PlotBox Acquires MIS, Strengthening U.S. Market Position and Expanding Access to Modern Deathcare Solutions

BOSTON, MA & BATESVILLE, IN – October 15, 2025 – PlotBox, a leading cloud-native platform for cemetery and funeral home management, announced it has acquired HMIS (also known as MIS) from Batesville.

MIS was acquired by Batesville in 2012. This acquisition expands PlotBox’s presence in the United States and gives MIS customers a partner focused on modern solutions for deathcare operators.

MIS is a management platform serving funeral and cemetery operators across North America, streamlining operations from first call through aftercare. The software unifies case management, scheduling, arrangements, billing, and reporting, with integrations for accounting, payments, and partner tools.

The announcement follows a year of strategic growth for PlotBox, including a new investment from Serent Capital, the launch of enhanced e-commerce and operational automation capabilities, and a much-anticipated entry into the funeral home segment. 

The addition of MIS customers aligns with PlotBox’s broader mission to help deathcare providers simplify workflows, improve transparency, and deliver better experiences for the families they serve.

“At PlotBox, we believe funeral and cemetery professionals deserve technology that meets the complexity of their work and supports their commitment to service,” said Sean McAllister, CEO of PlotBox. “We are excited to welcome MIS customers and provide them with the innovation, reliability, and partnership they need to operate with confidence.”

PlotBox is committed to providing exceptional service and support to the MIS customer base while also giving customers access to PlotBox’s full software suite, which integrates mapping, records, sales, finance, inventory, and reporting into a single cloud-based system. The platform is used by a growing number of cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes to streamline daily operations and scale with evolving business needs.

PlotBox will feature its expanded funeral offering at the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago, October 26-29, 2025, where attendees can engage with the team, explore product capabilities, and hear from operators using PlotBox to modernize their operations.

About PlotBox

PlotBox is a leading cloud-native software solution for cemeteries, funeral homes, and crematories. It’s an all-in-one platform that combines mapping, records, sales, inventory, finance, and analytics in one intuitive system. PlotBox helps deathcare organizations simplify operations, improve performance, and better serve their communities. The company supports customers across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Learn more at www.plotbox.com

About Serent Capital

Serent Capital is a growth-focused private equity firm that invests in founder-led, technology and tech-enabled service businesses. With deep expertise in software, Serent partners with high-potential companies to drive growth through strategic and operational support. Founded in 2008, Serent has supported more than 60 companies across sectors including healthcare, education, government, and business services. Learn more at www.serentcapital.com 

Funeral Directors Life Names Alex Farnstrom as Market Center Manager

ABILENE, TX — Funeral Directors Life is proud to announce Alex Farnstrom as Market Center Manager for the Western region. Alex will serve funeral homes on the West Coast, along with Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

“We are very excited to add Alex to our Sales Management Team,” said Kris Seale, President and CEO of Funeral Directors Life. “Alex has more than 30 years of experience in the funeral profession and knows what it means to own and operate a funeral home. He’ll be of great service to our clients in the West.”

For more than 25 years, Alex owned and operated Farnstrom Mortuaries in Oregon. He led his business to
become one of the premier funeral homes in his area, serving more than 1,200 families a year across five
locations. This hands-on experience will allow Alex to help funeral homes achieve unprecedented success.

“Alex has a deep understanding of the funeral profession and will be a tremendous asset to our partners,” said Eric Espinosa, Director of Sales Development for Funeral Directors Life. “His insights into what makes a great partner will help us continue to elevate our service and support.”

Alex holds a degree in Funeral Service Education Science along with funeral director and embalmer licenses in California, Kansas, Oregon, and Texas.

“I look forward to meeting with funeral professionals, learning about their aspirations, and helping them achieve their goals,” Alex said. “I hope to utilize my years of experience as an owner and executive to be an extension of their business. I have no doubts this is going to be a wonderful experience!”

About Funeral Directors Life

Funeral Directors Life is focused on being the best, most-respected provider of service to the funeral profession with preneed funeral solutions, financial services, and technology offerings. We help our clients improve their businesses and grow their profitability through our full-service solutions. Your business requires more than preneed solutions – that’s why we’re more than a preneed company. For more information about Funeral Directors Life, visit us online at www.fdl.co.

This article from Yahoo Finance will inform you that the major indexes of the American stock market all closed at record highs last Friday.  During the same week the 3rd Quarter of the year closed and the Funeral Director Daily Death Care Index (DCI) reported a close that indicated a 3.60% increase for the year-to-date.

Below you will see a chart of the individual four stocks that make up the Funeral Director Daily DCI Index and how they have performed in comparison to the major indexes for the Year-to-Date (YTD) 2025 up to the end of the 3rd Quarter on September 30 2025.  You will notice that the DCI trails every sector with the possible exception of Consumer Staples for stock price appreciation for YTD 2025.  One possible reason for this, however, is the small sample size of public companies with at least a portion of their business in Death Care.

As you can see funeral home, cemetery, and crematory operators Carriage Services and Service Corporation International have had positive results, as far as stock price apprecition goes,  so far in 2025 while the other two members of the DCI, Matthews International and Security National Financial Corporation have seen their stock price drop during the year.  It’s difficult to know why, but both Matthews International and Security National Financial have other operations outside of Death Care which may be holding back their stock appreciation in what has been, as noticed by the stock index gains, a rather robust period for public stock investors.

Market Segments performance for YTD 2025 up to September 30.  Source:  LPL Research Factset

How About the Long-Term:  Just for the fun of it I went back to October 3, 2015, and looked at price appreciation (as recorded on Yahoo Finance) of the major indexes and also of the stocks that make up the Death Care Index.  If you had had $10,000 of either the index or a particular stock on October 3, 2015 and still held the index or stock, here’s what those indexes or stocks would be worth today (10/03/2025):

• Dow Jones Industrials Index:  $28,502
• Nasdaq Composite Index:  $50,780
• S&P 500 Index:  $34,992

And, here’s a chart of the Death Care Index values for the that hypothetical $10,000 investment as of October 3, 2015:

Related Information:

Disclaimer:  The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a shareholder of Service Corporation International, Carriage Services, and Security National Financial Corporation.

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PLPA Short Course 2025 Equips Deathcare Professionals to Lead in the Growing Pet Loss Market

STERLING, Va. (August 7, 2025) – The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), in partnership with the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA), is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the 2025 PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course, held July 18–20 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

The two-day program brought together funeral service professionals, crematory operators, and pet loss providers for a focused, hands-on curriculum aimed at integrating pet loss services into traditional deathcare operations. Topics ranged from compliance and crematory care to family engagement and business development.

“This course isn’t just about pet loss—it’s about leadership in a space that demands empathy, innovation, and thoughtful integration. Serving pets is serving people,” said Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP, PLPA Committee Chair. “Attendees left with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a deepened sense of mission.”

Educational highlights included sessions on leveraging AI for compassionate service (Pierce Dempsey), emerging legal risks (Poul Lemasters, Esq.), how pet cremation can serve as a bridge to preplanning discussions (Tony Armogida), and operational best practices in pet cremation (Larry Stuart Jr.). Attendees also explored cemetery development strategies with John Bolton, CCE, CCrE, CSE CXE, phone etiquette with Nicki Wiedeman, CSE, and pet program development with Andrew Parsell.

“This course demonstrates what’s possible when you combine operational excellence with heartfelt service,” said ICCFA Executive Director Nadira Baddeliyanage. “It’s one of the many ways ICCFA is helping our members meet the evolving needs of today’s families.”

“As the pet loss profession continues to evolve, this course offers timely education and practical tools,” said ICCFA President Bob Gordon, Jr., CCE. “It’s encouraging to see our members thinking proactively about how to serve pet families with both compassion and innovation.”

In response to strong attendee feedback, the ICCFA and the PLPA are expanding next year’s program to a three-day format, returning to the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta. The 2026 PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course will take place July 17–20, 2026.

For more information and future updates, visit iccfa.com/pet-short-course. 

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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.

Navigating the Precious Metals Market in 2025: Insights for Crematories

In 2024, the precious metals market experienced significant fluctuations that had a notable impact on industries across the board, including the death care sector. For crematories, understanding and adapting to these changes is no longer optional – it’s essential for staying competitive and maximizing profitability. With gold prices skyrocketing from $2,000 to nearly $2,800 an ounce and palladium stabilizing around $950, the dynamics of the market demand careful attention. As we move into 2025, crematories have a unique opportunity to capitalize on these trends by leveraging strategic practices and transparent partnerships.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating the precious metals market in 2025, with actionable insights tailored for crematory operators.

The State of the Precious Metals Market

Precious metals like gold and palladium have long been considered a hedge against economic uncertainty. In 2024, gold prices reached unprecedented heights, fueled by global market volatility. Palladium, while not as dramatic in its fluctuations, maintained a solid position in the $1,000-$1,200 range after years of volatility. These price movements are more than just numbers; they represent an opportunity for crematories to rethink how they handle recycling and metal recovery.

I recently sat down to interview Kevin McKay, from Cremation Recycling, the leader in cremation recycling, about this topic. He emphasized that many funeral directors and crematory operators overlook the importance of monitoring these markets. “If you had five ounces of gold two years ago, it was worth $1,700 an ounce,” McKay explained. “Today, those same five ounces are worth $2,700 an ounce. Simple math shows you made $5,000 more just because of market changes.” This highlights why it’s critical to stay informed about precious metal trends and adjust practices accordingly.

The Importance of Comprehensive Reporting

One of the cornerstones of navigating the precious metals market effectively is having access to detailed and transparent reporting. For crematories, reporting isn’t just about knowing how much metal was recovered; it’s about understanding the market prices at the time of recovery and how those numbers translate to profitability.

“When crematories partner with us, they’re not just getting a recycler,” McKay noted. “They’re getting a coach and consultant who dives deep into the reporting side of things.” Accurate reporting allows crematories to:

• Track Performance Over Time: By comparing year-over-year data, operators can identify trends and make informed decisions.
• Understand Market Impact: Reports showing fluctuations in recovered metal values help operators grasp the financial implications of market shifts.
• Enhance Transparency: Clear reporting builds trust with stakeholders and demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices.

Strategies for Crematories in 2025

As we enter 2025, crematories need a proactive approach to ensure they’re maximizing returns from precious metals. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Stay Informed About Market Trends

Keeping an eye on gold, palladium, and other precious metal markets is crucial. Operators should:

• Subscribe to industry newsletters (like COnnectingDIrectors.com) and market reports.
• Partner with recyclers who provide regular updates and insights.
• Attend webinars or conferences focused on market trends.

By staying informed, crematories can time their recycling efforts to align with favorable market conditions.

2. Partner with Transparent Recyclers

Not all recyclers are created equal. McKay’s approach—inviting clients to “test us and compare”—underscores the importance of working with a recycler who prioritizes transparency. When choosing a partner, look for:

• Detailed Assay Reports: Ensure the recycler provides a breakdown of recovered metals and their corresponding market values.
• Proven Track Record: Work with companies that have demonstrated consistent performance and integrity.
• Educational Support: The best recyclers educate their clients, helping them make informed decisions.

3. Conduct Comprehensive Comparisons

McKay shared an example of a client who conducted a year-long comparison involving multiple recyclers. By sending two months’ worth of materials to different recyclers and analyzing the results, the client was able to identify the best partner based on recovery rates, reporting quality, and customer service.

If a year-long comparison isn’t feasible, crematories can still gain valuable insights by sending a few loads to different recyclers and evaluating their performance.

4. Optimize Internal Processes

Efficiency in collecting and processing materials is key to maximizing returns. Crematories should:

• Invest in Proper Equipment: Tools like processors can improve metal recovery rates.
• Train Staff: Ensure employees understand the importance of proper handling and collection techniques.
• Review Procedures: Regularly assess and update processes to align with best practices.

The Role of Education and Advocacy

Education has played a transformative role in the death care industry’s adoption of recycling practices. Ten years ago, McKay recalled attending his first death care meeting, where the concept of recycling was far from mainstream. Today, it’s rare to find a crematory without a recycling program in place.

This shift didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of consistent efforts to educate operators about the financial and environmental benefits of recycling. McKay’s commitment to transparency and education—through articles, webinars, and one-on-one consultations—has helped demystify the process and empower crematories to make informed choices.

“Once people feel like they’re not totally in the dark, they have a lot more confidence in approaching anything,” McKay observed. This underscores the importance of ongoing education in 2025 and beyond.

Challenges and Opportunities in 2025

While the precious metals market presents significant opportunities, it also comes with challenges. Global economic uncertainty and the rapid pace of technological change require crematories to stay adaptable. Additionally, increased competition among recyclers means operators must be vigilant in evaluating potential partners.

However, these challenges are also opportunities. By embracing transparency, investing in education, and optimizing internal processes, crematories can position themselves as leaders in the industry. The key is to approach these efforts strategically and with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Navigating the precious metals market in 2025 requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and partnership. For crematories, staying informed about market trends, prioritizing transparency, and investing in education are essential steps to maximize profitability. By adopting these practices, operators can turn market fluctuations into opportunities and set the stage for long-term success.

As McKay put it, “The more you know, the better equipped you are to make decisions that benefit your business.” With the right approach, crematories can thrive in an ever-changing market and make 2025 a year of growth and innovation.

Right in the middle of the United States’ National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) annual convention in New Orleans is probably a good time to drop information from a press release that we received in mid-September.

That press release, which you can access here, came from PR Newswire with information provided by Allied Market Research.  In all honesty, the press release was more than likely intended as a “teaser” for purchasing a more detailed report compiled by Allied Market Research.

However, the press release provided elements of the company’s research that we feel is important for death care professionals to be made aware of.  And, part of that research indicated that the Global funeral service market will grow at an estimated 3.8% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) through 2033.  If that was to become true then, according to the press release, the Global funeral service market would grow from $61.3 billion to $88.6 billion over the next decade.

Here’s what the press release states as the prime drivers of this projected growth:

1. A Rise in Geriatric population
2. Cultural shifts toward personalization and meaningful ceremonies driving demand for customized funeral services
3. Technological advancements offering opportunities for innovation in service delivery such as online planning and virtual attendance
4. Environmental consciousness

Here are some other quotes from the report:

 

• “The burial services market is witnessing a significant shift toward green burials”

• “The shift toward celebrating life, rather than traditional mourning, is leading to more personalized and unique services.”

• “The “immediate need” segment holds the major share of the market. . and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. . . . However, “the pre-planned segment” is projected to manifest a higher CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2033.  Pre-planned funeral service are increasingly popular. . . .”

• “The “Offline segment” held a major share of the market in 2023. . and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.  The “Online funeral services market” is expanding rapidly. . and is projected to manifest a higher CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2033.”

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  If you work in the death care profession daily I’m guessing that none of these points are surprising to you.  However, in a business profession where sometimes change happens slowly, you must realize that change does take place.

And, because change does take place, your place of business has to be ready for those changes that will be, more and more, sought out by the consumer public as time moves forward.

If you do nothing else you need to be looking into how you will be providing the growing services to your potential consumers.  From my point of view, it is apparent that a traditional funeral home that wants to continue to be a leading provider of death care services needs to look into the following:

• How do you provide options that “Celebrate Life” rather than “Mourn Death”?
• How do you move to a growing online presence and “self-administration” for some clientele while at the same time offering that personal touch to those that continue to want “Offline” care?
• How do you take your Preneed program into the 21st Century for those potential clients that want everything “online”?

I’m pretty certain that “taking care of clientele” will continue to be what funeral homes do.  However, “being taken care of” may mean different things to different individuals who have suffered loss and funeral homes need to know that they are prepared for as many situations as possible.

If you happen to be in New Orleans at the NFDA Convention make sure you spend part of today and tomorrow on the Expo floor and visiting with those vendors that may be able to help your funeral home get to that next level of service that future clients will be expecting.

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The American stock market closed on Thursday, March 28, 2024, for the last time in the calendar of the 2024 First Quarter.  If you look at the results so far for the overall market for these first 3 months you would have to say that the results of the 1st Quarter as to the growth has been very good —  the Dow Jones Industrials have gained at a 5.6% clip, NASDAQ at an 8.0% rate, and the S&P 500 has increased right at 10%.  It would be probably pretty correct to say that anybody who has had investments in equities has had a pretty good quarter.

As per the graphic shown below it has been almost all segments of the economy that has shown equity growth.  Communication and Technology sectors, buoyed by the emergence of the future potential of Artificial Intelligence in our world, have seen incredible 15.6% and 12.5% increases respectively and even “old-world” economics of Energy and Industrials have grown at an over 10% rate.

The laggard of the market has been Real Estate as it is the only “major” sector to be in negative growth territory.

What about Death Care services?  Where do they land?

In these lists of “Major” sectors I am guessing that Deth Care would be a subset of Healthcare, Consumer staples, or Consumer diecretionary purchases.  And, those sectors are among the smallest gainers — although growth at 4.8% of higher for a single quarter is still pretty good.

However, when you look at the public death care stocks by themselves as a unit, you will find that they actually had a loss of 1.1% for the quarter.  The Funeral Director Daily Death Care Index (DCI) which consists of one share of stock for each of the five public companies in the Death Care realm — Matthews International, Security National Financial Corporation, Service Corporation International, Carriage Services, and Park Lawn Corporation — slid from a combined price of $154.10 on December 31, 2023, to $152.52 on March 28, 2024. . . . a quarterly loss of 1.1%.

Here’s the individual companies and their stock prices on those dates:

Why is Death Care trailing other sectors? —  That’s a really good question but I think there are some reasons why investors have overlooked Death Care as an investible growth vehicle.  Some reasons may be valid and some may not be, but here’s what I think.

Small Sample Sizes —  There are only five companies that comprise the Funeral Director Daily Death Care Index.  There are literally hundreds of companies that comprise the other asset sectors listed above.  That makes a great deal of difference. I believe that the DCI sector is not so much a sector. . as it is the “additive summation” of a few “individual” public companies involved in Death Care.  I also believe that these companies are looked at “individually” for their promise rather than the DCI looked at as a “sector” for its promise.

Differing companies — The public Death Care companies are different from each other and really don’t fit into a “box” of sameness.  For instance, Matthews International, in my opinion is much more like an industrial company being a manufacturer and supplier to, not only the funeral home and cemetery markets, but to other markets as well.  Security National Financial Corporation, while owning and operating funeral homes, is also in the finance,  mortgage, and insurance businesses.

And, while SCI, Carriage Services, and Park Lawn Corporation are all in the funeral, cremation, and cemetery businesses, they have different structures, sizes, acquisition strategies, ambitions, and balance sheets which are somewhat a blueprint of how they operate.  So, while they “do” the same thing, the companies are all different.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Challenges investors see in Death Care —  I owned and operated a funeral home and know that there are daily challenges in operations.  Efficiency was the “big key” for me and I always was working to improve the margins between what I could sell services for and what they cost me to provide. . . . and we didn’t have an increasingly expensive overhead.

From my point of view, I think potential investors see funeral homes as being challenged right now with exploding overhead expenses — everything from costs of labor, to costs of loans, to costs of utilities.  And, on the other end of the spectrum they see a growth in lower cost services such as Direct Cremation with no services challenging the ability to grow revenues being brought in.

Furthermore, when you look at the corporate funeral home operations they also have the challenge of containing overhead expenses at the corporate level.

Finally, at the end of the day, it is about profits.  My dad has been gone for 47 years but he used to tell me as a teenager, “Stock prices are eventually all a function of profits or profit potential.”   When I look a the Seeking Alpha Income Statements from the funeral home/cemetery operators — SCI, Carriage Services, and Park Lawn Corporation — all of them show less “Earnings from Continuing Operations” for the year 2023 than they did in 2022.  That also presents some challenges.

There are some positives, however.  First of all, Death Care is relatively stable in an environment where many investors are looking for stability.  And, while margins are lessening there is still the anticipation of a higher number of death calls coming from the aging of the Baby Bomer population.

So, some of the Death Care stocks have had a positive 1st Quarter and some have had a negative 1st Quarter in companies that virtually do the same thing.  Why?   I believe, in those cases, the stock price is about history and potential of the individual company more so than the industry or profession as a whole.

Related article — How the U.S. stock market rocketed through the First Quarter.  Reuters

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