Chptr Brings Together Death Care and Modern Media Leaders to Accelerate Modernizing the Obituary for Families and Funeral Homes

Six Respected Industry Leaders Join Chptr’s Advisory Board, Representing MKJ Marketing, Heritage Family, Homesteaders, and Independent Funeral Service

New York, NY — December 18, 2025 — Chptr, the community storytelling company helping funeral directors bring a more modern, meaningful, and accessible obituary experience to the families they serve, today announced the formation of its Obituary Advisory Board. Six of the profession’s most trusted operators, directors, marketers, and strategists have joined the board, including Glenn and Marilyn Gould of MKJ Marketing, Lindsay Granson of Heritage Family, Courtney Gould Miller of Homesteaders, Ricardo Carrillo of Carrillo Funeral Home, and Timothy Szczesny of DeMunn Funeral Home.

The group joins existing advisors and media leaders Christian A. Hendricks of the Local Media Consortium and Laura Clark of NPGCO. The Advisory Board’s formation marks an important milestone as Chptr scales nationwide to help funeral homes bring a modern obituary experience to the communities they serve. The group brings decades of operational, marketing, and family-service expertise and will advise Chptr on ensuring its broadcast, social, and video offerings remain simple, dignified, and deeply aligned with how funeral directors work.

Advisory Board members bring deep and complementary expertise across death care and modern media:

● Glenn and Marilyn Gould have spent more than 30 years building MKJ Marketing into one of the most trusted agencies in the profession, advising hundreds of funeral homes on strategic growth and family experience.

● Lindsay Granson, Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Family, leads one of the nation’s most respected multi-location funeral home organizations and brings deep expertise in family service excellence.

● Courtney Gould Miller, Chief Growth Officer at Homesteaders, has overseen strategic partnerships and product development supporting thousands of funeral homes.

● Timothy Szczesny, owner of DeMunn Funeral Home and Cremation Service, provides the essential perspective of an independent funeral director serving families every day.

● Ricardo Carrillo, owner of Carrillo Funeral Homes in Dallas, is a leading Latino funeral service voice whose experience supporting Hispanic families strengthens Chptr’s understanding of diverse community needs.

● Laura Clark serves as Chief People Officer at News-Press & Gazette Company, bringing expertise in organizational development and operational excellence across media properties.

● Christian A. Hendricks, representing the Local Media Consortium, brings deep expertise in digital media strategy and local news operations, strengthening Chptr’s alignment with community-focused publishers.

“Chptr, with our nationwide network of local media partners, was built to serve the people who serve families,” said Rehan Choudhry, CEO of Chptr. “Each member of this board has earned trust in the profession across the country. Their guidance ensures we stay grounded in the realities of funeral service and continue building tools that support directors in meaningful, practical ways.”

Chptr transforms family photos and memories into broadcast-ready video tributes that notify the wider community across local television, social media, and digital channels. By handling production and coordination directly with families, Chptr keeps the process simple for funeral directors while reinforcing their role as trusted community leaders.

“Directors need tools that help families feel supported without adding more steps to an already demanding day. Chptr delivers that,” said Lindsay Granson, COO of Heritage Family. “They help families reach the community while taking the production and coordination off our plate. We can feel the difference in how families respond and how confidently our directors offer the service.”

The Advisory Board has already begun advising on expansion priorities, partnership standards, and enhancements that address key challenges directors face in arrangement rooms. Their insight will guide Chptr as it continues to scale its offerings nationwide.

“Obituaries are a cornerstone of community journalism, and bringing them into video makes them even more powerful,” said Christian A. Hendricks, president of the Local Media Consortium. “That’s why we’ve engaged with Chptr. It transforms a simple notice into a story the whole community can see and feel. It’s exactly the kind of service local media was built to deliver.”

About Chptr

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in New York, Chptr is the community storytelling company that helps funeral homes bring modern memorialization to the families they serve. Through its Broadcast, Social, and Video offerings, Chptr transforms photos and memories into video tributes that reach thousands, helping communities gather, show support, and honor every life properly. Chptr partners with funeral homes and media companies across the United States, coordinating directly with families to keep workflows simple for funeral directors. Learn more at www.chptr.com.

Flying Farewells: Cremation Air Brings Innovation and Dignity to Aerial Ash Scatterings

When you think of cremated remains scattering from an airplane, you might imagine a cinematic, peaceful moment—a graceful release into the sky. But for most people, that romantic image comes with a long list of logistical, regulatory, and technical challenges. Pat Kane, Business Development Strategist for Cremation Air, LLC, says that’s exactly why the company exists: to make dignified, trackable aerial scatterings possible—and easy—for funeral directors to offer to their families.

Cremation Air, founded by the Czachor family of ASD – Answering Service for Directors, is the newest venture from a name already known and trusted in deathcare. The company operates a Beechcraft Bonanza G36, piloted by Andrew Czachor, the son of ASD’s Chief Technology Officer Marty Czachor. From conception to takeoff, the entire project has been a family effort grounded in care, precision, and respect.

Business to business, by design

While a handful of other companies offer aerial scatterings directly to consumers, Cremation Air’s model is designed specifically for deathcare professionals. 

“That’s the big difference,” Kane says. “With ASD’s foundation in deathcare, we wanted this to be business-to-business—to help directors offer families something meaningful and unique, while also putting some revenue back in their pockets.”

Cremation Air’s process is streamlined with directors in mind. Everything is handled through a simple, trackable system: directors submit an online order, include the necessary documents (cremation certificate and authorization to scatter), and ship the cremated remains to Cremation Air via USPS. From there, every step—receipt, flight scheduling, scattering—is tracked through a barcode system that provides updates to both the director and, optionally, the family.

“We knew tracking was critical,” Kane says. “When Kathy Czachor Kelley went to one of the women’s professional conferences, she came back saying, ‘We have to knock this out of the park from a tracking point of view.’ That’s where most horror stories come from, and we wanted to eliminate that.”

A new kind of memorial experience

Each family receives a tribute video showing the aircraft in flight and the scattering ceremony, along with a certificate of scattering. In the near future, families will be able to link the video directly to an obituary page, or even receive it on an elegant LCD memorial booklet that plays the video when opened—something Kane says could replace the “urn on the mantle.” At $395 per individual scattering, the service is accessible for many families and gives directors flexibility in pricing. 

The current operations serve the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions as well as the Great Lakes, with hangars in Philadelphia and Tampa. Each flight follows strict FAA guidelines, releasing remains three miles offshore from the selected coastal location or over designated bodies of water.

The human connection behind the mission

Although the technology and logistics behind Cremation Air are impressive, Kane says it’s the human element that truly defines the company. A former educator and school administrator, he came to deathcare through personal connections with the Czachor family—first as a teacher and coach to Andrew, then as a collaborator on the project.

“Andrew is 25 years old and is so thorough about the process,” Kane says. “He makes you feel so comfortable about getting up in that plane, which is the most important thing. So for him at that age, to be the way that he is, it’s really remarkable. I give him so much credit for wanting to do this.”

That same commitment, Kane believes, mirrors the heart of funeral service. 

“The grieving process has ebbs and flows,” he says. “If a director can connect with a family—make them laugh when they need to laugh, help them remember in the right way—that’s what makes the difference. Funeral directors are part of their communities; they really care. This service is just one more way to help them care.”

For families, aerial scattering through Cremation Air offers a poetic and respectful way to say goodbye. For directors, it’s a new opportunity to extend service and create value in the era of cremation.

“If a family has someone who loved the ocean, or who served in the Navy, or who was a pilot themselves—this is a natural fit,” Kane says. “And the best part is, they can still do everything else: keepsake jewelry, memorial items, urns. This isn’t an either/or. It’s an and.”

Personalization Made Simple: Eulogize Brings Fresh Tools to Funeral Homes

As families’ expectations evolve, personalization is no longer an “extra” in funeral service—it’s the standard. But while most deathcare professionals recognize the value of creating meaningful, individualized tributes, the barrier has often been the perception that personalization is time-consuming, complicated, or simply out of reach for a busy funeral home.

That’s exactly the challenge Eulogize Memorials aims to solve. Ahead of an expanded presence at the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago this October, Nick Kelly, Eulogize Co-Founder and Head of Product & Partnerships, is showcasing how easy it can be for funeral directors to deliver tributes that go beyond overused templates and truly reflect the lives being celebrated.

Moving beyond templates

For Kelly, the focus is simple: “Avoid the cookie cutter.” Funeral homes, he explains, don’t need to rely on generic designs or one-size-fits-all options. Instead, with just a few extra moments of conversation with families—learning about hobbies, family traditions, or favorite places—directors can build tributes that feel unique without adding significant work.

“It shouldn’t be a fear,” Kelly says. “It shouldn’t sound like a huge amount of work. It’s not. And it can have a huge impact.”

Eulogize’s platform is designed to serve as a launch pad for creativity. Rather than overwhelming you with endless preloaded themes (what Kelly calls “the Netflix effect”), the system offers a streamlined set of strong starting points. From there, directors can easily adjust colors, images, layouts, and filters—making each piece stunningly bespoke.

The goal isn’t to force you to become a designer, but to give you accessible tools that help capture a family’s story in a way that looks polished, professional, and deeply personal.

Keepsakes that last

Another exciting innovation Eulogize is introducing this fall is its partnership with MILK Books, an international leader in premium, museum-grade photo albums. Long known for their work in luxury weddings and fashion, MILK Books bring craftsmanship and quality to the memorial space.

Families who upload dozens or even hundreds of photos often struggle to narrow them down for a slideshow. With Eulogize’s integration, those “extra” images can be transformed into a high-quality photo book. Families can generate a layout with a single click—or spend more time customizing the design.

Unlike traditional memorial products that may be tucked away in a drawer, these albums are meant to live on the coffee table, revisited for years to come. They also give funeral homes a new way to connect with families long after the service, offering keepsakes for anniversaries, birthdays, or holidays.

“This isn’t something that’s going to be stashed and thrown away,” Kelly explains. “It’s something that’s going to live out on their table.”

For directors, the benefit is twofold: families gain a meaningful remembrance, while funeral homes strengthen relationships and open the door to new revenue opportunities.

Easy for families, easy for your team

Perhaps one of the strongest appeals of the Eulogize platform is its ease of use. While many design tools require hours of training or a single “creative” staff member, Eulogize is built for busy funeral homes where anyone on the team can step in.

“It doesn’t really matter who’s around,” Kelly notes. “Every staff member can have a login. You’ve always got that control and ability to offer that service consistently throughout the year, regardless of staffing issues.”

The platform is intentionally simple: intuitive enough to learn in an hour, yet robust enough to produce professional-quality results. That makes personalization accessible even when time is short or families provide limited input.

Personalization as storytelling

At the heart of Eulogize’s philosophy is the belief that personalization is really about storytelling. It’s not just about adding a golf motif because someone loved the game. It’s about capturing the memory of a grandfather playing golf with his grandson, or weaving in school colors from a beloved alma mater.

Small touches like these transform memorial products into meaningful reflections of life. They also elevate a funeral home’s reputation in the community, showing families that “extra time and effort” went into every detail.

“By spending just a little more time, you can apply those details in a way that makes each service unique,” Kelly says.

Looking Ahead

Eulogize continues to expand its offerings, from subtle creative features like filters and layouts, to more innovative tools to save funeral directors time without sacrificing quality. But at its core, the company’s mission remains the same: helping funeral homes provide personalization that is easy, meaningful, and scalable. 

As funeral service moves further into an era of choice, customization, and storytelling, Eulogize offers a reminder that personalization doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools, deathcare professionals can deliver unique, beautiful tributes—while saving time, building stronger connections, and setting your businesses apart.

Be sure to stop by Booth 727 at the NFDA Expo in Chicago this month to meet Nick Kelly and see for yourself what Eulogize can do for you, your team, and the families you serve!

We recently received a press release from OneRoom, a trusted leader in funeral streaming.  The press release made known that the company has launched its new “Rev Gen Bundle” – defined as a way to make every stream work harder for your funeral home. With Tribute Buttons and Pre-Need Pathways, funeral homes can now generate leads, boost eCommerce, and connect guests with their services through streaming.

According to OneRoom, every service streamed through OneRoom reaches an average of 30 guests, and one-third of them are local. The Rev Gen Bundle is a way to turn that reach into real opportunities, giving guests simple ways to interact with your services, and take the next step.

● Pre-Need Pathways gives guests a simple way to request a pre-planning guide at a time when they’re naturally open to thinking ahead. After nine months of refinement, it now sees around 2% of viewers taking that step – turning interest into warm leads.

 

● Tribute Buttons give guests meaningful ways to engage – like sending flowers, writing a message, or accessing grief support – using the funeral home’s existing suppliers and links. It’s a simple way to amplify what you’re already offering on your website, right when families need it.

These tools are made possible by OneRoom’s recently upgraded viewer, redesigned to support future innovation and to better reflect each funeral home’s brand. A warmer guest experience ensures that online services feel personal, and position the funeral home at the heart of it.

“We’ve built a platform that supports your brand and your growth,” said Brady Cox, CEO of OneRoom. “The Rev Gen Bundle is just the beginning of what streaming can unlock when it’s done right.”

Again, according to OneRoom, these features are the first in a series of upcoming releases aimed at helping funeral homes drive connection, conversation, and growth. With a stronger platform in place, OneRoom is positioned to roll out further enhancements throughout 2025.

About OneRoom
OneRoom is a hands-free funeral streaming platform used by funeral homes across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With zero-effort setup, automated scheduling, and full guest support, it removes the burden of streaming from funeral staff – while opening up new opportunities to grow.

To learn more about how OneRoom can help you turn your streaming into Preneed leads click here.

Here is the website for OneRoom 

Funeral Director Daily take:  I’ve said before that Death Care is now at a nexus of Traditional vs. Technological.  This offering by OneRoom is another step in that movement.

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Technology Think Tank 2025 Brings the Future of AI and Innovation to Funeral Service — June 3-4 in Asheville, NC 

LINCOLN, R.I. — The future is now – and your funeral business cannot afford to fall behind. Kates-Boylston is hosting their annual Technology Think Tank event June 3 & 4 at the Crowne Plaza Asheville Resort in North Carolina. This must-attend conference dives deep into the most transformative technologies shaping funeral service today – from virtual reality, artificial intelligence and automation to data integration and immersive tech. Whether you’re just starting to explore digital tools or looking to fine-tune your tech setup, this event will equip you with practical, tech-driven strategies to future-proof your business. 

Gain insights from visionary leaders on how to leverage emerging technologies to optimize service, enhance personalization, and streamline operations. Powerful tech-focused sessions include presentations from: 

• August Esposito, Implant Recycling – “Immersive Technologies and the Funeral Industry” 

• Cole Waybright, Homesteaders Life Company – “Breaking Silos: Maximizing Efficiency with Integrated Technology”

• Jon Lefrandt, Elevia – “Innovate to Serve: Using AI and Automation to Enhance Funeral Care” 

• Brent Thorson, LifeArt by Terrybear – “Cremation Innovation: 5 Ways to Catapult Your Firm Ahead of Your Competition” 

• Barcley Cadet, Carriage Services – “The Evolution of Talent Acquisition” 

These sessions spotlight real-world applications of cutting-edge technology designed to help your business thrive in an increasingly digital world.  

Why Attend? 

Discover how to use AI to enhance client experiences, automate repetitive tasks and reclaim valuable time. Utilize data to drive smarter business decisions. Implement integrated systems for seamless workflows. Stand out with cutting-edge cremation and memorial tech.

You’ll leave with a clear technology roadmap, a deeper understanding of AI’s growing role in funeral service, and connections to experts who are actively shaping the future of the profession. 

North Carolina CEUs pending approval.

Join us at Technology Think Tank 2025. The tools you need to transform your operations – and your future – are waiting. 

For more information and to register at the early bird rate of $198, please visit https://events.kates-boylston.com/technology-think-tank-2025 and follow us on Facebook. 

About Kates-Boylston 

Kates-Boylston, an independent voice in coverage of the funeral service profession for nearly 150 years, is headquartered in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Kates-Boylston’s independent journalistic portfolio includes American Funeral Director and American Cemetery & Cremation print and digital platforms, as well as Funeral Service Insider digital publication and associated podcast and media presence. For more information, visit www.kates-boylston.com.                                                       

Service Corporation International (SCI) reported its 4th Quarter of 2024 as well as its 2024 Year End results last week.  Being as large a Death Care company as they are it is probably as close as one gets to an annual report on the status of Death Care in the North America when one digests their annual results.

Here is the press release from Service Corporation International on their 2024 4Q and 2024 Annual results which was released last week.

Here is what CEO Thomas Ryan said in prepared remarks in the press release, “We are pleased to report a strong finish for the year with adjusted earnings per share growth of 14% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This was driven by revenue growth in both our segments, which translated into solid gross profit performance and margin expansion. Growth in cemetery preneed sales production and higher funeral general agency revenue more than offset a decline in services performed during the quarter . . . . cash flow for the year allowed us to invest $181 million into the acquisition of 26 funeral homes and 6 cemeteries in major metropolitan markets and $62 million into real estate transactions to expand our footprint of funeral homes and cemeteries in our existing markets.”

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  There is a lot in this report and it takes some time to digest.  And, following the release of the company’s Earnings Call transcript I’ll probably provide more details and have more to say.  For the time being, here are some thoughts that I have. . .

Revenue: Total Revenue for SCI jumped from FY2023’s $4.099 billion to FY2024’s $4.186 billion — an increase of about $87 million or 2.11%.  The company probably also gained margin as the year went on because their 4Q24 revenue jumped 3.6% over the same number for 4Q23.  In my book, especially because they reported less services conducted on the year, that revenue increase is probably indicative of price increases.

SCI does report in their “Consolidated Funeral Segment” that revenue per services jumped to $5,651 in FY2024 over the FY2023 number of $5,536 — an increase of 2.1%.

Service Case Volume:  In the company’s “Consolidated Funeral Segment” results, SCI reports 355,074 services perfermed in FY2024 as compared to 358,873 services performed in FY2023 — a drop of about 1.1%.  From those numbers alone we don’t know if that drop is because of a loss of market share or simply because of less deaths occuring in their market areas.

Matthews International, in their quarterly report last week, explained away a lower unit sales of casket by what they termed as “less deaths”.  That may be correct and the case with SCI’s lower volume, but one might keep an eye on market share — especially when SCI tells us of the acquisition of 26 facilities during the year whose services numbers should also be included.  When contemplating that fact, however, we do not know when during the year, or even if, those acquisitions started contributing to the financial numbers.  In my opinion, however, the reported number of “Services Performed” will be a number worth watching in the future.

In what SCI calls their “Comparable Funeral Results” which is defined by “those businesses owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2024″,  the company shows an even steeper drop in “Services Performed” for the 4th Quarter of 2024.  SCI indicates a drop of 3,366 services performed during the 4th Quarter, compared to the year prior, which translates into a 3.8% decline for the period.

Again, that number being “Same Store” results. . . . is that indicative of a loss of market share or simply a number reflective of less deaths in their market regions?  I believe it is a number worth watching in the future.

Preneed:  In July 2024, SCI announced a new Preneed agreement with Global Atlantic as you can read from this Funeral Director Daily article on the subject.  We believe, that as is common with new partners, implementation to fine-tuned operations will take some time to get to.  In fact, the SCI report offers footnotes on that subject.

However, in reporting their “Comparable Preneed Sales Production” a Total Preneed sales dollar drop of 9.2% for the 4th Quarter of 2024 as compared to the 4th Quarter of 2023 is reported.  That, too, will need to be watched over time to see if the drop is simply in the implementation of a new policy, a change in accounting in moving from trusts to insurance-based preneed, or reflects a market share trend.

It could possibly reflect a market share trend based on the seemingly growing popularity of low-cost and/or online cremation puchases.  My thought is that the drop in preneed revenue could represent lower cremation sales prices to meet growing competition or simply losing clientele to lower priced online cremation providers.  In any case, this number bears watching in future quarterly reports.

Final Thoughts:  When I read these reports with my background in funeral home ownership I realize that the numbers simply give us a “point in time” reflection of a public company.  However, I think that bringing up questions and possibilities about the numbers is how one can “see into the future” to put their funeral home in the best possible situation to win customers in the future.

Disclaimer — The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a shareholder of Service Corporation International.

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

I’ve been around long enough to see many people call themselves a “Leader”.  Some of those people are and some aren’t.  I’ve also been around long enough to recognize a “True Leader” when they are in my midst.

And, tomorrow night those of you who tune in for the Cremation Association of North America’s (CANA) monthly Peer Support meeting will get to hear from one of the “True Leaders” of funeral service, Randy Anderson.  Anderson, no relation to me, is a first-generation funeral director, former owner of Radney’s Funeral Home and Langley Funeral Home in Alabama, and past president of the National Funeral Directors Association.

According to the CANA press release, ” (Anderson) has spent his career supporting funeral service and professionals through volunteering and teaching and will continue this mission and inspire others at the peer support meeting.”

In that same press release Anderson gives a little self-advice about leadership to others as he makes this comment, “I have had many opportunities to lead throughout my life and have been taught and supported by many wonderful leaders.  In every leadership position, I have learned that everyone wants to be heard and it’s important to listen. I have learned that everyone does not see every experience the same. Looking back, I would advise myself to try to look more through the eyes of others.” 

For what it is worth, I was ecstatic when I saw that Randy Anderson had signed up to recieve Funeral Director Daily a few years ago.  His leadership at NFDA was truly inspiring and the thought that he would sign up to hear what I had to say is proof that he believes in what he says according to the preceding paragraph.  I eventually got to meet Randy at the Baltimore NFDA convention and even though we didn’t talk for long it was apparent to me that he lives to serve others and to serve funeral service.

To learn more or join the peer support meeting featuring Randy Anderson you can click here.  The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link.  No registration is required, simply follow the link to join.

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Americans have moved into a realization that when it comes to grief, memorialization, and remembrance that not one size fits all.  That’s apparent by the growing number of options chosen for human disposition and remembrance.

This article and news video story from the Central Oregon Daily News brings up the relatively new memorialization process of “Cremation Tattoos”.  “Cremation Tattoos” are a memorialization option that many have chosen which is carried out by applying tattoos to survivors in which the ink applied has had cremation ash of the deceased mixed into the solution.

However, according to the linked article and according to the Oregon Health Authority “tattoo inks, dyes, or pigments must be purchased from a commercial supplier or manufacturer and must include an expiration date. The use of expired products or those banned or restricted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is prohibited”.  In addition, the article states, “Any alteration of the inks, including adding substances not intended by the manufacturer (such as cremated remains), would likely be prohibited”.

While many tattoo professionals will mix ashes with ink in order to satisfy clients not all tattoo artists are comfortable with the process.  One artist named in the article, Edward Kehoe, made these comments, “Nowadays, tattooing is more professional, so we tend to have higher standards as far as what we’re applying. . . . I understand people’s idea of wanting to get the memorial with the ashes and it’s a very sweet idea. But I just don’t think that it’s sanitary per se”.

Another side of the issue is apparent when reading what Joshua Lohnes, a father of an deceased unborn child who has had a cremation tattoo in remembrance of that daughter applied to his arm.  Lohnes states his reasoning this way, “. . .we lost the child, and it was a really heavy grieving process for me, and I didn’t really know how to get out of it.. . . . I just wanted something.  I wanted her to be with me. I wanted to have something physical that was beautiful, that I could look at and carry with me.” 

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  While the basis for this article is taken from an article based in Oregon and deals exclusively with the State of Oregon’s regulations, it is imperative to know that the school of regulations for the art of cremation tattoos is still in the processing stages.  There are 50 different states and it is likely that those differing states have differing regulations.

Funeral directors who may be asked by clientele thinking about this option just need to let those who are asking know that their state may or may not be regulated and they need to proceed at that level.  If you know the regulations in your state it might be smart to have those regulations copied off and given to the client for their perusal.  And, until we know more about the process and health of the process, it is probably unwise for funeral directors to endorse this process.

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

If there was a doubt that how Death Care is changing is of interest to practitioners in the business, one would only have to look at article readership of Funeral Director Daily over the past thirty days to prove the point to the doubter.  Every 30 days, on the 15th of each month, Funeral Director Daily recaps our “Top Read” articles over that 30 days.

As of Sunday, September 15, our “Top Read” article of the month was an article on how some funeral establishments are changing.  That article was titled “Death Done Differently“.

What is interesting about that article is that it was not only the “Top Read” article of the month, but it produced the “Top Pageviews” for one day in the history of Funeral Director Daily.  And, it broke the old pageview record by a whopping 63%.

So, in my mind, there is an enormous interest by funeral service practitioners on how our businesses will be evolving over the next decade and beyond.  And, it is apparent that practitioners are searching for what roads to take in that equation.

Here’s Funeral Director Daily’s “Top Read” articles from August 15 to September 15 in case you missed them when published.

1. Death Done Differently
2. Mobility, remote locations may may cause lack of services for consumers
3. 60 years ago today. . .and the story of the “Kennedy casket”
4. Where was SCI?
5. Is private equity “hunting” Carriage Services?

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

A Heartfelt Word of Thanks  —  It kind of feels like that feeling when you learn to ride a bike or solve a difficult math problem.  I’ve been trying to put a pulse on the business of Death Care, and where it is trending, for almost the past seven years. . . . Wondering if my messages are appreciated. . .and in a world where you just type on a computer and put the stories out there, readership data becomes the main feedback source.

The numbers for Funeral Director Daily are continuing to increase and I can only thank you readers who read what I write  —  maybe some good articles, maybe some bad articles, and maybe some indifferent articles but the numbers increasing and feeling like I am offering some good news and suggestions keeps me going.  So, thanks again for taking the time to read what I put the effort into writing. . . . I have a passion for serving families and mentoring young funeral directors and business people and this blog is my way of keeping that effort up. . .

Here’s how Funeral Director Daily has grown this summer illustrated by the page views of our website as documented by Monster Insights:

• May 2024 –                         14,783 page views
• June 2024-                          15,585 page views
• July 2024-                           16,271 page views
• August 2024-                     20,409 page views

And, as we sit on September 15, 2024, the latest 30-day rolling number of page views is at 22,236.  So, thanks for reading and keeping me motivated!!!

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