I never know what will catch my eye as I peruse articles that I believe may contain information that will be helpful to the business operators of funeral homes, crematories, preneed agencies, and cemeteries.  Just the other day I was reading this article from the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette which included comments that contained this statement, “The industry has changed. . . .It’s now over 75% female”.

That statement was about funeral directors and was made by Mortuary Lift Company CEO Katie Hill.  The Gazette business article was about the Mortuary Lift Company, its history, products, and base of operations in the Cedar Rapids area.  It was interesting to me that Hill, a one-time working 4th-generation funeral director, realized back in the 1980’s that the position of funeral director brought a lot of lifting with it.

Hill’s realization of the lifting aspect of being a funeral director led her to purchasing a “mechanical lift” company in 1987.   Eventually she moved that company to Cedar Rapids where they are busy not only building ceiling attached lifts for the funeral profession but other products as well. . . . You can read more about the company in the linked article.

Here’s a couple of Hill’s quotes from the article:

• “Now they (funeral homes) are worried about workman’s comp. Nobody is lifting bodies by hand anymore.”

• “We sell internationally,” although tariffs have cost some recent orders.  People die all over the globe, and I’m the only one making lifting equipment for the funeral home.”

• “Orders are designed to fit the customer’s space, with costs running $15,000 to $20,000.  It’s probably the cost of one back surgery, and they’re aware of that.” 

• “We have a terrific product. There’s no built-in obsolescence. We don’t have any warranty issues, because we build a quality product. I stand behind it, and it’s a small industry. If they have an issue, they talk to me.”

Here’s the website for the Mortuary Lift Company.

Funeral Director Daily:  This is another great American success story built out of an idea to improve the work of an individual.  There are hundreds, or more than likely thousands, of those stories in the annals of American business success.  Hill’s thought process of “I realized pretty quickly that I could not lift a dead body, and there’s a lot of lifting of dead bodies,” when she became a funeral director led to this success.

And now, as you can see if you look to the company website, there are other products for funeral homes and the general population as well.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Funeral Director Daily learned earlier in December that Carriage Services was ranked among the Best Small Business Companies in America for 2024.

In a press release that you can read here, it was announced that Forbes recognized Carriage Services as its #33 company on its list of “Most Successful Small Companies” for 2024.  According to the press release, “This distinction highlights the Company’s continued growth, commitment to innovation, and unwavering dedication to serving families with compassion and care.”

In prepared remarks in the press release, Carriage Services CEO Carlos Quezada made these comments about the recognition, “To be ranked #33 on Forbes’ Most Successful Small Companies list is an extraordinary honor that underscores the passion and commitment of our team. At Carriage, we believe our success stems from the incredible people who dedicate themselves daily to serving families and supporting one another. This recognition is a tribute to their hard work, their drive for excellence, and their belief in our purpose. Together, we’ve built something truly special, and we are just getting started.”

Forbes selects its Most Successful Small Companies based on a rigorous analysis of performance metrics, including revenue growth, profitability, and innovation, as well as qualitative factors such as leadership, impact, and culture. The companies that earn a spot on this exclusive list represent the best of American business, demonstrating an ability to excel in competitive markets while maintaining a strong focus on purpose and people.

Carriage Services, a publicly owned company, operates 162 funeral homes in 26 states and 31 cemeteries in 11 states.

Disclaimer — The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a shareholder of Carriage Services.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”