It is not surprising that at the same time we are seeing consumer confidence erode in the U.S.A. that we are also finding some statistical data to tell us that funeral client families are more often coming up short with funding to pay their Death Care obligations.  Statistics are somewhat difficult to find on this subject as every state, and sometimes even counties and cities, has a different way of supporting those who cannot pay for Death Care services.

However, a recent article in Funeral Service Times of Great Britain put forward the fact that refusals for Death Care assistance in Great Britain have risen by over 36% in the past 4 years.  The program works according to this article (you may find a paywall here) whereby the British government “provides financial help towards funeral costs for people on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Income Support. Applications may be refused if the claimant is not in receipt of a qualifying benefit, if another family member is considered responsible, or if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) determines that funds are available elsewhere.”

Through a freedom of information request of the British government, GoFundMe found out that the number of refusals has increased, which also leads me to believe that the number of requests has also increased.

The article also stated, “GoFundMe has reported a surge in memorial fundraising. The number of donors to UK (United Kingdom) memorial fundraisers rose by around 25% between 2022 and 2024, while the average donation increased by about 11% year-on-year. The platform said 2025 is on track to record the highest levels of giving since the pandemic.”

The article also pointed out that the average cost of a funeral in Great Britain has risen to US $ 5,294 and that the average request for assistance is for a shortfall of US $ 2,912.  It is also pointed out that the average award given out in the Funeral Expense Payment request is US $ 1,450. . . . about half of what applicants are asking for.

Related Article — U.S. consumer confidence tanks in November as more Americans see financial pain ahead.  Yahoo Finance.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  A couple of things come to mind as I analyze this article.  First of all, through my work with Funeral Director Daily and readers in all English speaking countries, I have come to realize that the business of Death Care is pretty universal in all of these developed countries — especially the ones where Funeral Director Daily has a number of subscribers such as the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

I also realize that the economies of the world seem to operate in the same cyclical up-and-down economic situation.

That leads me to believe that if Great Britain is seeing an increase in people not having the means to pay for Death Care obligations, that same phenomena is probably happening in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

If that is the case and you are going to be serving more and more families who have this limiting “financial depth” situation you need to be able to point them in a direction that can help them so you can get paid and more importantly so that they can get this obligation out from under their lives.

I would suggest that you take a look at the family funeral home designed and owned crowdfunding site Treasured Memories Community Funding.  This company, that you can access information on here, can not only help your Death Care clients raise funds but it can also be used to help non-profits and others in your trade area raise funds for all kinds of great endeavors. . . . and like I said, it is family-funeral home owned, operated, and developed.

Final Thought — This article is a good article on how family poverty in America was designated and the thought process and way of defining  that designation from the 1963 reasoning about how it was defined that may no longer may be applicable.  For instance did you know the definition of how the “U.S. Poverty Line” is calculated?  Here is the definition — “The U.S. poverty line is calculated at three times the minimum food diet in 1963, adjusted for inflation”.

The author makes the point that with all of the other changes in society in the past 62 years, maybe we should have a different definition of how “family poverty” is defined.  I found it interesting to read and thought provoking and thought today’s subject matter was as good a place as any to insert it for your knowledge.

More news from the world of Death Care:

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,201 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily

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

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. 

###

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.

Expand, Integrate, Connect: Register for the 2025 PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course

STERLING, Va. (June 4, 2025) – As more families view pets as members of the family, the demand for compassionate, professional pet loss care continues to grow. The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) is proud to host the 2025 Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA) Pet Loss & Integration Short Course, taking place July 18–20 at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. This intensive, two-day course is designed to equip deathcare professionals with the tools, strategies, and knowledge needed to establish and elevate pet loss services within their businesses.

Led by PLPA Committee Chair Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP, the course will feature a diverse lineup of expert instructors and engaging sessions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing pet program, this event offers actionable strategies and real-world guidance you can bring back to your business right away.

Educational sessions include:

• Developing a Pet Program
  Andrew Parsell, Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium & Parsell Pet Crematorium
  Learn how to identify market needs, establish a pet program from the ground up, and effectively serve the growing “pet parent” community.
• Legal Matters with Pet Burial and Cremation
  Poul Lemasters, Esq., ICCFA General Counsel
  Explore liability risks, regulatory challenges, and how historical trends can help you prepare for the future of pet deathcare.
• Embracing Pet Loss: Bringing Families Back
  Tony Armogida, Global Atlantic Financial Group
  Discover how to transition pet cremation experiences into conversations about human funeral preplanning and deepen family relationships.
• Best Practices in Pet Loss Integration
  Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP, Park Lawn Corporation
  Hear firsthand strategies and lessons learned from integrating a successful pet program into an existing funeral home model.
• Pet Cremation 101: Tips, Tricks, and Operational Best Practices
  Larry Stuart Jr., Raven Plume Consulting
  Enhance your crematory operations with actionable insights on equipment maintenance, respectful handling, eco-conscious practices, and more.
• Creating Spaces for Pets in Your Cemetery Development Plan
  John Bolton, CCE, CCrE, CXE, CSE, Park Lawn Corporation
  Learn how to design and implement pet memorial areas in cemeteries and understand the ROI of this growing service offering.
• Phone Etiquette for the Pet Loss Profession
  Nicki Wiedeman, CSE, Dead Ringers
  Improve your team’s communication with pet families by mastering tone, empathy, pricing discussions, and call follow-up through real call examples.
• Practical Technology in Today’s Business
  Pierce Dempsey, Leaf Cremation
  Get a hands-on look at how to use AI and accessible tech tools to enhance efficiency and deliver more personalized pet aftercare services.

In addition to classroom instruction, attendees will enjoy networking opportunities including a welcome reception, shared meals, and a student night trivia event — all in conjunction with the ICCFA University. It’s the perfect setting to connect with peers and build lasting professional relationships.

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome attendees to this year’s Pet Loss & Integration Short Course,” said Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP. “This program is so important because it gives professionals the knowledge and tools that they need to serve families with the same level of compassion and care we provide for human loss. Serving pets is always about serving people, and by supporting pet families through their grief, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in our communities—and set our businesses apart through thoughtful, professional care.”

Thanks to the generous support of ICCFA Educational Foundation donors, four individuals have been awarded scholarships to attend the PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course without the registration fee. These scholarships help remove financial barriers and expand access to education for professionals committed to serving pet families with care and compassion. The 2025 recipients are:

1. Dorothy Bothwell, Ivy Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home | Ventura, CA
2. Brittany Morgan, Springfield Funeral Home | Kelowna, BC
3. Ashley Nicks, Peaceful Paws Mortuary & Crematory | Lugoff, SC
4. Danny Santiago, Memorial Reefs International | Ocean View, NJ

Registration is open now through July 9, 2025. To learn more or secure your spot, visit iccfa.com/pet-short-course.

###

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.

Exploding Chests & Nutmeg Enemas: A Short History of Papal Embalmings

Last week, the world mourned the death of Pope Francis, one of the kindest, coolest, and most unconventional pontiffs in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Just last year, the Vatican released the Pope’s pared-down plans for his funeral and burial — and like the man himself, they seemed to buck several long-standing traditions. Even the methods used to preserve his body for public display were a little different, but that’s nothing compared to some of the unique, unusual, and downright alarming preservation and embalming techniques used for many of Pope Francis’ predecessors. 

Chasing incorruptibility?

The concept of incorruptibility, or the rare and miraculous natural inability of a deceased body to decay, seems to be reserved for saintly souls — like nuns or popes, for example. Throughout history, though, the caretakers of papal remains have used some unusual methods to ensure that the bodies remain intact indefinitely.

According to the University of Bern’s Nikola Tomov, artificial incorruptibility has been the goal of papal embalmers at least since the 12th century. At first, Tomov writes, bodies were cleaned and rubbed with “heated wine, containing aromatic herbs” or copious amounts of balsam and resins, so that when the pope was clothed, the “resin-soaked fabrics [could] preserve at least the shape of the body.”

From about 1590 to 1914, says Tomov, the internal organs of the popes were removed from the body and buried in a separate location. But during the times that evisceration of a pope’s body was considered taboo, embalmers would do their best to expel as much intestinal contents from the body as possible, using, for example, an enema made of “vinegar, rose oil, alum, myrrh, acadia, and nutmeg.” They would then seal all of the body’s orifices with “cotton, wax, incense, and myrrh, aloe, and nutmeg.”

Experimental treatments and astounding exhumations

Tending to the remains of a pope has to put a lot of pressure on the appointed embalmer, especially when both the expectations of indefinite preservation and any requests of the deceased must be met.  

In 1958, the papal physician famously wanted so badly for Pope Pius XII’s remains to stay pristine that he invented his own embalming technique — and it went horribly wrong. First, he soaked the pope’s body in oils, then sealed it in cellophane, inadvertently allowing the buildup of gases both outside and inside the body (in which the embalmer had left the organs). After four days on display in the hot Roman summer, the pope’s chest cavity exploded, emitting such a putrid smell that the body’s guards had to be rotated every 15 minutes. His skin soon turned green and his nose and fingers fell off. 

Pope John Paul II was opposed to embalming, so his remains were only “prepared” with cosmetics for viewing after his 2005 death. He also asked that a part of his intestines that had been surgically removed be placed in the same church as his body. 

In 2001, during John Paul II’s reign, the Vatican opened the coffin of Pope John Paul XXIII in preparation of moving it to another location, finding that his body was remarkably well preserved 38 years after his death. A Vatican spokesman quickly shot down declarations of his incorruptibility, stating that John Paul XXIII’s body had been treated with formalin (formaldehyde and methanol) and buried in a triple-lined coffin that kept out oxygen.

The 1944 exhumation of Pius X isn’t remembered as fondly, however. His untreated remains looked so intact that someone decided to apply a chemical solution to preserve it further, but instead of preserving his condition, the chemical turned his skin brown. Pius X’s remains were then covered in bronze to hide the discoloration. 

New school embalming?

In addition to his requests to be displayed and buried in a simpler coffin than previous popes, Pope Francis also asked for what several international outlets are describing as a “less invasive” version of preservation. 

According to Euronews and South Asia’s Weekly Voice, Italy, in 2022, passed a law to regulate thanatopraxis, which is “considered a modern evolution of embalming that used less invasive substances that are “more respectful of the human body.” The biggest distinctions, though, seem to be that in this practice, internal organs are not removed and the preservative fluids are not as irritating as formalin and alcohol.

Despite these clarifications in relation to Pope Francis’ preservation, the term “thanatopraxis” is often used interchangeably for traditional embalming. In fact, as our friend Kari the Mortician explained in 2024, “thanatos” is simply an ancient word for death or dead, while “praxis” stands for practice or care — and together, those words simply mean “caring for the dead.” 

Andrea Fantozzi, founder of the Italian National Institute of Thanatopraxy, has been the go-to spokesperson for questions about Pope Francis’ preservation. Fantozzi supervised the 2022 embalming of retired pope Benedict XVI, and reportedly did the same for Pope Francis, although he would not confirm this fact.

Short Headstone Sayings

Headstone Epitaphs for Mom

Memorialize Your Loved One with a Free Website

Did you know that you can create a website to honor your loved one’s life for free? We’ve curated a list of the 10 best platforms that allow you to share obituaries and photos, announce funeral details, accept funeral donations, and where friends and family can post condolences and memories. Find the perfect memorial website here.

Military Headstone Inscriptions for Veterans

More Beautiful Epitaphs

Aubrey is a lifelong writer who has served in the funeral industry since 2016. After graduating from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, she knew she wanted to continue to serve families through her writing, but didn’t know how.

Soon after, Aubrey experienced a “lightbulb” moment and started her eulogy writing business, Eulogies by Aubrey, in 2019.

Aubrey has written professionally since 2012, covering not only funeral-related topics and gift trends, but also for TV guide listings, as well as legal topics. She began writing for US Urns Online in 2019.

Aubrey’s work has been featured in Huffpost, Coming of Age Magazine, and 1800Flowers.com. She holds certifications in Cremation Arrangement (ICCFA) and Burial at Sea (NEBAS), and as of 2023, is a trained and certified birth and bereavement doula (SBD). Aubrey is currently studying toward her degree in Business Administration.