Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions to Showcase Innovations and New Products at NFDA  Convention 

(Pittsburgh, PA) Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions will be exhibiting its industry-leading products and solutions at the National Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention and Expo in Chicago October 27-29. It will be the first NFDA convention since Matthews Aurora acquired The Dodge Company, and both companies look forward to welcoming customers at the show.  

Today’s Funeral Homes are facing urgent business challenges and require proven solutions that deliver tangible results. Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions is focused on providing the tools and strategies that help Funeral Homes overcome these challenges and meet the expectations of today’s families. Among the solutions to be highlighted at NFDA:  

• Our new FamilyTouch Kiosk showroom tool allows families to find and customize the perfect burial and cremation products to help create a personal and remarkable goodbye. The interactive touchscreen can be tailored with each funeral home’s merchandising and pricing strategies.  

• Among the caskets to be featured at the show are our NEW Nexus casket with sleek lines and contemporary matte finish, as well as the NEW oversized version of our highly popular Barnwood casket. We will also feature four other popular caskets including our Allegiance casket with a dedicated Veterans display. 

• Matthews Technology Solutions will feature our proprietary Arranger, Advisor and Family Connections programs, and we will be demonstrating the new release of our technology solutions suite in our booth. Our technology programs help customers enhance their arrangement process by putting service front and center, simplifying merchandise  selections, and enabling families to make arrangements from the comfort of their own  home. Funeral Homes using Arranger have experienced a 10-30% increase in revenue per call.

• Cherished Memories is Matthews Aurora’s new cremation e-commerce web site designed to help Funeral Homes compete with online retailers and retain more merchandise sales within their firm.  

• Radiance Diamonds by Matthews are stunning lab-created diamonds made from a loved one’s cremated remains, lock of hair, or other carbon. Diamonds are offered in a range of sizes and colors to suit any taste and budget.  

• Matthews Aurora will feature a wide selection of brand NEW urns, memorial jewelry, and gifts as part of our I’ll Remember You® cremation merchandise program. Stop by, see what’s new, and pick up a copy of our new I’ll Remember You® catalog.  

• Matthews Funeral Funding helps Funeral Homes get paid faster by accepting life insurance policies for payment.  

• Matthews Cemetery Products will showcase its innovative cremation memorialization solutions including glass-front niches, Reflection Suites^TM, Cremation Destinations cremation gardens, granite memorialization solutions, and bronze statuary by Caggiati.  

• The Dodge Company will feature its new Green Embalming Solution Kit, among its many other offerings. This highly requested new product is formaldehyde-free, field-tested for over two years, and provides preservation for six weeks or more. Freedom Art and Freedom Cav are both included in the kit and are Green Burial Certified. Stop by Dodge’s booth to  learn more. 

Matthews Aurora and Dodge look forward to welcoming Funeral Homes from across the country to our booths #1542 and #851 at the National Funeral Directors Association Convention and Expo next week!  

About Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions 

Matthews Aurora™ Funeral Solutions is committed to helping families move from grieving to remembrance by providing products of superior craftsmanship and solutions that meet the needs of every family who wish to honor and remember their loved one. As a leading provider to the funeral home industry, we offer our customers an extensive variety of high-quality wood, metal and cremation caskets, urns, keepsakes, memorial jewelry, stationery, technology solutions, and other products and solutions. We also offer a full suite of embalming products and other solutions via The Dodge Company. The Matthews Aurora™ Funeral Solutions team is focused on providing our funeral home customers with outstanding service and support, helping your firm better serve the families in your community. For more information about how we can help your firm, please contact your Matthews Aurora™ Funeral Service Consultant or call us at 1-800-457-1111.

This information (with photos) from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery announces the opening of their recently completed Gower Mausoleum.  Here’s a paragraph from the cemetery’s recent announcement:

“Hollywood Forever is honored to announce the opening of the Gower Mausoleum, a new architectural landmark in Los Angeles and the tallest mausoleum in the United States. Rising five stories above our historic grounds, this contemporary structure provides space for more than 50,000 loved ones in crypts and niches, ensuring Hollywood Forever may continue serving families for generations to come.”

In a city and area that has some unique architecture such as the Hollywood hill sign, the Los Angeles Airport design, and the round former Capitol Records building, the Gower Mausoleum will be the newest talk of the town.

The Hollywood Forever website also makes note the high-rise mausoleum will be the tallest mausoleum in the United States and it is expected to become a “cultural landmark and a sanctuary of remembrance.”

Premium Products —  I think we may be moving through a period in time where many economists believe we are in a “K”-shaped economy —  meaning that the economy is not the same for all.  Meaning that some people with assets are getting more assets and some people without assets are not growing any savings or assets at all —  that’s the “K”-shaped economy.

I also think that in an economy where cremation and not traditional burial is the norm that cemeteries established generations ago with the idea of selling burial plots in 4 foot by 6 feet dimensions might need to think outside the box and innovate their product mix.

When you look at this page titled “Hollywood Forever Premium Services” it appears that is exactly what Hollywood Forever is doing to maximize the sales revenue of their 55 acres.  Here’s a few (of many) items listed on that page with the cemetery’s pricing for each item:

• Private Family Mausoleums:  $50,000 to $3.5 million
• Sylvan Lake Peninsula locations:  $3.85 million  (can be developed as a place for memorial statuary, sarcophagi, a private cremation estate for a family for many generations, or simply a burial space for those who deserve the best.)
• Bronze Statue in the Garden of Legends:  Starting at $95,000
• Sky Terraces at the Gower Mausoleum:  Starting at $1 million

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I think cemeteries and funeral homes that realize the burgeoning “K”-shaped American economy can make adjustments to reel in greater profits.  Maybe pinpointing “specialized-premium” marketing efforts to zip codes or neighborhoods that have a propensity to purchase greater services could have an effect on the size of the average individual sale moving forward.

Pinpointing these neighborhoods or areas might be the perfect use for Artificial Intelligence in funeral and cemetery marketing.

Just last week Delta Airlines indicated that for the first time ever their premium sales will be going over their economy sales.  Here’s what was said in their announcement, “The airline could soon earn more from premium seating than from economy for the first time,” according to the airline’s president, Glen Hauenstein. He continued, “We see that there are many, many more opportunities in premium in the coming years.”

I think that is an indication that “the experience matters”.  And I think that Hollywood Forever is learning that the “experience” of using a cemetery is more valued than simply buying a 4 x 6 foot plot for burial.  It is interesting to note that Hollywood Forever Cemetery is actually offering free Direct Cremation (value of $3,450) to those that purchase a cremation niche, tree memorial, or plot by a certain date.  It is also interesting to think about how that type of practice by memorialization companies might affect the business of Direct Cremation providers going forward.

Service Corporation International’s CEO Thomas Ryan made this comment during the company’s 2nd Quarter 2025 Earnings Call in July that insinuates that they see the experiential value movement also, “comparable preneed cemetery sales production increased by almost $19 million or over 5%, driven by a healthy increase in large sales as well as a modest increase in core sales.”  (Emphasis by Funeral Director Daily)

I think the experiential value shown here could help bring a turn-around to the “lower revenue per services” if approached correctly by funeral homes.  There seems to be no doubt that just as I enjoy the premium experience of reclining seats at a movie theatre as compared to the old fixed-position seats, that some clientele of death care, services, and memorialization, are willing to pay premium prices for the “right experiences”. . . . . The question might be, “Is your funeral home or cemetery willing to offer those experiences?”

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Woodland Cemetery Partners with Doric Products to Add Custom Columbaria

New Units Blend Seamlessly with Historic Landscape

DAYTON, OH – Doric Products, Inc., a trusted leader in funeral, cemetery and memorial products, has completed its first custom columbarium installation at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum—one of America’s oldest and most historic rural garden cemeteries.

Founded in 1841, Woodland serves as a cultural, botanical, and educational landmark in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. Its Romanesque gateway, chapel, and administrative office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the 200-acre arboretum features over 3,000 trees.

“We are honored to have been selected by Woodland for this project,” said Derek Maher, Business Development Manager for Doric Products, Inc., who led the initiative. “To contribute to a site of such historic and cultural significance is both a privilege and a responsibility we take seriously.”

The custom-designed columbaria were constructed at Doric’s facility in Corbin, Kentucky, under the supervision of experienced artisans to ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship. The final units reflect both modern functionality and a timeless aesthetic that complements Woodland’s historic setting.

Sean J. O’Regan, President and CEO of Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, praised the collaboration. “From planning to installation, Doric’s team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and an understanding of our goals for both historic preservation and contemporary development,” O’Regan said. “They were responsive, flexible, and committed to delivering a product that exceeded our expectations in design and quality.”

Maher, with more than two decades of experience in columbarium design, construction, and cemetery operations, ensured that every aspect of the project aligned with Woodland’s standards.

“Doric’s professionalism and ability to coordinate with our staff, contractors, and landscape architects made them an ideal partner,” O’Regan added. “We look forward to future collaborations and would confidently recommend their services to others in the industry.”

Jim Wiens, President of Doric Products, Inc., noted the broader significance of the installation. “Our columbarium line is designed with today’s families in mind—balancing tradition with the needs of contemporary memorialization,” he said. “Using premium materials and skilled craftsmanship, we aim to create spaces that will be valued for generations.”

For more information, contact Doric Products, Inc. at (888) 553-6742 and ask for Derek Maher.

About Doric:  Doric Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of burial vaults, cremation vaults, and memorialization products.  Distributed by highly trained professionals throughout the United States and Canada, Doric remains committed to creating beautiful final resting places for families and their loved ones.

#  #  #Cemetery Photo Caption:  Crafted with superior materials and time-tested craftsmanship, Doric columbaria’s durable construction and elegant design reflect a commitment to quality that aligns with Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum’s long-standing tradition of care, ensuring these columbaria will remain a meaningful and lasting presence for families and future generations alike.

Starmark® Cremation Products Acquires Chateau Urns

RICHMOND, IN, June 12, 2025 – Starmark, the cremation solutions leader, has announced the acquisition of Chateau Urns in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The addition of the Chateau Urns line expands Starmark’s innovative range of funeral products, providing more urn solutions to customers. 

Chateau Urns was established in 2009 alongside a cigar humidor company and became a family-owned and operated business in 2016. Brandi Combs, owner of Chateau Urns, recognized that due to the lack of options on the market for crafted display urns, funeral homes were purchasing humidors for their families to use as a memento set or a decorative piece to display on their mantle, reminding them of their loved ones. “This realization showed us the need in funeral service to create a more personalized urn with unique designs to represent loved ones passed.” 

“At the start of Chateau Urns, my primary focus was to create a meaningful product that would play a role in people’s most significant moments. We used high-quality materials, developed unique designs, and aimed to build a brand that was not just a business but a name that people could trust when they wanted to commemorate a loved one. There has been no greater honor than to be a part of those moments in someone’s life.” Combs shared. 

Over the coming months, Starmark plans to build on the already respectable reputation Chateau Urns has established in funeral service. Combs will work closely with Starmark’s team to ensure a seamless transition for Chateau Urns’ customers. 

Through this acquisition, Combs will continue to serve funeral professionals as a team member with Starmark, serving as the Starmark Local Account Representative for the Florida Region. Combs expressed her excitement for her new role, saying, “Like Chateau Urns, Starmark has also built a brand on quality, innovation, trust, and reliability, which is why I could not be more excited to become a part of the Starmark family. By teaming up with Starmark, I look forward to collaborating on creating products and helping funeral professionals focus on what matters most: allowing families to lay their loved ones to rest in a sensible yet dignified and respectful manner.” 

About Starmark: Starmark Cremation Products creates Sensible Solutions® for funeral professionals to help families honor life’s most meaningful moments with grace and respect. It is all about celebrating the lives of loved ones with dignity and care. This belief inspires everything we do at Starmark, allowing funeral service professionals and families to focus on love, legacy, and healing.  For more information, visit: www.starmarkcp.com.

Batesville Prevails in Patent Infringement Case Filed by Vandor; Continues Innovating with New Cremation Products

BATESVILLE, Ind., February 24, 2025 – Following a nearly two-year legal process, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana awarded summary judgment in favor of Batesville Casket Company, LLC and Batesville Services, LLC and against Vandor Group, Inc., rejecting Vandor’s claims that Batesville’s cardboard rental insert, which the company launched in 2011, infringed four of Vandor’s patents. Batesville vigorously disputed Vandor’s allegations of patent infringement and filed its own counterclaims requesting a declaration from the Court that Vandor’s patents were invalid. In its summary judgment decision, the Court agreed with Batesville that all four patents asserted by Vandor were invalid and dismissed Vandor’s infringement claims against Batesville in their entirety. Batesville’s motion for attorney’s fees is now pending before the Court.

“At Batesville, we take pride in bringing innovative and original solutions to market,” said Jenn Parvin, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Batesville. “The Court’s ruling allows us to put these  accusations behind us and continue designing and delivering the high-quality products that funeral professionals need and that families deserve.”

A trusted resource for cremation offerings for more than three decades, Batesville has an expansive assortment of products – from cremation urns and keepsakes to caskets and alternative containers, remembrance jewelry, and memorialization products. The company is continuously expanding and refining its product line to improve quality or performance, enhance functionality or deliver greater value.

“Our goal is not just to provide more products, but to provide the right products at the right price points that meet the functional needs of funeral directors and that deliver value to families,” said Parvin. “We have a lot of exciting things in development as we head into 2025.”

Since late 2023, Batesville has added more than 100 new cremation products, touching all categories, including a growing line of cremation containers, rental caskets and inserts. The company recently launched several products in this line.

• Fairview^™ 27 – the first rental casket offering personalization through the company’s patented LifeView^® panel
• Sureview^™ – a competitively priced rental insert that is stronger and easier to use
• NewPointe^® – entry-level cardboard cremation container

ABOUT BATESVILLE SERVICES, LLC

Batesville (www.Batesville.com) is a recognized leader in the death care industry in North America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, memorialization options and innovative technology solutions. For more than 125 years, Batesville has supported licensed funeral professionals in helping families honor the lives of those they love.^® A history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service, and reliable delivery helped Batesville become – and remain – a market leader.

It’s the middle of the month and time to re-cap the Most Read Stories of the past 30 days on Funeral Director Daily.  Funeral Director Daily tries to publish a variety of information, news, and opinions with a wide variety of Death Care interests.  It looks like we succeeded in the past 30 days as we have news about Experiential sales channels from Service Corporation International and Batesville. . . . we have information on new products introduced. .  . we have information about staff changes at a large Death Care technology firm. . . .and, we have a report from the floor of the recent NFDA Convention in New Orleans.

If you missed any of these Top Read articles — here’s a chance to catch up on what you missed. . .

1. SCI opens “First-of-its-kind” mausoleum
2. CEO Charlie Cole, two other executives leave Tribute Technology
3. Observations from the “Big Easy”
4. Batesville to introduce their “Showroom of the Future” at NFDA
5. Will Cumulus become the standard in digital memorials?

So, there you have it.  Make sure that you catch up on these articles and if you don’t want to miss any more make sure you make use of the space below and sign up for Funeral Director Daily’s “Daily E-mail blast” with our article of the day delivered directly to your inbox.

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

Doric Products, Inc. Adds Columbaria to Product Line

MARSHALL, IL – Doric Products, Inc., an industry leader in providing dignified funeral and cemetery solutions, is proud to introduce the Doric Columbaria product line.  With both standard and custom models, Doric remains committed to creating beautiful final resting places for families and their loved ones.

“Our columbarium product line is our testament to the needs of today’s funeral consumers,” commented Jim Wiens, President of Doric Products, Inc.  “Our use of superior materials along with proven craftsmanship, ensures that a Doric columbarium will remain a cherished part of any memorial area for generations to come.”

Derek Maher, Business Development Manager of Doric Products Inc., is leading the columbaria project. Maher has more than twenty years of experience with columbarium development and cemetery management and is well-versed in the columbarium purchase and installation process, including design, construction, marketing, and maintenance.

“Every columbarium is constructed in Doric’s Corbin, KY facility under the supervision of Doric artisans to ensure the highest quality in every columbarium manufactured,” stated Maher.  “We use only a marine grade aluminum alloy for the superstructure which is engineered to hold well over 1650 lbs. per square foot. 

For more information, contact Doric at (888) 553-6742 and ask for Derek Maher.

About Doric:  Doric Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of burial vaults, cremation vaults, and memorialization products.  Distributed by highly trained professionals throughout the United States and Canada, Doric offers final resting places of exceptional quality, value, and strength. 

5 Funeral Products We CAN’T Believe are Real | FFFW 204

DISCLAIMER: None of the F’s in FFFW stand for “facts.” Enjoy the jokes and satire.

Happy Friday the 13th! If your weather is anything like mine, it looks like we’ve officially entered spooky season on the right day!

Better live streaming for your families

Used by over 2000 funeral homes across the country, MemoryShare makes it easy for you to livestream funerals and help families stay connected.

All you have to do is schedule a stream, share links with friends and family, and go live using your mobile phone! The best part? Your stream and recording are hosted directly on your obituary.

However, livestreaming your funerals doesn’t just impact your families; it helps your funeral home beat local competition with 10% more calls per year, more traffic to your website, and improved SEO.

Want to learn more about how livestreaming can impact your business? Click the link below for a free demo.

Book a Demo

Five Funeral Products that Seem Fake but are REALLY real

We see a lot of wild products in this space—here are a few of my favorites.

Pumpkin Spice Casket

Yes, this is real. From the minds of Titan, the “Pumpkin Spice Casket” seems to be a dope orange casket with a great marketing plan. Check it out here.

Coffin Clubs  

These social groups, where people gather to build and decorate their own coffins, are gaining popularity. Learn more about the movement here.

Bios Urn 

For those looking for an eco-friendly farewell, the Bios Urn turns ashes into trees. Explore more here.

Space Burial

Send your ashes to space with Celestis. Find details here.

Personalized Vinyl Records

 Your ashes can now be pressed into vinyl records with And Vinyly.

Trivia

What year did the United States enact the Funeral Rule, which requires funeral homes to provide a General Price List to consumers?

Click on the right answer, and you’ll see a puppy. Get it wrong, and you’ll see someone hurting themselves.

Answer Choices:

A) 1954
B) 1974
C) 1984

You Otter Be Proud

Here’s some good news going on in the profession.

1. Father-son teamwork helps Aiken funeral home thrive
2. Old Lick Cemetery in Roanoke cleaned, repaired with help of national expert
3. Fifth-generation funeral director Jeff Monreal helps families grieve, celebrate loved ones