Frank Robertson joins NGL as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Madison, Wis. (September 29, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Robertson as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Robertson is an experienced financial executive who has led finance teams and successfully driven several large-scale transformational initiatives. He joins NGL with nearly 30 years of experience in insurance financial services.

Robertson will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting and strategic planning. He will work directly with Joe Celentano, NGL President & CEO, along with the executive leadership team to drive NGL’s growth in selected markets and focus on long-term organizational success.

“We are excited to welcome Frank to our team,” shared Celentano. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic financial planning, business transformation and leadership. Frank’s expertise aligns with NGL’s vision for the future. His financial and insurance knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and operational efficiencies.”

Prior to joining NGL, Robertson served in several financial functions and senior leadership roles at Global Atlantic Financial Group (formerly Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group). During his tenure at Global Atlantic, Robertson drove the buildout of the controllership function, worked closely with all areas of the firm to drive strategic growth initiatives and was responsible for helping design and build the infrastructure and processes that enabled Global Atlantic to operate successfully as a stand-alone company.

“I’m honored to join a financially strong, century-old company with a legacy of serving its policyholders and partners,” said Robertson. “NGL’s values-driven culture, long-term stability and forward-looking approach to growth makes this an exciting opportunity. I am committed to working alongside a collaborative, talented team that contributes to NGL’s continued success, as well as driving sustainable long-term growth for our partners and policyholders.” 

Robertson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He earned a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from Boston College Carroll School of Management. Robertson is also a certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey.

Robertson currently resides in New Jersey. He is an active member in the community and proudly supports a variety of youth and humanitarian focused organizations. 

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

A.M. Best Company Affirms Homesteaders’ Financial Strength

West Des Moines, Iowa — AM Best Company, a global rating agency focused on the insurance industry, has  affirmed Homesteaders Life Company’s financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook. 

“We appreciate AM Best’s diligence this past year and are pleased they have once again affirmed our financial  strength,” said Homesteaders Executive VP-CFO Steve Pick. “Along with our continued strong operating  performance, Homesteaders’ strategic investments over the last few years have bolstered our ability to support  the funeral profession through innovative product and service offerings. This affirmation by AM Best is an  additional vote of confidence in our performance and strategic direction.”  

Pick added that 2025 was characterized by significant strategic capital deployment, record asset growth, strong  sales performance and continued operational excellence.  

“Last year was a transformative one for our company, and AM Best’s affirmation tells us we’re on the right  track,” said Steve Shaffer, Homesteaders President, CEO and Board Chair. “Our continued financial strength is a direct result of our team’s ability to execute on creative and complex strategy while maintaining strong year over-year growth. Our funeral home customers should feel very confident in their choice to entrust us with their  client families’ preneed funds.” 

Shaffer noted that record profitability has positioned Homesteaders to invest even more capital in the profession.  “No other preneed provider can match our investment in the funeral space,” he added. “Homesteaders continues to lead the profession in investing tools and services that benefit independent operators – like our funeral home  lending program. To-date, we’ve provided more than $200 million in loans to support the growth of funeral  businesses across the country. That number continues to grow as more funeral providers recognize  Homesteaders as a knowledgeable, reliable, long-term partner to finance their business’s growth.” 

To learn more, view the company’s most recent annual report of company performance. 

Homesteaders Life Company, a life insurance company which is part of a mutual holding company  system owned by its policy holders, is a national leader providing products and services to help people design a  better farewell. Visit homesteaderslife.com to learn more. 

AM Best Company (ambest.com) is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information  source. 

April 4, 2025

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased’s personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.

Selected Educational Trust Receives Grant from Global Atlantic Financial Group to Expand  Workforce Development Programs 

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — March 27, 2025 — The Selected Educational Trust is pleased to announce  that it has received a grant from Global Atlantic Financial Group to enhance and expand its  Workforce Development offerings. With staffing recruitment, training, and retention being among  the most pressing challenges for independent funeral home owners, this funding will provide  critical support and resources to strengthen the profession. 

Through this grant, Global Atlantic Financial Group’s financial support will allow the Trust to grow  its four key Workforce Development initiatives: the Employment Center, Career Center, Mortuary  Science Student Center, and Job Fairs. These programs serve as essential resources for  independent funeral homes seeking to attract, train, and retain top-tier talent within the profession. “We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Global Atlantic Financial Group to elevate our  Workforce Development programs,” said Stefanie Favia, Executive Director of the Selected  Educational Trust. “This partnership enables us to provide independent funeral home owners with  the solutions they need to address the ongoing workforce challenges. By expanding our initiatives,  we continue our mission of supporting and advancing the independent funeral service profession  through education and career development.” 

The Trust’s Workforce Development programs provide a comprehensive approach to staffing  challenges. The Employment Center allows Selected members to post job openings with broad  visibility, including direct outreach to every accredited Mortuary Science School in the country. The  Career Center connects funeral professionals with potential employers while maintaining their  privacy. The Mortuary Science Student Center serves as a dedicated database of aspiring funeral  service professionals, helping member firms discover emerging talent. Finally, the Job Fairs facilitate direct connections between funeral home owners and Mortuary Science students, with  proven success in employment placements. 

As part of this initiative, the Trust will leverage its pre-existing relationships with mortuary science  schools to directly reach mortuary science students and early-career professionals seeking job  opportunities. New resources will be created and curated specifically for this demographic to  support their professional growth.

“At Global Atlantic Financial Group, we recognize the crucial role that funeral professionals play in  their communities,” said Tim Bridgers, Managing Director of Preneed at Global Atlantic Financial  Group. “By providing this grant to the Trust’s Workforce Development programs, we are investing in  the future of the funeral service profession, ensuring that dedicated professionals continue to  provide compassionate and high-quality care to families when they need it most.” 

This grant underscores the commitment of both organizations to strengthen the independent  funeral service profession through meaningful career opportunities and education. For more  information about the Selected Educational Trust and its Workforce Development initiatives, visit  www.selectedtrust.org or contact Stefanie Favia at stefanie@selectedtrust.org.  

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About the Selected Educational Trust 

The mission of the Selected Educational Trust (www.selectedtrust.org) is to provide the best educational  opportunities for the advancement and support of all who work within the independent funeral service  profession. To fulfill this mission, the Trust provides programs which offer scholarships to mortuary science  students and funeral service professionals, online education through its Institute for Exceptional Funeral  Service powered by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (www.funeral-institute.org) and networking  and employment opportunities through its Workforce Development Centers, now powered by Global Atlantic  Financial Group. 

About Global Atlantic 

Global Atlantic Financial Group is a leading insurance company meeting the retirement and life insurance  needs of individuals and institutions. With a strong financial foundation and risk and investment  management expertise, the company delivers tailored solutions to create more secure financial futures.  The company’s performance has been driven by its culture and core values focused on integrity, teamwork,  and the importance of building long-term client relationships. Global Atlantic is a wholly owned subsidiary  of KKR, a leading global investment firm. Through its relationship, the company leverages KKR’s investment  capabilities, scale and access to capital markets to enhance the value it offers clients. KKR’s parent  company is KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR). 

Global Atlantic Financial Group (Global Atlantic) is the marketing name for The Global Atlantic Financial  Group LLC and its subsidiaries, including Forethought Life Insurance Company and Accordia Life and Annuity  Company. Each subsidiary is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. These  subsidiaries are not authorized to do business in New York.

Funeral Director Daily published an article on Security National Financial Corporation’s 3rd Quarter 2024 results on Monday using the company’s November 14, 2024, Form 10-Q as our guidance as no press release had been issued from SNFC at that time.

Later on November 18, a press release on the earnings from SNFC was released and, as promised, we publish that information today.  You can access that press release here.

The company reported that 3rd Quarter Revenues were at $88.2 million, up from $80.2 million for the same time period of 2023 and “Earnings Before Taxes” for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2024 were $15.2 million as compared to $5.1 million for the first 9-months of 2023.

Here’s what Scott M. Quist, President of the company, said in prepared remarks in that press release, “It should be noted that for the 9 months our Mortgage Segment has improved its profitability by $9.4 million dollars, reflecting significant expense-reduction work along with the improved revenues. Our Life Insurance Segment revenues are arguably flat, being up only 3.8%, but the Life Insurance Segment’s profitability improved over 40% to $28 million dollars. Driving that profitability increase were decreasing death claims, including a return to more normal age distributions following COVID, and a decrease in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs which is related to the improved profit margins on our products.”

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

Foundation Partners Group Appoints David Waltzer Chief Financial Officer

Company Enters New Phase of Growth in End-of-Life Services

WINTER PARK, Fla. – September 10, 2024 – Foundation Partners Group, the nation’s second largest provider of funeral services, today announced the appointment of David Waltzer as Chief Financial Officer. Waltzer will oversee financial strategies and operations supporting the company’s long-term growth and expansion into a broader range of end-of-life planning services.

“David brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in financial leadership that will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in end-of-life services,” said Chris Blackwell, Foundation Partners’ interim CEO.  “He is a results-driven, detail-oriented operator with a keen understanding of the balance between business partnership and operating performance. David will play a critical role as we integrate new partners to bring a comprehensive solution to end-of-life planning that will streamline and simplify the experience for families across the United States.”

With 36 years of experience, Waltzer has held leadership positions in multi-unit healthcare services, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer products and services. He most recently served as CFO at Wellpath where he managed care for over 260,000 patients daily across the U.S. and Australia. He began his career as a senior auditor at Arthur Andersen, followed by roles at Lockheed Martin and National Dentex, LLC.

Waltzer holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a master’s in business from the University of Baltimore.

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About Foundation Partners Group  

Winter Park, Florida-based Foundation Partners Group is one of the industry’s most innovative providers of funeral services and the second-largest funeral home group in the country based on the number of families served. Foundation Partners owns and operates a network of over 230 funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries across 21 states. Our deep understanding of technology and customer experience-centered approach allows us to deliver truly innovative and compassionate care to the families we serve. Visit www.foundationpartners.com to learn more.  

It took awhile, but Security National Financial Corporation (SNFC) finally got around to posting the results of the company’s 2023 year just last week.  And, there is no doubt that SNFC’s Memorial Segment was one of the highlights of that report as that segment reported 10% revenue growth and 38% Earnings before Taxes growth as compared to the previous year.

Here’s what Scott Quist, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of SNFC said about the Memorial Segment in this press release, “As death rates stabilized throughout 2023, and as we implemented renewed emphasis on operational efficiencies, our Cemetery and Mortuary segment had its best year ever, earning nearly $8,500,000. Needless to say, we are very pleased with those results”.

Quist went on to say, “In our Memorial segment we have added key personnel, who we believe will drive growth and improve operations. To be sure, growth in this environment is expensive, but is nevertheless our goal.”  

The company’s Cemetery and Mortuary segment reached revenues of over $31.9 million for the year and as CEO Quist mentioned, Earnings before Taxes of $8.5 million.

Security National’s Life Insurance Segment, which I believe holds the company’s preneed insurance division and the company’s insurance assignment business,  also posted excellent results with a 9.5% growth in revenues over 2022 and 78% Earnings before Taxes growth.  The division’s earnings moved north of $25 million for 2023 after earning about $14.2 million in 2022.

Finally, it wasn’t all profits for SNFC as the third leg of their business enterprise, the Mortgage Segment, moved to a lower revenue and loss on that revenue for 2023 after being profitable in 2022.  CEO Quist said this of the Mortgage Segment’s struggles, “. . . the increased interest rates continued to have a devastating effect on our mortgage loan business with volumes falling roughly an additional 35% below 2022’s already decreased markets, with the net result being that our Mortgage segment lost $17,500,000″.

All in all, the company’s performance, dragged down by the Mortgage Segment, produced 18% less revenue in 2023 than in 2022 and produced Earnings before Taxes of about $16.3 million in 2023 as compared to 2022’s earnings of $34.3 million.

Funeral Director Daily take:  We’ll confine our comments to the Memorial Segment of SNFC.  Over the last couple of years we’ve seen it grow to a pretty good $31 million revenue division.  Back in 2022, as you can see from this article, Security National Financial Corporation purchased their first funeral home outside of their Utah/Northern California base.

If the 2023 financial results are in any way an indication of how that transaction has worked out you can understand why CEO Quist makes the comment about “growing” being the goal.

We think that SNFC is perfectly situated to make death care growth a reality.  Interest rates won’t be high forever which will bring back the mortgage business to profitability and the life insurance market will also provide available funds to the Memorial Segment in their growh aspirations.  Finally, being a public company they have plenty of ways to access cash to be able to keep costs of acquisitions from being debt heavy.

The company has chosen to be measured, thorough, and patient in their growth decisions. . . .I expect that same modus operandi will prevail as they grow out their death care segments.

Disclaimer — The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a stockholder in Security National Financial Corporation.

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Kansas United States Senator Jerry Moran recently testified at a United States Senate Veterans Affairs Committee meeting that “When mourning a death the last thing a grieving family needs is some bureaucratic hurdle or some substandard support.”

That comment came in response to the information provided, according to this article,  that “there is a backlog of facility upgrade requests submitted by 128 state, territorial and tribal veterans’ cemeteries in the United States”.  The article further states that it would cost an estimated $220 million to address two dozen projects that have been on the national waiting list for more than five years.

While it was noted that State Veteran Cemeteries take some of the demand off the National Cemeteries they also require upkeep and improvements.  Kansas has a National Cemetery at Fort Leavenworth and four State Military Cemeteries located at Fort Dodge, WaKeeney, Fort Riley, and Winfield.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs Grants Program was began in 1978 to complement the VA’s national cemeteries.  According to information found here, the program has expended over $922 million in grants to establish and/or expand these complimentary cemeteries owned and operated by states, territories, and tribal governments since its inception.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  According to this information, the Department of Veterans Affairs operates 155 national cemeteries through the National Cemetery Administration.

It’s a little like a doubled-edged sword. . . . the National Cemetery Administration, with its national cemetery system, served the purpose of honoring our veterans for a long time on its own.  From my point of view — and I’ll use my home state of Minnesota as an example — it eventually became necessary to expand the locations available for deceased veterans and their families over time and for a couple of reasons.

In Minnesota we had one Veterans Cemetery — the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  While I don’t know for certain, I believe it was the increase in the population’s veteran numbers with the World War II generation coupled with the fact that many wanted to be buried closer to their home city that resulted in the State of Minnesota establishing a State Veterans Cemetery in northern Minnesota at Camp Ripley in 1994.

Since that time, the State of Minnesota has opened three more state veterans cemeteries to complete the mission of allowing our veterans and their eligible dependents to be memorialized closer to home.  However, if other states are like Minnesota, that increasing number has put a stress on the amounts that our national government, through the Veteran’s Affairs grant program, can offer these complimentary cemeteries annually for upkeep and improvements.

And, while that is probably reality, it is also disappointing because, in my opinion, being remembered and memorialized for sacrifice and call to duty above self, is as American as America itself.  I’m of the opinion that if America took the time to find the appropriations necessary for this from other areas of our government’s spending. . . and also to teach the high ideals of this sacrifice. . . our nation would be a lot better off.

Related Topic —  While the article mentions that since 1978 $922 million has been granted by the federal authorities for these cemeteries and there is a backlog of $220 million in improvements waiting for funding for over five years, it appears that is a drop in the bucket for what is needed — or at least requested — for cemetery improvements.  Here you can find the U.S. Government 2024 Fiscal Year List of State and Tribal Government Pre-Grant applications. . . . it appears that the total dollars requested for 2024 alone is over $295 million.  Somebody will have to make some tough decisions on what makes the cut and what doesn’t.

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PlotBox Reveals Expanded Range of Financial Management Tools for Deathcare Providers

March 2024: Leading deathcare management solutions provider PlotBox has unveiled its new suite of financial tools and applications, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of cemetery, crematory, and funeral home operators.

From payment processing to trust fund management, this complete financial platform is accessed from within PlotBox’s existing solution, boasting direct financial API integrations with an ever-growing library of up to 20 leading accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero and NetSuite.

With PlotBox Pay, customers will have access to the industry’s most innovative payment technology with simple, secure, and reliable payment processing that includes automated ACH and card payments to streamline and enhance customer service.

PlotBox CEO Sean McAllister said, “PlotBox’s digital financial management offering has grown.  We all know how challenging month-ends and audits can be, and with the PlotBox Financial Management Suite, we’re helping to take the headache out of finances.

In listening to our customers, it was clear that there was a real need for an all-encompassing solution that would help them to overcome the complexities of their financial processes.  We were hearing loud and clear, the pains of manual workarounds, the risks and liabilities associated with errors and inaccurate data, and of course, time lost due to the lack of a dedicated finance system to bring everything together.

Our aim was to provide a means of streamlining and simplifying financial processes, along with the flexibility to integrate the PlotBox solution with their current accounting platforms.  And we’re not finished here, this is a key focus of our product roadmap and we will continue to innovate, creating new financial management products that will allow deathcare operators to provide the best possible service to their families.”

Click here to learn more.

About PlotBox

PlotBox is the innovative cloud-based digital deathcare management solution that enables cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes of every size to serve better, save time, increase revenue, reduce risk, and sustain long-term growth.  The essentials of deathcare management seamlessly integrated into a single, easy-to-use platform for more streamlined processes and increased efficiencies, with exceptional customer support local to you.

Our financial management suite provides seamless financial API integrations with a growing library of up to 20 leading accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero and NetSuite.  Fully scalable and with a range of pricing and package options, PlotBox can grow as you do, ensuring you get the best value right from day one, all while investing in your future.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland, with on-the-ground representatives in the United States and Australia, our 100-strong multidisciplinary team of experts provides the same professional levels of service and satisfaction across the globe.