Good Luck Caskets & Misguided Motives | 4M #198

Welcome to the hundred-and-ninety-eighth edition of Morticians’ Monday Morning Mashup, 4M #198, where we’ll serve up bite-sized, easily-digestible nuggets of the deathcare news you need to crush conversations in the week ahead. Bon appetit!

He loves his momma

In order to ensure that his 70-year-old mom sticks around for as long as possible, a man  in China’s Hunan province did what we would all do — he marched his very-much-alive mother through town in a casket. The video of this procession, which included a total 16 men carrying the casket from the shop to the woman’s home, has gone viral, and the man says he hopes it brings good fortune and long life to his mom.

Tending America’s lawn

Last week, more than 400 landscapers from 30 states gathered at the FDR Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to move and spread about 12 dump truck loads of mulch. The effort was part of a national day of service initiative organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The mulch will “support tree and plant health by simulating the forest floor,” says a press release.

He accomplished his goal

A Texas funeral home is apologizing for the actions of a now former employee who posted videos of himself romping among the caskets in their selection room — with a gun. Another employee said the guy was just “trying to go viral.” He has, but not in the way he probably had hoped.

No notice, big problem

Remember when the US Postal Service was the mode through which everyone received reminders about everything from credit card bills to car tag renewals? Although most companies and organizations switched to reminders via email or text years ago, one funeral director must have missed the memo. So, when it came time to renew his funeral director’s license in 2012 and he didn’t get a reminder in the mail, he just kept on keeping on, practicing without a license for 12 more years. When he realized his mistake, he self-reported to his state’s board, who imposed a $1,000 fine. The board received no complaints about his service during the period when he was unlicensed, and he is currently in the process of renewing.

A Review of HBO’s The Mortician: The Good, The Bad, and The Unimaginable

(The views in this piece are my own personal opinions and observations and do not necessarily represent those of Connecting Directors or the good people behind it.)

When it comes to HBO’s recent documentary The Mortician, most funeral service professionals probably fell into one of two categories: those who refused to watch it because David Sconce is a horrible person and the worst possible representative of the industry, and those who watched to see exactly how deathcare was portrayed and prepare themselves for the inevitable questions from the curious. 

If you’re part of the last category, you weren’t the only one tuning in, popcorn ready, for those three Sunday night episodes. It turns out that a lot of people wanted to know just how bad the Sconce criminality could get — so many that The Mortician became HBO’s most-watched documentary in the last five years. I was among those 2.6 million record-breaking viewers, and here’s my personal take on the series as it relates to you, our extremely appreciated readers.

We’ll start with the Good

Yes, I did manage to find some small bits of light amid the dark, dark, scenes of disturbing greed and inhumanity. In my humble opinion, the crimes and indiscretions committed by David Sconce and enabled by his parents and employees were so extreme and so unspeakable — just so “out there” — that his story has to be an anomaly. Yes, it was a true story, and yes, Sconce eagerly owned up to his sick deeds and twisted motivations. I simply can’t fathom that a normal human being can watch this tale unravel and believe that the majority of other funeral professionals (or any person with a conscience, for that matter) could ever conceive of such actions. Again … just my opinion. 

Another much appreciated aspect of the documentary was the rational input of real deathcare pros, from a mortuary school instructor to actual competitors of the Sconce’s Lamb Funeral Home in Pasadena, California. These individuals represented what families want to see in their funeral directors and those who will be handling the remains of their loved ones, respectfully and ethically.

Lastly, the documentary clearly communicated that things changed in the industry after Sconce was found out in 1987 and convicted in 1989. Laws were enacted and regulations put in place for strict oversight and to prevent similar tragedies from befalling innocent families again  … which leads me to the next section of this review.

There was some Bad

Those 2.6 million normal human beings who watched The Mortician probably did what most of us do today when engrossed in a new story — Googled to find out more. And that might have led them to not-so-dissimilar stories of bad actors in recent history like the Hallfords of Colorado’s Return to Nature, for example. Like Sconce, the husband-and-wife green funeral home owners seemed to be driven by greed and a total disrespect for human remains. Hopefully, “the Google” also told these internet sleuths that even more laws have been enacted to keep people like the Hallfords and the small handful of bad guys out of the industry and unable to hurt more families.

Another (kind of) bad thing that actually wasn’t in the documentary, but definitely took advantage of its popularity, is an event that popped up in my own Google search. On June 14, a group held an “interactive murder mystery experience” at the “historic” 1920s Pasadena building that was formerly Sconce’s Lamb Funeral Home. The building also serves as the backdrop for an escape room activity called “Missing at the Mortuary.” Ugh … it’s just so gross.

But it was mostly Ugly … or in this case, Unimaginable

Let’s face it — The Mortician had all the expected titillating elements of today’s must-watch true-crime docs, and maybe more. It had murder (allegedly), greed (obviously), ex-cons, mobsters, money, the family-falling-from-grace storyline, broken marriages, college football players, poison, lots of drugs, veiled confessions to even more crimes (cliffhanger style), and of course, the shadowy participant who didn’t want their face revealed. 

Worst of all were the families who found out the remains they cherished probably weren’t those of their loved ones. They learned that the people handling the bodies weren’t professionals at all, but sketchy figures who practiced ineptly, unethically, and without one bit of remorse or discretion. They also learned that they entrusted their loved one to a sociopath who didn’t seem one bit sorry for what he’d done. Even prison and a $15.4 million settlement with his victims’ families didn’t give him a glimmer of a soul — and the last few moments of the documentary proved that, without a doubt.

The one question I wish they had asked

In that final episode viewers heard Sconce tearfully relate the deaths of two of his grandparents. Yes, I said tearfully. His near-humanity was astonishing, to be honest, and stood in stark contrast to the benign, almost jovial way Sconce discussed all of the atrocities and crimes he had committed. 

I wish the interviewer had stopped him right there and asked this man, who openly stated in The Mortician that, “I don’t put any value in anybody after they’re gone and dead” and “people just got to be more in control of their emotions,” why the tears, or, more directly, how he would feel if his two beloved grandparents had been shoved in a cremation furnace with 10 other strangers? One has to wonder.

Selected Independent Funeral Homes Lets the Good Times Roll at 107th Annual Meeting in New Orleans

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. – June 17, 2025 – The world’s leading independent funeral service professionals will gather in New Orleans, LA for Selected Independent Funeral Homes’ 107th Annual Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton on September 28 – October 1.

True to this year’s theme of “Let the Good Times Roll,” participants will have ample opportunities to network with colleagues, experience engaging educational sessions and obtain valuable continuing education credit. During the meeting, the Association will induct its newest Board Representatives and Officers, while recognizing the contributions of its outgoing Officers.

Keynote speaker Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) will present “Leadership & Accountability When It Matters.” Commander Lippold was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a fatal terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000. Using his experience from this devastating terrorist attack as a backdrop, Commander Lippold conveys how the principle of integrity created a diverse and inclusive environment for leadership where his crew felt empowered with a sense of ownership, seizing the opportunity to be responsible for their ship, and not just their jobs.

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, an award-winning employment brand, will present “A Culture of Excellence: Building Success from Within” during the General Session. They will share best practices on how to activate and sustain a culture where valued and empowered employees own the customer experience. Leaders ready to transform their organization will walk away with actionable ideas to elevate experiences and engage employees.

Many other dynamic speakers will share valuable insights at the Annual Meeting. View details of all speakers and sessions online. Additional highlights will include the following:

• Up to 10.0 hours of continuing education credit (1.0 CE Units) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and states requiring CE. (Approvals vary by state.)
• Recognition of Selected Membership Milestone anniversaries.
• Induction of Selected’s 2025-2026 Board Chair and President, 2025-2029 Board Directors and recognition of outgoing Officers.
• Recognition of the Selected Educational Trust’s Ambassador of the Year Awards.
• Opportunities to connect with Selected’s Preferred Partners both at their individual displays and during informational “Conversation Café” sessions.
• Several members-only sessions and activities for Selected members including luncheons for members of Selected’s Communities.
• Two days of exclusive Selected Study Groups events for Selected Study Groups participants.

“For more than 100 years, Selected has used our Annual Meeting as a catalyst for positive change and an incubator for innovation,” said Tom Antram, 2024-2025 Selected President. “The good times happen when we are together. I’m excited to Let the Good Times Roll as we gather in New Orleans this fall!”

Spots are filling quickly! Register and make your hotel reservations today.

About Selected Independent Funeral Homes:

For more than 100 years, Selected Independent Funeral Homes has been the leading association of independently owned death care providers. The Association connects leaders in funeral service by delivering innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support to its international network. These leaders transform care as they aspire to the highest quality standards and best practices. As the capstone of Selected’s year, the Annual Meeting gives members and participants an opportunity to create the future of funeral service.

The other day I came across this article from Today’s Will & Probate publication of Great Britain.  The title of the article is “Regulation profoundly changing the dynamics of the funeral plan market“.

I think it portends continuing interest and expansion in funeral home preneed sales.  I also believe that some of the indications of the British market are noticeable in the United States market as well.  One of the items of interest to me in the article was that with British preneed market coming under more regulation on the funeral side, it appears that British clientele is now moving more to a “defined” death care services product for insurance than what they term an “Over 50’s Plan” of basic insurance that could cover funeral expenses.

The British article makes this comment, “Clients looking to secure their end-of-life arrangements may increasingly turn to funeral plans (including direct cremation) as a regulated, transparent, and practical solution. Advisers and will writers would do well to ensure clients understand the difference between a funeral plan (and the increasing variety of them) and a life insurance policy, particularly where funeral cost certainty, and ensuring funeral wishes are known, is a priority.” (Emphasis by Funeral Director Daily)

The point of that quote, in my opinion, is that preneed clientele is more and more looking for funeral and/or cremation cost certainty and are moving into those types of plans instead of simply purchasing an insurance plan, known in Great Britain as an “Over 50’s Plan” or in North America as a “Final Expense” plan which does not guarantee that funeral home payment certainty but allows for death benefits to be paid to a person or estate for distribution of final expenses, which would include funeral/cremation/cemetery costs.

It’s very difficult to get accurate numbers of the North American preneed market because most of the numbers include what many of us would refer to as “Final Expense” insurance and not necessarily “Preneed” insurance as sold by death care providers to explicity pay for the costs associated with funeral/cremation/cemetery expenses.

In either case it appears that the numbers are growing and if, like in Great Britain, clients increasingly want “price certainty” about funeral/cremation/cemetery expenses, then I would suggest that a market share shift between “Final Expense” and “Preneed” would favor a higher market share going to the Preneed side of the ledger as appears to be happening in Great Britain according to this graphic from the Today’s Wills & Probate article.

This October 2024 press release from the Life Insurance Council indicates that Preneed insurance grew by 8% year over year.

According to one report that I read, a potential increase in numbers of Preneed policies written is being driven by the following factors:

• Inflation Protection: A major driver for preneed insurance is the desire to mitigate rising funeral costs.
• Peace of Mind: Preneed planning provides peace of mind for both individuals and their families by pre-arranging and funding funeral arrangements.
• Demographic Shifts: An aging population and increasing awareness of end-of-life planning contribute to market growth.
• Multi-Pay Growth: The popularity of multi-pay options makes preneed insurance more accessible to a wider range of consumers. 

Funeral Director Daily take:  Prior to writing this article I had a couple of discussions with Preneed people.  In one discussion with a preneed sales counselor I learned that their market population had not really grown in the last decade but that they were doing double the sales volume as a result of not only more aggessive sales tactics but a growing consumer interest in the product.

Another friend I talked to who oversees a large multi-state distribution area of preneed told me, that in spite of growing cremation popularity,  the average face value of the policies written by his group continues to grow.  My take on that is that is one of the best ways of challenging the lowering of the “Average Revenue per Case” dilemma that some funeral homes are worrying about.

In both of these visits, I think it shows a positive trend for preneed and how it can help a funeral home grow market share and average revenue per call.  If you are not aggressively marketing preneed. . . . you should be.

Finally, couple those thoughts with what seems to be an improving consumer attitude for pre-death choices and cost certainty and include the expected increase in number of Americans over the age of 65 moving into the future and I look at the future of Preneed as very good.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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

There are many occasions when it is appropriate to give a sympathy gift. A death in the family, a friend going through a hard time, or simply because you are thinking of someone are all times when it might be the right thing to do. But what is the best way to show your sympathies? What is a good sympathy gift?

There are many different options for sympathy gifts. You could choose something classic like flowers or chocolate, or go for something more personal that shows how well you know the person you are gifting to. There are also a few things to avoid when choosing a sympathy gift. Read on for some tips on picking out the perfect present.

When someone we care about is grieving, it can be difficult to know what to do or say to offer comfort. One thoughtful way to show you care is to give a sympathy gift.

What is a good sympathy gift?

The answer may depend on your relationship with the bereaved person and their individual preferences, but there are some general guidelines you can follow.

Think about what the deceased person enjoyed in life. A book, music album, or movie related to their interests can be a nice way to honor their memory. If they had a favorite flower or plant, you could send a living arrangement of these blooms.

Consider what might be helpful to the bereaved person as they adjust to their new reality. A gift basket with self-care items such as lotion, bath bombs, or tea can be a welcome gesture. A journal or pretty notebook can provide an outlet for their grief.

A gift doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to be meaningful. Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference. A handwritten note expressing your condolences can mean a lot to someone who is grieving. A hug and an offer to lend a listening ear can also be very comforting.

No matter what you choose to give, the most important thing is that it comes from the heart. A sincere gesture of sympathy can go a long way in helping someone through a difficult time.

When in doubt, a condolence card with a personal message is always appropriate. A gift of food or flowers is also always appreciated. If you know the person well, you may want to consider giving a more personal gift that will be cherished and remembered. Whatever you give, make sure it is something that came from the heart.

DIY Sympathy Gifts

When you plan to attend funerals at Rochester, NY funeral homes
, you may also want to send a sympathy gift to show the family of the deceased that you are thinking of them and want to be there to support them. A sympathy gift can help improve their mood and let them forget about their grief for a short time. There are many different sympathy gifts that you can find online or in your florist shop. If you want to make sure the sympathy gift you give is personal and special, you may want to make it yourself. Here are a few simple ideas that you can try.

Flower Arrangements

It’s tradition to send flowers to a funeral home as a sympathy gift but that doesn’t mean you have to order them from the florist. Florists can be expensive, and they may only have a limited variety of flowers to choose from. If you want to make sure the flowers you send don’t look like the ones everyone else sends, you will want to choose your own and make the arrangement yourself. You can order flowers online, cut them from your own garden, or you can buy faux flowers, and make arrangements that are more affordable and last much longer.

Prayer Blankets

Prayer blankets make great sympathy gifts because they are comfortable and have a special meaning. You can order prayer blankets that have been prayed over by churches or individuals. You can also buy any blanket you choose and ask a church to pray over it for you. If you want to make it really special, you can ask the family and friends of the deceased to pray over it together so that it contains the prayers of everyone who knew the deceased.

Photo Gifts

Many people like to have photos of their deceased loved ones in their homes so they can look back on better times and remember their loved one how they were when they were healthy and happy. You can print off photos and add them to special frames and give them as gifts to the family. You can also order other photo gifts from your local photo counter. You can add photos to mugs, blankets, Christmas ornaments, and other things. Choose something you know the family will like and find a way to turn it into a special memory.

If you are looking for the perfect gift to send to Rochester, NY funeral homes to show your sympathy for the family, be sure to consider the options above. You can also come up with your own unique idea that you can make yourself. If you are ready to plan a funeral
for a loved one, be sure to call Rochester Cremation. We are here to help you with all your funeral planning and cremation needs. Give us a call and let us walk you through the planning process
and make it easy for you and your family.

Where to buy sympathy gifts?

There are many stores that sell sympathy gifts, both online and offline. Some of the most popular places to look include department stores, florists, and specialty shops.

If you’re not sure what kind of gift to give, consider something that will be meaningful to the grieving person. For example, if they were close to the person who died, a photo frame with a picture of the two of them together would be a thoughtful gesture. Or, if the deceased was an animal lover, a donation to a local animal shelter in their name would be a fitting tribute.

When it comes to giving a sympathy gift, it’s the thought that counts. So take your time in choosing something that you think the recipient will appreciate and find comfort in.

Conclusion

Sending a sympathy gift is one way to show your support for the family and friends of the deceased. If you are looking for the perfect gift, be sure to consider the options above. Sympathy flowers, plants, or baskets are always appreciated, but you can also send a donation in memory of the loved one or even order a custom tribute book. No matter what you choose, be sure to express your condolences in a thoughtful way.

Utah-based Security National Financial Corporation released their 2024 financial results earlier this week and CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board of the company Scott Quist made the following prepared remarks in the company’s press release on the subject:

“2024 marked another year of solid progress for our Company. Our Life Insurance Segment had its best operational year ever, delivering a 25% improvement over 2023 which was its previous best year ever.”

 

“2024 was our Cemetery and Mortuary Segment’s best year ever improving 5% over 2023 which was its previous best year ever. “

 

“It is instructive to note that our Utah based Cemetery and Mortuary group has received the “Best in State” award for the last 7 consecutive years, a very significant recognition of the quality services we provide.”

 

“Our Mortgage Segment delivered a solid performance, decreasing its loss by over $11 million dollars (64%) while increasing its revenue by over 8%. The mortgage industry as a whole continues to be profit challenged”

 

You can access the company’s press release on their 2024 financials here.

• For the year 2024 company revenues increased by 5.0% over 2023.  The company took in revenues of $334.5 million in 2024 as compared to $318.5 million in 2023.

• Earnings before Taxes for the company increased 109% for the same comparable period.  Earnings before Taxes in 2024 totaled $34.1 million in 2024 as compared to $16.3 million for 2023.

• The Cemetery/Mortuary division increased their revenue 3.4% to $33.0 million on the year as compared to $31.9 million for 2023.  Earnings before taxes for the Cemetery/Mortuary division increased by 4.9% to $8.86 million for 2024.

• Security National Financial Corporation has a presence in the Death Care business world operating funeral homes, cemeteries, preneed insurance, and insurance assignment businesses.  They operate outside the Death Care business world via their Mortgage segment.

Disclaimer–The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a shareholder of Security National Financial Corporation.

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

It was less than two years ago in August 2023 when I heard the news about the fire that ravaged Lahaina and some other areas of Maui.  Turning on the news the scene looked like something I’d never seen in my lifetime and almost apocalyptic.  The Maui fire of 2023 destroyed approximately 6,271 acres and as I write this article as of Thursday (January 9) afternoon it is expected that the fires burning in the Los Angeles area are expected to consume from 27,000 to over 40,000 acres of California.

Truly, it is a tragedy of major proportions and people of that area are going to need help getting back on their feet.  And I’m guessing that there will be more than a couple of death care establishments and cemeteries that will have had their properties ravaged by the fire also.  In my opinion, it is imperative that NFDA and all colleagues help out in this situation where we can.

These fires have also brought a stark reality back to me and the days when I operated our business   —   that is, “Is your funeral home protected via insurance should something like this happen to you?”

Virtually every business has property and casualty insurance and, especially in this day of online business, it is very easy to re-new policies in effect from year to year.  While that can be well and good, and pretty simple, ask yourself if doing that is a sound way to know that you are properly insured?

Insurance is a simple concept. . .where the risks of many are pooled for the potential loss of one.  However, the actual reality of what your policy covers is not a simple statement.

In Minnesota we are fortunate that our MFDA (Minnesota Funeral Directors Association) puts on regional meetings every year in September.  Those meetings give practicing funeral directors and funeral home owners the ability to come together with our state association staff and the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science staff as well as representatives from our association’s preferred providers of Preneed insurance and property and casualty insurance.  It’s a great place to learn with a question and answer period with all providers.

Just this September a question was asked of the property and casualty insurer.  The question was about how much value to put on your building’s insurance policy.  The answer was interesting, and won’t surprise you as it was said that inflation and values had skyrocketed in the last couple of years and a “fixed property value” might leave one short of rebuilding money in the case of a loss.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

It was suggested that you really need to know what a “replacement cost” for your facility might be and make sure that your policy was structured in a way that you would have enough insurance value to rebuild.  Simply from cumulative inflation since 2021 America has seen an approximately 22% increase in costs.  So, most simply, a building that you think would be worth $1 million might actually cost at least $1,220,000 if completely destroyed.

It sounds simple, but evidently the definition of “replacement cost” in a policy does not always mean what you might think “replacement cost” may mean.

I don’t pretend to be an expert on insurance, but that simple fact tells me that a good sit-down discussion with my agent discussing values, potential premiums, and all the available options, including deductible amounts should be an annual occurence.  And make sure that you understand what the nomenclature of the policy actually means. . . . . necessary insurance is too vital to your operation to not understand what you are paying for.

In my opinion, there is more than enough to worry about with a potential fire, tornado, hurricane, or water loss without having to worry about whether your insurance, and the nomenclature in the policy will cover the loss.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, now is probably a pretty good time to say a prayer for our colleagues in the affected area of California.  They are probably in the process of figuring out how to get their businesses back up and running at the same time that client families also need their help in taking care of their loved ones.

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA):  Click here to learn how to help our California colleagues

Information from the Red Cross on obtaining help or giving to the California Fire relief effort.

Related —  Here are a couple of related articles written in the last part of 2024 about the Property and Casualty insurance situation moving forward.  It’s amazing to me how the outlook may have changed so much, because of the current California situation, in the short time since these articles were written:

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

We are blessed to live in a country which allows for religious freedom.  And, when you work as a funeral director helping those who have lost loved ones to death, it’s a privilege to help even when those client families don’t believe as you do.

However, have you ever thought about those that don’t have your faith and wondered what are they looking forward to?  In my Christian faith I’ve learned that death is not the end. . . it is the beginning of a new and glorious life to come.

As I’ve aged I tell all my friends who will listen that I certainly have lived an abundant life. . . .and, it’s a life filled with gratitude about what others, and most of all, Jesus Christ did for me.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

As funeral directors we live our lives intermingled with those who are grieving.  If Easter, which signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the most important day of the Christian calendar, then Christmas, the day of Christ’s birth is the close second.

Today reminds me of all the times that I volunteered to be on call on Christmas Eve. .  . . it was done as a favor to my colleagues because our family celebrated in our home community and did not have to travel like some of my colleagues.

I didn’t mind getting death calls on Christmas Eve.  It always made me feel closer to Christ — because I was in the world helping the people that needed it at that time.  I believed that is what Christ wanted me to be doing at that time– helping my fellow man.

So, to those of you on call and working Easter Sunday.   I know it is a bummer that you cannot spend the whole day with your family.  However, know that what you are doing today on those calls is being the hands of Christ in your community.

Consider yourself lucky that you have the privilege to care for those in need. . . . . what could be more fulfilling.

Christ is Risen. . . . .He is Risen indeed!!!!

Have a Happy Easter!!!

*If this article looks familiar it is a reprint from our 2023 Good Friday article. . . I figured it was worth hearing again.

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