I’ve told you before that I sometimes get ideas for Funeral Director Daily articles from the strangest of sources.  Today’s thought process in thinking about year-end planning came to my mind on Wednesday afternoon when I was on the treadmill — it was 41 degrees, cold and cloudy in Minnesota — so I was inside listening to an afternoon business talk show on television while I got my daily regiment in.

The talking heads were talking about the United States’ national debt that now sits at about $38.15 trillion.  In my opinion, it is so large that it just blows my mind looking at all of the zero’s when I write it out.  Anyway, one of the commentators mentioned that the last time the United States had zero debt as a nation was when President Andrew Jackson paid it off on January 1, 1835.  Just for the record, part of how he did it was cancelling infrastructure spending and selling off lands in the western United States.  . . . . The results were not great right away for the U.S. as the federal real estate sales caused a “bubble” in real estate values and other issues led to the “Panic of 1837”.  Here’s a story from History.com on the subject.

This story is not about debt, but the idea of debt and the time around mid-November made me think of end-of-the-year business planning.  Have you looked at your business’ situation and understand how you want to spend the cash-flow that has came in during the year?

I was pretty good about planning and pretty good at holding off major expenses unless I had budgeted for them.  So, at the end of the year I generally had almost all of the cash-flow from the projected profit for the year in a bank account and it was time to decide what I would do with it.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

It was at this time of the year that I got serious about what I would do with that money.  Depending on the financial performance for the year my first thought was always about employee bonuses which included retirement plans that included shareholders. . . . and then it was about sharing some of what we had made with non-profit entities in our community through some tax-deductible contributions.  (By the way — we always allocated 1% of annual gross revenues for what we termed “Christian Giving”.  Our team members helped us decide to which organizations we should send it to each year.)

Next, we looked at Section 179 depreciable items to see if there was anything we could take advantage of before the end of the year and expense the item completely during that calendar year.

Finally, if we had debt — and we carried very little — we might look at paying it down, especially if interest rates were on the high side.   And we would look at putting some of the cash-flow into our funeral home savings account to be used for future projects or to be simply divided up among shareholders when we decided to leave the business.

My goal here is not to tell you what to do because every business is different and there are thousands of ways to allocate a business’s cash-flow, but simply to get you to think about what might be good options now so that you have time to implement those options between now and December 31.

To that end, I came upon two short articles from the business consultants and tax specialists at CLA that might be of interest to you:

1. Year-end planning to strengthen your business operations
2. Tax Bill signed into law:  What it means for you and your tax strategy.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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Cremation Association of North America Grows Staff to Support Strategic Plan

Promotion and New Hire Reflect Expansion of CANA’s Content and Membership Initiatives

WHEELING, IL— It’s a time of growth and innovation for the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). Widening its focus to help member businesses recruit and retain a vibrant, diverse, and well-trained workforce and educate and best serve their families, CANA continues to promote best practices in cremation through education, innovation, and collaboration.

A growing membership and an emphasis on aligning content strategy with CANA’s mission and values has resulted in new and reorganized staff responsibilities. CANA Board President Lindsey Ballard praises these appointments and invites you to offer “Congratulations to Brie Bingham and Sara Corkery in their new roles and welcome Kenjuana Hall to CANA! Brie and Sara have brought decades of experience to CANA, increasing our reputation and shaping CANA’s voice. Kenjuana will bring fresh eyes to membership initiatives in the newly created role of Membership and Operations Manager. “

BRIE BINGHAM PROMOTED TO SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER

After more than a decade of service at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Brie Bingham (pictured above, right) has been promoted to the newly established role of Senior Content Manager. This strategic position reflects CANA’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging, and educational and research content to its members and the broader death care community.

Brie has held progressive roles in membership and marketing with CANA for over a decade, bringing a dynamic blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and deep industry knowledge to her work. In her new role, Brie will lead the development and implementation of CANA’s communications, research, and educational content strategies. She will oversee the production of the association’s publications and guide the association’s online presence. Brie will also support CANA’s research projects education programs and strategic goals through content development, project management, and digital platform oversight.

Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of CANA, shares her enthusiasm for the promotion: “Brie’s promotion to Senior Content Manager is well deserved. Her ability to craft compelling content and build meaningful connections with our members has already transformed how we engage with our community. Brie has grown both revenue and CANA’s reputation through marketing efforts, so this promotion is recognition of those skills and the importance of content to CANA’s strategic growth. CANA is a thought leader in the profession and Brie’s new role will increase the focus on content creation through research, publications and education. I am thrilled to see her take on these expanded responsibilities and continue shaping the future of our association.”

Brie will continue to collaborate closely with Sara Corkery (pictured above, left), who remains a vital part of CANA’s communications team. With more than thirteen years of experience leading CANA’s magazine and collateral, Sara continues in her role as Managing Editor of The Cremationist and as Editor and Graphic Designer for CANA’s print and digital materials.

KENJUANA HALL, HIRED AS MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenjuana Hall (pictured above, middle) as its new Membership and Operations Manager, a key leadership role focused on enhancing member engagement, operational excellence, and strategic support across the organization.

Kenjuana brings over a decade of experience in membership management, data governance, and nonprofit operations. Most recently, she served as Database & Membership Manager at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, where her work guided leadership decisions, streamlined workflows, and ensured data integrity and member satisfaction for more than 3,000 members.

In her new role at CANA, Kenjuana will lead membership retention and recruitment strategies, manage member benefit programs, support volunteer and governance structures, and oversee the association management system which supports CANA’s newest member benefit, CANA Connect, a discussion forum for CANA members to share information and access member benefits. She will also play a pivotal role in operational coordination and cross-functional initiatives aligned with CANA’s strategic plan.

Barbara Kemmis is eager to work with CANA’s newest employee: “Kenjuana Hall brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to member service. Her experience in data-driven decision-making and operational leadership will be invaluable as CANA continues to grow and evolve. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she will make.”

CANA celebrates our existing and new staff members dedicated to advancing the association’s mission and enhancing the experience of its members.

About CANA

Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,700 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.

Rollings and Pinnacle Funeral Service Announce Strategic National Partnership to Accelerate Pre-Need Offerings

Rollings Funeral Service and Pinnacle Funeral Service, two of the nation’s leading private funeral home operators, have formed a strategic partnership with Precoa and National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) to expand preneed programs and better serve families across their nationwide network.

The partnership with Precoa and NGL reflects a shared commitment to advance proactive planning by improving customer service and growing market share. With Precoa’s nationally recognized sales and marketing expertise and NGL’s long-standing reputation for trusted insurance solutions, Rollings and Pinnacle will give their affiliated funeral homes the tools, training, and support needed to reach more families with meaningful preplanning options.

“NGL stands apart in our industry because they are focused solely on providing high-quality preneed products for partners,” said Greg Rollings, Founder and Chairman of Rollings and Pinnacle. “That alignment, along with Precoa’s proven approach, makes this partnership a great fit for our mission to deliver more peace of mind to families.”

Chris Hamiel, VP of Operations, added: “This is a natural next step as we continue to invest in our operations and strengthen our ability to serve communities nationwide. Precoa’s model and NGL’s focus are exactly what we were looking for to support long-term preneed growth.”

The rollout began in early September 2025 across Rollings and Pinnacle locations, with further expansion planned in 2026.

Together, the four organizations are setting a new standard for preneed excellence—helping more families plan ahead, find peace of mind, and ensure their wishes are honored.

Rollings and Pinnacle are two of the fastest growing private funeral home operators in the nation. Combined they serve approximately 15,000 families annually from 95 locations throughout the United States and continue to grow through both operational initiatives and acquisitions. For information on how your firm could join Rollings and Pinnacle, please contact Tony Kumming, President and Head of Acquisitions, tony@pinnaclefunerals.com.

Starmark® Announces Strategic Partnership with Spencer

RICHMOND, IN – Starmark Funeral Products, the trusted provider of value-driven funeral service products in North America, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Spencer, a global leader in casket handling equipment and body removal systems.

Spencer’s top-quality equipment is now available through Starmark, providing funeral professionals with access to Spencer’s industry-leading solutions alongside Starmark’s Guaranteed Best Pricing, Apples to Apples, Every Time products.

With a commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional service, Starmark creates Sensible Solutions® for funeral professionals to help families more easily honor life’s most meaningful moments with grace and respect. Starmark’s comprehensive selection includes ceremonial rental and cremation caskets, bed viewers, containers, and merchandising systems — each thoughtfully designed to allow funeral service professionals and families to focus on love, legacy, and healing.

Spencer has long been the trusted name behind some of the most advanced mortuary and funeral casket handling solutions worldwide. From body removal systems and mortuary cots to church trolleys and ergonomic casket handling equipment, Spencer offers a complete portfolio tailored to the evolving needs of funeral service providers. The solutions on offer combine Italian engineering with ergonomic design and unmatched durability, tested and trusted in funeral homes, crematories, and transportation services worldwide. This partnership brings together two respected names in funeral service, committed to supporting funeral professionals with innovative, efficient, and accessible tools for every stage of care.

For more information about Starmark and to place orders, please contact:

Starmark Customer Service Phone: 888-366-7335
Email: customerservice@starmarkcp.com
Website: www.starmarkcp.com

About Starmark: Starmark Funeral 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.Contact Information: Starmark Jordan Sheehan(800) 428-6991 x 308jordan.sheehan@vandorcorp.com

Foundation Partners Group Forms New Advisory Board to Enhance Strategic Growth and Community Impact

WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 3, 2025) – In one of his first actions as leader of the second largest provider of funeral services in the United States, Foundation Partners Group CEO John D. Smith today announced the creation of a new Community Advisory Board to help guide the company’s leadership team during a pivotal time of growth and transformation.

Smith, who was named Foundation Partners CEO in January, has dedicated his career to building innovative consumer experiences and transforming legacy business models across multiple industries. As Chairman and CEO of Icon Parking, he was named the National Parking Association’s Innovator of the Year in 2023 for leveraging digital technology to significantly improve the customer experience and produce major efficiencies and cost savings for Icon.

The new advisory board underscores Smith’s commitment to balancing innovation with the deeply rooted traditions of funeral service, as he builds on the company’s strong foundation to ensure that families receive compassionate care and modern end-of-life solutions. His ability to implement strategic initiatives, optimize operations and build high-performing teams has consistently delivered measurable results.

“Our mission is to bring ease and comfort to families,” Smith said. “That’s why our first three Community Advisory Board members are former funeral business owners, who represent the best in service to families. They are smart, creative problem solvers who have proven track records of success. Their advice and counsel will be invaluable as we look to accelerate performance and bring our local funeral homes, cemeteries and direct-to-consumer cremation providers together with modern tools and resources to make the end-of-life experience as easy as possible for families we serve.”

Advisory board members include:

Mark Krause, a fourth-generation funeral director and former president of Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Krause is a nationally recognized leader and educator, who built an innovative portfolio of businesses designed to provide services to families across a wide spectrum of needs from high-touch, traditional services to simple direct cremation.

Kevin Waterston, a recognized cremation pioneer who, along with his brother, founded the Cremation Society of Minnesota in 1980 to complement the services of his family’s Minneapolis funeral home. Over the next 30-plus years, the Waterstons grew the business to five locations, becoming the leading provider of cremation services in Minnesota.

Rick Tuss, a licensed funeral director and former co-owner of Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory in Punta Gorda, Florida. From 2012 to 2019, Tuss and his partner modernized and grew the business based on a culture of caring with a strong emphasis on community involvement.

“By concentrating on best practices, emerging opportunities and an expanded vision for the future, we will begin our next chapter of innovation, excellence and service. Looking ahead, we also see this board as an opportunity to draw on the experience of innovative thinkers from other areas of the end-of-life planning and care community — a community that has expanded far beyond traditional funeral service to all aspects of ending well,” Smith said.

About Foundation Partners Group 

Winter Park, Florida-based Foundation Partners Group is one of the industry’s most innovative providers of funeral services and the second-largest funeral home group in the country based on the number of families served. Foundation Partners owns and operates a network of over 250 funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries across 21 states. Our deep understanding of technology and customer experience-centered approach allows us to deliver truly innovative and compassionate care to the families we serve. Visit www.foundationpartners.com to learn more. 

Pictured above (l-r): Mark Krause, Rick Tuss, and Kevin Waterston

In what is becoming a growing trend among larger funeral home operators Anthem Partners announced in late September that they had formed a strategic alliance with Premier Preneed Marketing and National Guardian Life (NGL) that they believe will help grow their preneed business.

According to a statement in the press release from Jim La Mar, Anthem’s Director of Business Development, “This association will allow our firms to serve more families with robust product enhancements backed by the financial strength of NGL and innovative tools and exceptional resources from Premier Preneed, the fastest growing preneed marketing organization in the country.  We look forward to leveraging the many possibilities our relationship with Premier and NGL will provide.”

NGL’s Senior Vice-President of Preneed Sales and Business Development Cameron Black made this comment in the same press release, “NGL is very humbled and excited to be the preneed carrier for Anthem Partners’ western portfolio of funeral homes.  It’s these exciting partnerships that allow us to help create more opportunities for families to see the benefits of pre-planning.” 

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  Aligning relationships with one preneed partner is a trend we are seeing at Funeral Director Daily.  And when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense for both the consumer-facing funeral and cemetery businesses as well as the preneed insurance companies.

For the funeral home companies a strategic alliance can probably help them increase commission percentages, leverage a potential higher growth rates to allow policies better long-term growth, and help with marketing expenses and customer acquisition for the sale of such policies.  All of these options should allow for higher profits for the aligned funeral home partners.

For the insurance companies these partnerships put forward aligned goals and results for both the funeral homes and the preneed companies.  The sacrifice of higher commissions and potential higher costs of marketing can be overcome with the idea that they will get 100% of the funeral home/cemetery company’s preneed business.  That’s a combination that they hope will increase the numbers of policies sold, and generate more profits, in the marketplace by their specific business.

In the last 18 months of so we have seen these relationships develop, seemingly more often than before, between consumer facing death care companies and preneed insurance providers.  Here’s some of the alignments we have been notified about and a story or press release on such:

Regardless of the size of your funeral home, it certainly would not hurt to ask preneed providers what benefits that they may be able to offer if you made them your exclusive provider of preneed services.  Like the big companies in Death Care, there may be synergies and opportunities to have some sense of linked goals that might benefit both of you.

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