
Dan Isard on September 12, 2019The Foresight Companies, LLC and The Roosevelt Investment Group, Inc. are aligning with Golden Considerations, Inc. Phoenix, AZ; New York, NY and Harrisburg, PA— September 12 — Dan Isard, Managing Partner of The Foresight Companies and Adam Sheer, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Roosevelt Investments, announce their Foresight Roosevelt Wealth Management collaboration is aligning with Golden Considerations, Inc. “Adam, Bob and I understand that first and foremost we are in the relationship business. Throughout our individual careers we have created beneficial relationships with thousands of funeral homes and cemeteries. Now, we are providing a collaborative benefit to those clients with our new relationship,” Isard stated. “We are rolling out a specialized support system to allow our clients to take advantage of a proactive plan that offers a holistic preneed and trust plan coupled with long-term financial management and finance tools. The […]
September 6, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 6, 2019
Dan Isard on September 6, 2019A solid, written business plan that is reviewed quarterly is mandatory if you own a funeral business. Here’s what should be in it. Why? Why did you choose to be funeral professionals? And why did some of you choose to manage a funeral business and others to own and manage a funeral business? To the last question, I hear some candid and honest answers: • It’s my family business; I was cast into this position. • It’s the only thing I could see myself doing; I’ve been working here since I was a kid. • I didn’t know I had a choice. Well, whether you guilted yourself into this profession, were born into it or exercised your free will, you are here. Therefore, the question is no longer “Why?” but “How can I do this job better, manage this […]
September 6, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 6, 2019
Dan Isard on September 6, 2019A Consumer Awareness and Preferences Survey commentary By Daniel M. Isard I will begin my commentary with a quote from Alphonse Karr, which was stolen by George Bernard Shaw, who said, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” As I pore over the 2019 NFDA consumer survey and compare and contrast it with my memory of earlier versions, I’m amazed and saddened by what I see. Allow me to shed light on five more illuminating and condemning issues amplified this year. Before I start, the pollsters are very clear that this survey reflects a younger age than previous surveys. About 36.1% of respondents are between 40 and 54. Is this important? Keep in mind that almost 80% of all deaths take place after age 65, with the average life expectancy in this country being 78.7 years. That […]