5 Mistakes I Made Running My Funeral Home (And How You Can Avoid Them)

mistakes-funeral-home

Who knew that this blog post would be such an exercise in self-reflection?  

It’s weird to calm my brain down for a few minutes and pause to think about mistakes and mis-steps I’ve made since the inception of my business, Grace Funeral & Cremation Services,  in June of 2009.  

I spend so much time in the day-to-day operations of the business that there’s little time to look back at the last five years and determine what – if anything – went wrong, and where it did.  But I’m all about moving on, and not looking back and wallowing in the past.  With that said, here are the highlights:

Lesson #1: It’s hard to say “no”

As a profession, funeral directors are generally people pleasers.  We want to make people happy, or as happy as they can be in the difficult situations they come to us with.  It took a while for me to realize that I am not going to make everyone happy.  There are times when people have demands that just aren’t feasible.  We can’t provide a traditional, full-service funeral for the price of a simple cremation.  We can’t extend payment terms to consumers that don’t have the financial means to pay for their services.  We can, however, refer them to local lenders, and help them plan a service that meets their financial means.  There are times when “no” is the only answer possible.    

There are policies in place that help the business succeed in the long run.  There’s always going to be someone, whether it’s a hospice social worker, a grieving family member, or a local charity who will ask for a free funeral, reduced price, payment plan or charitable donation that we aren’t willing to offer.  I’ve learned that saying no is hard initially. However, having clearly defined expectations and policies that benefit all the families we serve fairly are good for the business and the families.

Lesson #2: My time has value

When we opened our doors in 2009, we were inundated with every media salesperson, insurance representative, multi-level marketing person, and office supply company within 100 miles of our business.  It’s a great idea to be friendly and respectful but a poor idea to agree to an appointment with everyone that wants 30 minutes of my time.   I learned quickly that my time could be easily squandered if I didn’t learn to say no, with emphasis.  I also learned the hard way that it’s really easy to get overcommitted and over extended.  In an effort to meet as many people as possible, to make connections and to grow our business, I committed to networking groups and committees that I didn’t really have the time to give enough focus to. In the end, I realized that over-committing myself would end in a negative way – if not for me, for my friends, my families, and my own family.

Lesson #3: Spend money on things that make life easier

My husband (the co-owner of our funeral home) and I wanted to borrow as little money as possible in order to open our doors.  So, we decided not to purchase some things that we really wanted, but didn’t necessarily need.  We opted not to purchase a software program designed specifically for funeral service, scaled back the number of dressing tables, the upgraded body lift, and we hauled flowers one at a time rather than investing in flower trays.  But as the volume of our business grew, it made sense to invest the money in products that would make the day-to-day operation of our business more efficient and easier for us.  Looking back, I wish I had splurged on the operating software from the outset, which is a mistake I won’t make again as our business grows.  

Lesson #4 : Make the right connections

We’ve formed initial relationships with more pre-need companies than I care to remember.  It took five years and a random Google search to find a company that is a great match for our funeral home. And when we did, I was so happy that I didn’t have to settle for mediocrity anymore.  By making the right connections, we were able to find a company that shares our approach to the families we serve, provides phenomenal marketing advice and really seems to genuinely care about our ability to grow our business.  On a side note, our sales representative actually answers her phone when we call, and is always providing consistent help.  I can say with confidence that by focusing on these connections, we finally have the training and resources that we need to build our advanced planning program.   

Lesson #5: Don’t waste mind space on petty people

People are complicated.  Some people didn’t get hugged by their parents enough.  We shot a lovely commercial with customer testimonials, which had a small grammatical error.  We were oblivious to the error for months, until it was kindly pointed out to us in a series of emails from several people in our community.  The retired librarian was kind. The other folks…not so much.  Apparently, during the Olympics, I single handedly ruined a man’s patriotic experience of watching the games and was called a moron to boot.

There’s another story I like to tell about petty people that occurred when we first opened our funeral home. Contrary to popular belief, if you open a funeral home in a community where there are already 20 or so other funeral homes, many other providers in the area will not welcome you with a gift basket, a red carpet and a hug.  They will, however, drive their Cadillac through the parking lot, scowl, peer in your windows, loudly curse, and send unsigned hate mail.  The boldest ones will stop in, often with a recently hired employee in tow and tell you, to your face that your business will be a monstrous failure and that no one will ever choose to utilize your services.  Touché.  

I’ve been guilty of allowing negative people and comments to filter into my mind space; it’s even easier since we’ve made it to our five year milestone.  It’s important to roll with the punches, and let go what can’t be controlled.

Mistakes are the greatest teachers

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

George Bernard Shaw

Although I’ve made a fair amount of mistakes during my first five years as a funeral home owner, I’ve learned that it’s important to allow them to teach you. Not only have these missteps taught me, but they’ve also allowed me to grow as a person and a business owner.  I’m sure that I’ll make my share of mistakes in the future, and I look forward to the insight that the next five years of running my funeral home will bring.   


What mistakes did you make during your first years as a funeral home owner? Tell us in the comments below!


kristan-mcnamesABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kristan I. McNames, CFSP, graduated with a Bachelor Degree from the Mortuary Science and Funeral Service Program at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. After working for two corporate funeral providers, most recently as the General Manager; she decided to open her own funeral home in June of 2009, with her husband Bob McNames. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is located in Rockford, Illinois, and has served over 240  families since opening.

 

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  1. Ron Harper

    Finally, someone who is real and tells it like it is. From a leadership/management perspective this is valuable information especially relating to the competition aspect. It’s hard to do a start up business without first talking about needs and wants but it seems like you’ve handled that pretty well. Nice job!

  2. Paul Decker

    We are 9 months into our first year of taking over a small rural funeral home in upstate NY, your are absolutely spot on, especially with the software, thank goodness we have had a few successful months and have been able to afford adding a software program to our tool chest. Thanks for the insight into your first year.

    I have been lucky to have two friends purchase funeral homes around the same time as I have and we have been able to share our successes and mistakes with each other over the past few months.

    Thanks again

    Paul Decker
    Hall & Peet Funeral Home
    Delhi, NY

  3. Len Cabana

    Very glad to see you stood up and are on the right way to become recognised.
    Trust of your families yhat you servr are the answer to your success.
    Bravo…

    Len Cabana Director

  4. Tom Sproles

    Great post Kristan! I started our funeral home in 2006 and can identify with your experiences. Wishing you continued success! Tom

  5. worth cremation services

    Nice article also visit for Affordable Cremation service in Florida
    http://worthcremationservice.com/

  6. Eric Daniels

    Thank you so much for your insight and the courage to openly admit your mistakes so people like me can grow. I am currently trying hard to open my own now after 20 years of being and FD and Manager for a corp as well. Is it possible for my wife or I to call you and pick your brain? I know you are busy, but just in case, my wife, Denise can be reached at [EDITED] and I can be reached at [EDITED]. I don’t assume you will call, I only give our #’s so as not to bother you if you don’t want to wish to be called. I am passionate and ready, just trying get the funding. I published a book in 2004 titled, “The Greatest People I Never Knew”. Thanks again, and hope to be able to speak with you.

  7. Rilee Chastain

    Eric, thanks so much for your message! We have passed it along to Kristan 🙂

  8. Clifford

    I am currently in the process of taking over a funeral service in Detroit Michigan. I am not familiar with how to run and operate one, but I know how to utilize my resources. I would love to start a networking system with any and all who would be interested in sharing their negatives and positives about the business.

  9. John

    A really good article and well written
    I’m UK based, working for a company I don’t like and toying with starting up on my own.
    I’m late 40s and it is daunting, so it’s good to read these sort of accounts

  10. Jerome

    Very beneficial reading. Have experience as a youth but such awhile ago. Would love to network.

  11. Chris Houston

    what is or was your startup cost and I seen you have a degree in the field is a degree or working for funeral home necessary to start up

  12. Angie

    I am curious what your grammatical error was during the olympic games? Just have to ask.

  13. CHARLES J.JORDAN

    i’m getting ready to start school in January 2016 I’ve been working in the funeral home business for over 13 years .I have seen the good and the bad, with families and FD’s, its a shame how most seasoned FD’s don’t want to welcome you in the business. I just hope and pray that I can find some FD’s that would love to share info. without thinking I want their business,i have my own ideas and style.

  14. Michelle Blash

    Hello. I am seriously interested in looking into starting this business. I have the perfect location and there is a need. My dad passed away @9 years ago and when it came time to select a funeral parlor near our home there were, surprisingly, very little options. In all this time, absolutely nothing has changed. I live in an community where there are many large family homes and retirement communities. I really think this would be a successful business.

    There’s just one small problem–actually it’s huge! Neither my husband or I have any experience with this type of business at all. I am an accountant and he is a salesman.

    I would love to know your thoughts.

    Thank you.
    Michelle

  15. Bonnie Price

    I am interested in opening a funeral home business. Do I need a specific charts of accounts for a funeral home? If so, would you send me an example of one. Thank you for posting the article.

  16. chris bartolone

    I worked part-time for a large funeral home here in Milwaukee. I really enjoyed the feeling of helping others. I have thrown around the idea of opening my own place for a number of years. I would love to pick your brain at some point.

  17. Rhea

    I really enjoyed this advice!

  18. Rilee Chastain

    Thanks for the comment, Rhea! We’re so happy you enjoyed the post!

  19. Debra

    This blog gives me hope as a female funeral director. I would also like to get information or maybe you could do another blog, seeing as there are quite a few of us that want to pick your brain. Again very informative, and definitely interesting.

  20. Rilee Chastain

    Hi Debra! Thanks so much for your comment. We would be happy to share more tips for managing a successful funeral home. Is there any topic in particular you would like to learn more about? Thanks for your kind feedback!

  21. Lesa

    I have recently sent out resumes to several funeral homes for a funeral director’s apprenticeship. I want to own and operate a funeral parlor close to my neighborhood. The decision to change careers is due to experiences good and bad with recent deaths of family members and a close mentor. I believe in my heart I have found my calling.
    Would some if not all of you share any advice for me as far as start up cost and do’s and dont’s, funding?

  22. Richard Chege

    I would like to do the same in my country. I am in kenya which is in east africa. I will get a list of questions and as you said on lesson 2 “your time has value” i will make it short and precise. i would like to try to make is affordable to rest your loved ones in dignity. we primarily bury people in kenya.there are not a lot of cremations as the kenyan-indians handle their own funerals. is this something you will be interested to advice on?

  23. Ben M

    For anyone asking about the start up cost – just conservatively guessing.

    In the outskirts of Cleveland Ohio (dirt cheap housing) a nice home is gonna cost 200k.
    Add yearly taxes, gas bill, electric, garbage etc. For the year

    A brand new caddilac hurst – just gonna guess a number. 80-100k

    Quality Caskets, earns, embalming equipment, Etc etc etc

    Just a really conservative start up guess in poor old Cleveland Ohio, half a million clams.

  24. Tiffany

    This was a very interesting read! Thank you so much! I’m planning on going to school for funeral directing and embalming and I want to open up my own funeral home one day.

    Thank you for sharing!

  25. Raynell Record

    Thank you, I’m interested in opening up a funeral home in my area. It’s not very many at all. I have 16 years exp as a CPA but currently my husband and I both team drive a big rig across country. I’ve always shown interest in this field and I’ve actually been the go to person for my family and friends when it’s time to plan. I totally understand death and think it’s very important for the family to know this when making final arrangements. I was looking into different programs and schools do you have any recommendations? I figured I would handle the embalming and the administration. Do that sound like it’s to much for 1 person to handle? My husband is very supportive of my idea but not to interested in the actual hands on, lol… I’m sure in time he will adjust.

  26. Jordan H

    Hi Kristan,

    Thank you so much for your insights. If you have a moment, I would love to connect with you via phone or email for more insights on this process. I appreciate you taking the time and look forward to hearing from you. My email [email protected] thanks again!

  27. Maisana Tebatso and Mamogobo Ophney

    I Maisana and Mamogobo we want to start a funeral home and we have big plans for the business but the problem is we are still student at a secondary school and we are in Grade 11 so we have problem with finance but we need all the help we can gets so that we can start the business.Our contact is 0823458452 Maisana and Mamogobo 0768213452.

  28. Esme Fourie

    Hi my name is Esme, and I live in a very small town in the Upper Karoo in the Northern Cape. I would like to start my own funeral home I have the experience and qualifications in managing a bussiness, but I need funding to start a businees.Can anyone please assist me in fnding funding,sponsorships or donors

  29. jeannette ortiz

    Im in a minority area of new rochelle , ny currently theres no network between hispanics and a caring funeral director, im looking at opening my own business to target all markets in the funeral industry. Could you share any ideas that could enhance this dream, i too am hispanic lic funeral dir..having the hardest time finding a firm and im also willing to work as an admin as i am lic in IT…please let me know im on every job site, linked in, and sci .JO

  30. Monica

    Hi Clifford, curious how did the first couple years go after buying into a funeral Home?

  31. Ophney

    I need help for starting a funeral please help me.

  32. Derek Horner

    I enjoyed reading your article. My brother and I actually own Unger-Horner in Rochelle. My father and I stopped in to visit you when you first opened. Not in a negative way. It was just interesting to see your business starting from scratch. Honestly, your far enough away from us we do not consider you competition. We just had to check out your business. I am guessing you wouldn’t remember us and thats just fine. I could tell the minuet we meet you, that you and your husband were passionate about the funeral industry. I hope you still are filled with that desire to serve and can continue to help people in need. I just had to comment since I randomly read your article off of a yahoo search and found that I knew who you were in the end.

  33. Kristan McNames

    Thanks for commenting! I do remember your visit with your dad. It’s been a fun ride so far. We do love funeral service and are continually blessed by the families who choose our funeral home. Wishing you and your family continued success.

  34. St Peter

    I got the idea on how to manage and run a funeral home. This is a new information for me. Really cool!

  35. Margaret Annette Nelson

    Kristian

    I’m thinking about starting a Funeral Home Business in my area. I don’t have any education in the area, but thinking about it. I have this problem with being jittery and nervous about it even though it’s something I want to do to help people. I’n 67 years of age, in good health, and a christian minister and singer. It’ s hard for me to find someone to work with me, everybody seem to be only for themselves. What advice can you offer for the nervous and jittery feelings. I live in Lakeland, Fl

    Sincerely

    Margaret Nelson

  36. F. knight

    Hi.
    I am so inspired by your post. I currently work with seniors and enjoy every aspect of aging. I am interested in opening up a furneral business myself. Just pray the best for you and hope you can accomplish your goal!

  37. Charles Hardy Jr

    Nice commentary. We experienced some of the aforementioned such as; our business would only do 2 cases/ month for the first two years and that we were “making the waters muddy by opening up.” Needless to say, we opened and did 70+ every year. Last year we did 127 calls. Stay focused on your business plan, find your niche in the community and service by service people who did not know that real professionalism and very nice facilities exist; they will after being at your service. We now are writing about 500k in insurance and pre-need per year now. I’ve been flirting with the funeral home software for about 8mos now. We just lost our office manager Thursday so I am seriously looking to get one ASAP. Any suggestions on which may be more beneficial than others?

    hardyfuneralhomeinc.com

  38. Mike Hendricks

    Wow this sounded so similar to my experience starting a funeral home!
    I noticed you didn’t mention some of the costs, such as insurance and rent. Here’s a resource for getting the proper funeral home insurance coverage here: https://www.balsigerinsurance.com/funeral-home-insurance/

    Mike Hendricks
    Funeral Home Owner
    Reno, Nevada

  39. Lorraine

    John

    How did you get on?

  40. Victor Nelson

    Thank you for the eye opening lessons you shared. I also opened in 2009 and experienced similar situations. The taunting and ridicule from other local firms was unbelievable to say the least. Also, I’ve definitely learned that you can’t please everyone nor give everything away in trying to do so. Once again, thank you.

  41. funeralOne

    Hi Victor! Thanks so much for the note. It’s always disappointing to hear when other local businesses don’t support (or at the very least, respect) one another. Who has time for all of that negative energy anyway?! We’re glad you stayed strong!

  42. John Eddie Dane

    I’m thinking about starting a pet cematary with my youngest daughter, primarily because she has had many animals die in her care and it always breaks my heart the animals just go to the “pile” like trash. There’s no pet cematary anywhere near and I have no idea what the first step or if there are hundreds or thousands of steps I need to take to start. Also, what would someone estimate the costs to start and operate a cemetary and do I/we need specialized training. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    John Dane
    620-640-0501

  43. Angela Morris

    I am in the embryo stage of developing my Funeral Services Business. this helped me a lot.

  44. Henry White

    I was raised in the funeral professional by my uncle whom was the most honst funeral director that ever was.He was straight to the point with familys and he didn’t believe in selling a casket for he would take them in the show room and explain the different kinds and etc then he would walk out and when they made their decisionthey woud bring him the card of the casket.He said by doing this most family would buy better merchandise than you would have thought they would have.He had a strong belief that when a young couple lost one their children under the age of 3yrs he would do the complete servicefor free just for mainly the Public relations this would most of the time bring other familys that had never had to use our services but we had a great reputation until he made a mstake and sold out to S.C.I. Them I quit the same day and moved to another rstate and continued my career in the funeral business as a trade Restorative Artist and Embalmer in Arkansas.

  45. Łukacz Rzepczynski

    Forst, allow me to emphasize that my question and comment are not meant to be rude at all an no offense is intended. I notice that you have served 240 families in 5 years. That is a paltry 4 services per month. I’m not surprised you say no to charitable or indigent funerals. Absorbing the costs of those would be devastating. Either your overhead must be ridiculously low or your markup must be exceedingly high. I couldn’t afford to keep my doors open with only 4 services per month.
    Next, I have noticed that many blogs written by FDs contain an enormous amount of spelling and grammatical errors (your blog is spot on and perfectly written). Why is that? I don’t notice that in other professions. Actually, when my father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, etc. all passed I distinctly remember having to correct the grammar of the FD on the paperwork. Once I just took the entire standard obituary document the FD used for years and rewrote it. It was as if a 3rd grader wrote it. If my relative hadn’t chosen that FH, I would have walked out. That’s inexcusable. Any insights as to why?

  46. Łukacz Rzepczynski

    I cannot believe that I commented on spelling and grammar and I misspelled the very first word I typed. Well, I answered my own question. Oops!

  47. Robert C. Coleman Sr.

    As A beginning mortuary science student with a set forth goal to become a owner of a funeral home. This info really helped me alot.my father started in the industry @ 16 & I had my share experience of working in funeral homes as well. My plan is to be the start of a legacy for our own family business. Again this info to me was Awesome!.. thanks.

  48. Makala Parker

    Planning on opening my own funeral business. I’ve been researching everything I need to know and came across this article. I am so glad I did! Thank you for posting this! Wishing you many years of growth and positive experiences in this business.

  49. Rilee Chastain

    Thanks Robert! We’re glad to help, and wish you the best on your journey!

  50. Rilee Chastain

    Thanks so much Angela, we’d love to hear more about your business!

  51. Richard Wallace

    Me and my wife are also planning to open our own funeral home. Perhaps we. Hold. Hat sometime? Rick and Amy Wallace

  52. Krystal Penrose

    Those are very good questions Lukacz, and as the editor of the blog I can ensure that we had something to do with the editing of the blog, before it gets published. We make sure all blogs have little to no grammatical errors. We’re not sure as to why it may seem that many FD’s have spelling errors, but maybe this is something that needs to be taught more in school – obit writing 101!

  53. HENRY WHITE

    I WOULD MOST DEFENTLY NOT PURCHASE A HEARSE UNLESS THEIR IS NOT A GOOF FUNERAL LIVERY SERVICE IN YOUR AREA.IF YOU HAVCE TO BUY A HEASE AT LEAST GET ONE WITH LOW MILES AND THE PRICE IS WHERE YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY IT OFF IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME,FOR OTHER WISE THE EXPENSE CAN GET YOU BIG TIME.i WOULD NOT HAVE TOO MANY CASKETS IN THE SHOW ROOM,JUST SHOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT THAT A GOOD SELLERS FOR YOU FIRM.IF YOU CAN USE A MANY RETIRD PEOPLE AND PAY THEN WELL THIS WILL HELP IN YOUR OVERHEAD EXPENSES.FOR INSTANCE PAY THEM WITH A 1099 BY PAYING THEM CASH.HAVING A NICE FIRST CALL VECHILE WILL SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOUR AND YOUR FIRM.HAVE YOU NAME PLATES IN EITHER SCRIPT OR OLD ENGLISH LETTERS LOOKS MORE PROFESSIONAL.

  54. BRIAN

    what are peoples thoughts on a person purchasing a funeral home, and hiring an embalmer etc… since I do not have a degree in MS ?

  55. Krystal Penrose

    Good question Brian! I would Tweet this question with the hashtag #funeralnews

  56. Henry White

    fIRST OFF I WOULD ONLY SHOW THOSE CASKETS THAT ARE FAIRLY FAST MOVERS,AND i POSSIBLE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL rEMOVAL SERVICE MEET YOU AT EACH AND EVERY FIRST CALL,uSE A lIVERY SERVICE FOR YOU HEARSE NEEDS WHEN YOU NEED IT RATHER THAN TIE UP YOUR FUNDS.iF POSSIBLE BE A LITTLE MORE CORDIABLE WITH EACH FAMILY AS THO THEY WERE YOUR OWN RELATIONS.REMEMBER THEY ARE PAYING YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES THAT THEY ASK FOR,iF YOU CAN DO IT HAVE A MEAL OF SOMETYPE SENT TO THE FAMILYS RESIDENCE FOR THEM TO EAT AFTER THEIR SERVICES ARE COMPLETED AT THE CEMETERY.IT MAY COST A LITTLE BUT IT WILL SMOOTH OVER ANY BAD PROBLEMS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURED.
    TRY YOUR BEST TO GET AWAY FROM USING A BLACK VECHILE FLEET FOR THEIR IS NOTHING WORST THAT BEING BEHIND A BLACK HEARSE COING TO THE CEMETERY.IF POSSIBLE CALL ME AND I CAN EXPLAIN THINGS SOME WHAT BETTER.

  57. Natalia A Lamas

    could you tell me which operating system you chose? I am in the process of opening my funeral home and I could use some guidance…

  58. Shakeva Blanf

    I’m new to this . It’s a passion I’m having and would love to start my own business. If anyone could help me. It would be greatly appreciated!

  59. Krystal Penrose

    Shakeva, there are so many awesome resources! We would suggest start by getting a mentor in the industry, ideally close to you geographically, but don’t limit yourself!

  60. Dorothy Lowry

    Thanks so much for your candid thoughts Kristan. My daughter is preparing to enter a funeral service program and we’re looking for as much information about the business side of things as possible. Your post is really helpful and most appreciated.

  61. Olivia Rocha

    Hello,

    I am currently a student seriously considering the idea of becoming a funeral director with the intention of opening my own funeral home after gaining necessary experience. I am looking for guidance on what tools I should equip myself with in order to be successful in this industry. What did you do to open your own successful funeral home? Is there advice you can give me on how I could open a successful business? Will it be sustainable and profitable? My hope is to open a mostly family run business in a suburban/rural setting. I am eager to hear your thoughts and any tips you could provide an aspiring student. Thank you, Olivia.

  62. Krystal Penrose

    Hi Olivia, thanks for your eagerness! I hope Kristen or any other funeral pros who wish to offer their guidance are able to support you! Good luck!

  63. Krystal Penrose

    Thanks for your comment Dorothy!

  64. francis

    thank you for the tips, I ,m so glad to hear ,that im not the only one finding tsi mistakes.

    God bless you.

  65. wanda R bolar

    Hello my name is Wanda Bo’Lar and i’m very interested and opening a funeral home i need all the help and all ideals. Wanting to help people and show my kinds Love all people’s this is my passion, this is a career you don’t wake up and say im going to be a funeral director this career is a calling from the heavily father.

  66. Japsie Biongan

    Hi Kristan and every one, need help here.
    Thank you for your blog.the reason why I stumbled on this because I planned to have a funeral business too. Don’t know where to start. I have the idea to do this business and bought first the funeral car. Yes its second hand 20 year old. Praying not to stop during the funeral service. Now is the next step don’t know how to gather some more additional amount to rent the place and accessories during the service. Usually Philippines remote island. Pandemic make me stuck in one place no to fly back to work. So might can ask help here to start small funeral business. My apologies if this short message bothers the readers a lot.Just need to start this if someone can help for the beginners like me in for the first step.

  67. Henry White

    I sent you some information about the does and the don’t a couple of years back and i how the information
    that i sent you was helpful in inproving you business.I am not in the Funeral Business any longer but thst was my choicing,I am very seriously comaidering opening up a Funeral Livery service here for the Corporate place are just treating the familys like they are completely stupid.My idea is to give the firms who choise to us me will find out in the long er that they will save them selves from the bad mistakes and come out the winners in the long run..I see it all the time where some people who have no ideals of just how to run a funeral home are loosing their own shirts and its all because of not taking time to smell the rose and leave the carnation alone.I am very happy that you are becomming more of a Professinal that you were in the past. I remain Henry White [email protected]

  68. Ramnarine Maharaj

    I started a funeral home one year ago and business is slow, in my country as about seventy four (74) other businesses. I have four (4) sales people place at different morgue, but deceased familial still going to more established home. Our funds are low to do much advertisment

  69. Krystal Penrose

    Thanks for sharing your experience!

  70. Kassandra

    Hello, a couple girlfriends and i were interested in starting a funeral home from scratch. any tips or words of wisdom would be helpful

  71. Sanyog455

    Thank you for sharing such useful content. Best Quotes Website

  72. Krystal Penrose

    Hey there, I am not a funeral director but we’re hoping folks will answer this question for you 🙂

  73. Heather

    Thank you for this blog post! Although I’m only trying to get a job at a Funeral Home, as opposed to opening my own, this post has helped me to understand the business and procedures. May your business thrive:)

  74. Fanny Lima

    great blog, Kristan! thinking of funeral home business and I guess this is a sign.

  75. Seberia Aubert

    I want to say thank you for taking the time to inform upcoming funeral home owners’ about your mistakes and experiences. It is greatly appreciated! Your lessons are definitely questions I had in my mind.

  76. Carl Gutierrez

    having a funeral plan is very important nowadays. thanks for this!
    https://www.forestlakeparks.com/

  77. Noel Perez

    https://www.forestlakeparks.com/

  78. Kabonina Mantshiyane

    We have seen it all since we started in 2086,but still going strong. The advise is highly appreciated it gives one a reason to go onand strive to only for the best.

    Thamk you.

  79. Edward Gray

    Appreciate your transparency in sharing your experiences! Learning from mistakes is key to growth, and your insights will undoubtedly help others in the funeral home business. Thanks for being open about the challenges you faced.