Industry

CBS has committed to film a pilot for a new TV show that may hit closer to home than you ever thought a comedy could.

Our nation’s funeral directors and embalmers, commonly referred to as “last responders,” have been fighting the pandemic on the front lines, risking their lives every day as they serve families.

2020 was the year of drinking out of the fire hose. Like many of you, we experienced a phenomenal surge in call volume. Was it COVID, possibly the aging of the Baby Boomers, or maybe just the law of large numbers? Whatever it was, 2020 seemed like a scramble from beginning to end.

Rick Carrillo recently spoke with Marilyn Jones Gould, president of MKJ Marketing, to share his experiences as a first-generation funeral director and why serving his community has always been his dream.

I was able to apply as a “co-applicant” on behalf of several clients who had suffered a loss due to COVID and below is a synopsis of my experience so you can know what to expect in the process of applying and timeline for receiving a check.

With over 40 years of consolidation, many independent funeral businesses find themselves with a collection of brand names. Certainly, when making an acquisition, the inclination is to keep the acquired firm’s name — after all they were a successful business, and you paid a lot for it, so why make a change that could undermine the firm’s reputation in the community?

Gabby Petito is a name everyone across the country — and the world — became familiar with after the 22-year-old disappeared during a cross-country van trip with her fiancé.

The introduction and growing popularity of e-commerce cremation arrangements have raised the question and discussion of cannibalization within the funeral profession. Many are wondering: “Will families that would have paid the funeral home’s traditional pricing for cremation opt instead for their online offering?”

Since April 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has shelled out over $278 million to families for funeral costs related to COVID-19 deaths.

More than anyone, those in funeral care understand how beneficial it is to pay tribute when a friend or family member dies. That’s why it’s important to have ideas on hand for families so they can begin the grieving process when normal rituals aren’t possible.