We’ve now moved a few days into the month of December.  It’s hard to believe that the plans you put into place for the 2025 Business Year are now coming into the stretch run.  Hopefully, your profit numbers are exceeding what you expected them to be with, not only your wise planning, but your ability to shift and adapt some parameters as events, such as tariffs and continued inflation, came into play during the year.

What happened in 2025 with unexpected events happens to some extent every year.  And, while we don’t know what those unexpected events might be, the more you know what is happening in the world around you, the better you should be to make mid-year manuevers in your planning.

To that end, today’s edition brings you two publications that contain information that we believe could influence your business plans for 2026.

1. Business Conditions and the Federal Reserve Board rate decision coming on December 10 —

The United States Federal Reserve Board will hold its last meeting of the calendar year next week and will have the responsibility of setting the rate for what is called the “Feds Fund Rate” which is the interest rate base that virtually all other consumer and business interest rates are set off of.  Where they set that rate at will make a difference in your adjustable rate bank loans, on what you might pay on credit card interest, and will make a difference on automobile loans and many mortgage loan types.  Clientele of Death Care establishments may have more or less to spend depending on how their individual loans are affected.

And, specific to funeral homes, the rate may make a difference on how much interest is credited to preneed funeral accounts going forward, depending on which insurance company holds your preneed policies.

This recent article from Yahoo Finance will give you some insights on what business conditions the Federal Reserve Board members will be looking at when setting that rate.  Here are a couple of quick statements from that article that may affect business going forward in 2026:

• “The combination of weaker consumption and a sagging job market could boost the odds of a December rate cut”.

• “As layoffs have ticked up, employers are implementing hiring freezes, replacing only people who leave, and adjusting workers’ hours, according to the report. A few firms noted that artificial intelligence replaced entry-level positions or made existing workers productive enough to curb new hiring.”

• “Rising health insurance premiums are also increasing labor costs for employers.”

• “Looking at inflation, tariffs increased costs for retailers and manufacturers. . . . There were multiple reports of profit margins being squeezed or firms facing financial strain from tariffs. Meanwhile, prices declined for certain materials, which firms chalked up to sluggish demand, deferred tariff implementation, or reduced tariff rates.”

• “Looking ahead, businesses expect cost increases to continue, but plans to raise prices in the near term were mixed.”

Related Article —  Consumer Price Index ends Fiscal Year 2025 at 3.01%.  Social Security announces 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).  United States Congress Joint Economic Committee

2. Thoughts on the Funeral Services Industry from Global Growth Insights–

I found a very interesting dossier on the worldwide funeral industry in a form that appears to be a teaser for purchasing a larger report on the industry from a worldwide perspective in a document entitled “Global Growth Insights“.  And while I cannot vouch for the company, most of the information that I read on the “teaser” seemed to appear correct.  You can access the document here.

Here’s some of the highlights I found from the Global Growth Insights material that co-incides with some of the trends I have noticed and written about with Funeral Director Daily:

Growth of the Industry — “Several structural and demographic factors underpin this growth. Rising global mortality rates, driven by an aging population, have been a major catalyst. By 2030, nearly one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 years or older, contributing significantly to the increasing demand for funeral and pre-need planning services. Additionally, the growing acceptance of cremation — accounting for over 57% of global funerals in 2025 — has encouraged companies to innovate in low-emission cremation technology and biodegradable urn production.”

Technology —  “Another notable transformation is the integration of technology. Over 40% of funeral homes globally now offer digital pre-arrangement, online obituaries, and live-streamed memorials. These services enhance convenience and accessibility, especially for families separated by geography.”

Sustainability —  “(S)ustainability has emerged as a defining trend. The increasing adoption of eco-friendly burials, green cemeteries, and bio-cremation services underscores the industry’s shift toward environmentally conscious practices. The “green funeral” segment alone is projected to grow at over 8% CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) through 2030, reflecting changing consumer values.”

Premium Memorialization —  “The high-end and specialty funeral homes and services segment caters to a premium clientele that seeks exclusivity, personalization, and luxury in memorial arrangements. This niche but rapidly expanding category combines emotional value, heritage preservation, and sophisticated service design. In 2025, the luxury funeral segment accounts for nearly 7.5% of the total global funeral services market, valued at approximately USD 5.9 billion, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2025–2033 — outpacing the broader market’s average growth of 3.39%.  High-end providers focus on creating unique, culturally tailored, and experience-driven memorials. These include private mausoleums, personalized life celebration ceremonies, high-end floral artistry, premium casket materials, and digital heritage archives.”

Here is one other statement pertaining to the United States funeral industry that I found interesting, “The United States represents the largest and most mature segment of the global funeral homes and funeral services industry, accounting for approximately 36% of total global market share in 2025. The market continues to demonstrate steady growth, supported by an aging population, increasing pre-need funeral arrangements, and a rising preference for personalized, eco-friendly, and technology-enabled services.”

News from the world of Death Care:

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

Funeral Director Daily take:  Today is the day that the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in what I refer to as the “Tariff” case.  As most Americans know President Trump has actively set tariff rates on different countries around the world by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act  (IEEPA).  It is the first time that act has been used by a President for the implementation of tariffs since it was enacted in 1977.

From my layman’s point of view, the case centers on if the President has the power to impose tariffs, unilaterally, under this act.  Being a revenue issue tariffs have historically been a power that was thought to rest with Congress.  However, over the years Congress has delegated certain powers to the Executive branch of government and it is the President’s opinion that tariffs, at least in certain instances, are one of them.

Part of the President’s argument will be that tariffs are no longer simply a tax and spending issue.  The President believes that how we deal with the economics of the world are now a part of our national defense strategies as well as part of our economic strategies.

Here are a couple of articles that might help you in understanding what is involved:

Funeral Director Daily take:  I’ve brought up the “K-shaped” economy before.  Some statistics are believed to show that the upper asset end of the American consumers have fared very well, with asset growth and income, in the last few years and the lower asset group of Americans have fared not near as well —  actually not being able to bring in an income to simply pay their bills, much less having any chance to build their assets.

There is actually a little more evidence to that thought as in the past week credit reporting bureau TransUnion issued a report that the number of consumers classified as “low-risk, super prime borrowers” is on the rise.  The report states that in the past six years those with these very strong credit ratings has grown from 37.1% of Americans to 40.9% of Americans.

On the other hand, the report indicates that “the subprime segment, or riskier consumers with credit scores of 300 to 600, has also increased, . . while, the percentage of consumers in the in-between levels — near prime, prime, and prime plus — is lower than it was pre-pandemic, as more Americans shift to either extreme of the credit risk spectrum.”

Article — More consumers are slipping into the riskiest credit segment.  Yahoo Finance

Funeral Director Daily take —  Last but not least, and almost missed within the election and tariff court news, is the fact that last week the members of the Federal Reserve Board lowered the Federal Reserve rate by 1/4 of a percentage point.  That was somewhat expected, and will lower the cost of borrowing in America, however, there were some that thought the rate would be lowered by 1/2 of a percentage point.

Funeral Director Daily take —  What businesses may feel it next?. . . .The “it” being that Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright says is “Young Americans face growing student loan bills, slower wage growth and an unfavorable job market” which is reducing the amount being spent at what are referred to as “quick service restaurants” such as Chipotle.

Article — Younger Americans are dining out less.  Restaurants are feeling the the Squeeze.  Yahoo Finance

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

About ten days ago Funeral Director Daily wrote our first column titled “The World Around Us“.  The column, which will appear on a periodic basis, was created with the thought process that people in the funeral business stay pretty busy and don’t always find time to find out what is happening outside of the “Headline News”.   Yet the more we understand of what is happening in the “World Around Us” the better we will be at our decision making for our own businesses.

“The World Around Us” is our periodic attempt to keep funeral home owners and managers updated on what is happening and how it might affect their business.  Our first episode was very well received so here we go with Episode #2.

Funeral Director Daily take  —  For the past couple of years the Federal Reserve has moved interest rates higher to keep inflation in check.  The higher rates have caused the “Cost of Money” to increase for funeral homes on everything from mortgage rates on buildings to loans for livery vehicles to the cost of lines of credit for purchases.  Now, just as we are looking for the Federal Reserve to ease some of those loan rates we find that “Bad Loans” may be increasing in number and keep the “Cost of Money” advanced by smaller banks at elevated levels.

Funeral Director Daily take —  Somewhat in line with the previous statement and article, here are some more indications that many American consumers have reached their limit on stretching their financial resources.  While I am not sure as to how this plays out for Death Care businesses, I would guess that the more resources one has available to pay for funeral or cremation services the better funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries will do financially. . . . Now, it appears that we may be moving in the opposite direction on that front.  I think it is just good, sound, business philosophy that funeral directors understand some of the reasons that clients choose limited services has to do with available current resources and not always their preferred Death Care wishes.  And, extending credit using credit cards and other means to them is good and will probably help average call sales revenue, but be careful not to over-extend your firm’s accounts receivables in situations where you may never get paid.

Funeral Director Daily take —  I remember my first day on the job as a licensed funeral director like it was yesterday — June 9, 1980.  That’s now over 45 years ago.  And, in looking back, moving through the days of buying my first house, getting married, raising a family and all other events I realized that I had to balance current living expenses with saving expenses of college educations, whole life insurance, and, of course, retirement savings.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

I think sometimes we, and our team members, get caught up in the moment of current expenses.  I was lucky in those early working years that I had a local banker and fellow church member who always told me “pay yourself first”.  What he meant by that was “the first part of your paycheck should be put away for a later date”.  It turned out to be great advice.

I think it is important, especially for owners of funeral homes, that we keep our retirement goals on track.  I recently came across this article that has some guidelines for doing just that. . . I think it is a good little reminder, that like it did for me, retirement will come sooner than you think. . . . Share this article with your team members as I think it is pretty well proven that financially secure team members will be better team members.

Funeral Director Daily take —  Just last week Funeral Director Daily wrote some articles that dealt with transactions in the Death Care profession/industry and all of those transactions involved private equity as investors in one way or another.  We also wrote this article back in June about why private equity seems to be a good fit for Death Care operations.

One of the points brought up in that June article was that of all the businesses in America 91% are private and only 9% are public companies where the average American can buy stock for ownership.  The article also points out that “Private” companies have returned a 14.9% annual return to investors over the past 20 years while “Public” companies have returned only a 7.9% annually over that same period.

However, because of the ability to lose your investment, potential investors in almost all “Private Equity”  funds need to prove that they are “Qualified” investors with net worth of $1 million or more.  Many people feel that is one reason the American economy is now thought to be “K-shaped” where those with “private” assets are gaining more net worth while those without the ability to invest in those “private” assets are falling behind.

I think you are going to be hearing more and more about the pros and cons of who and how one can invest in private fund companies.  I think the discussion is beginning and this article will give you some insight on what the issues will be in that discussion.

Funeral Director Daily take —  Finally, we present a press release from Matthews International.  Matthews International is a large, multi-faceted supplier to Death Care.  They are also, however, a consolidated company that has other “irons in the fire” including development of parts of the future in the electrode battery industry.  Here’s a recent press release from Matthews pertaining to that industry.

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

I’ ve realized that over my lifetime I’ve had a never-ending compulsion to know what is happening in the world around me.  In my elementary school days our family subscribed to both the morning edition and the afternoon edition of the Minneapolis newspapers.  I can remember reading the sports section — that’s all that mattered to me at the time — of the Morning Tribune before I left for school and as soon as I walked home from school spreading the sports section of the Afternoon Star out on the living room floor to read while I watched cartoons or other shows.

I continue to have that unsatiable appetite for news . . . .and I’ve always had it.  During my working years I got up early to read the morning paper cover to cover before going to work.   Retirement has been great because I now have more time and the internet has been great because I’ve got all kinds of sources never before available to me.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

One of the things that I’ve come to learn is that decisions are best made when you have all the available information to make the decision.  And, news and what is going on around us is important information.  I don’t always get decisions correct, however I believe that I’ve made better decisions, even in the business of the funeral home, over time because I was aware of trends and topics happening in the secular world outside of the business of funerals.  While many people stubbornly believe Death Care work occurs in a bubble, I’m convinced that if you drew Venn diagrams you would actually realize the secular world and your funeral home world overlap.

I also know that owners and managers of funeral homes are very busy and don’t always have the time to search out news that may affect them in some way.  For that reason, I’m going to periodically put out an Afternoon Edition of what I will call “The World Around Us“.  Hopefully, it will be an easily scanned opportunity for Death Care professionals to scan the news and read what interests them. . . .And, I’ll try to show how the news may be pertinent to some of the decisions you might need to make.   Here’s today’s try at it  —  Let me know if you like it:

Funeral Director Daily take — At least in my Midwest area, farm families are some of the best backers of “The Traditional Funeral”.  “Will the lack of soybean sales and resulting poor financial year have an effect on how families in the Midwest spend on necessities, including funerals?”

Funeral Director Daily take —  Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi takes a look at concerns over tariffs and the U.S. Government shutdown.

Funeral Director Daily take —  Ford Motor Company has 6,000 dealer service bays without a mechanical technician at this moment in time.  What’s at play here and is there a movement about technical skills vs. college educations?  If so, will that “educational friction” affect the future educational requirements of morticians, funeral directors, embalmers, etc?

Funeral Director Daily take —  The installation of the new bishop of the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA) last Sunday shows that tradition is rapidly changing in our nation’s religious institutions.  What will this continuing lack of tradition and heritage mean for funeral and cremation providers moving forward?

Funeral Director Daily take —  This article just reinforces the thought that “Nothing lasts forever”.  The recent bankruptcy of Publisher’s Clearing House means that many former winners of monthly or annual prizes for life will now have those payments stop.  To me it is a stark reminder that “Nothing lasts forever” and when you make that decision to sell your funeral business   —  make sure that the company that buys you can afford any payments that are set-up over time.  I’m guessing that there are very few things in life that would be more difficult to take than building a business for generations and then selling to a company that could not fulfill its obligations to pay you.  . . . .Remember the Loewen Group???

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

Loop Biotech launches the first mushroom urn for pets on World Animal Day: “A Positive Pawprint” 

DELFT, The Netherlands, October 2 – For millions of people worldwide, pets are beloved family members. Saying goodbye is always painful, yet it can also be meaningful. On World Animal Day, Loop Biotech unveils the Loop FurEver™, the world’s first urn grown entirely from mushrooms, offering a sustainable and loving way to honor pets while giving back to the earth. 

“Our pets give us unconditional love. Yet farewells too often end in urns made of metal, ceramic, or plastic – products that pollute the planet. That must change. With Loop FurEver™, farewell transforms into new life: memories live on while nature is restored,” says Bob Hendrikx, founder of Loop Biotech. 

The urn comes in two sizes: 0.5 liters (for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, parakeets, and small dogs) and 1.5 liters (for larger dogs). Families can keep it at home as a soft remembrance or bury it outdoors. Within 45 days, the urn completely returns to the soil, enriching biodiversity and nourishing new life. 

A Positive Pawprint 

Each urn is grown in only seven days from mycelium – the root network of mushrooms and nature’s most powerful recycler – combined with upcycled hemp fibers. Like the Loop Living Cocoon™ (mushroom coffin) and the Loop EarthRise™

(urn for people), the new product reflects Loop Biotech’s mission: to turn every farewell into an opportunity to enrich the earth. 

A global and growing need 

The pet funeral industry is expanding rapidly. Worldwide, tens of millions of dogs and cats are buried or cremated every year, with cremation accounting for the majority. According to Grand View Research (2023), the global market for pet funeral services is growing by an average of 11% annually, driven by stronger emotional bonds between people and their pets, and the growing demand for sustainable choices. 

“We see a clear shift: more families are looking for sustainable, 

nature-friendly ways to say goodbye to their pets. The Loop FurEver™ offers comfort while directly giving back to the planet,” says Amaryl van Ravenhorst, Pet Funeral Care Netherlands. 

“Loop’s mushroom urn is a groundbreaking innovation that fits perfectly with the global movement toward sustainable funeral products. It makes farewells more natural, personal, and meaningful,” says Peter Biemans, Funeral Products. 

Available now worldwide 

Through partnerships with funeral care providers and distributors, the Loop FurEver™ is already available in Europe and North America. It can be purchased via crematoria, pet funeral homes, selected retailers, and the Loop Biotech webshop. 

About Loop Biotech 

Founded in 2020 by Bob and Lonneke Hendrikx, Loop Biotech is the creator of the world’s first mushroom coffin and urn. From its base in the Netherlands, the company develops funeral products that enrich nature. Since 2021, thousands of families in Europe have chosen Loop Biotech for sustainable farewells. With the launch of Loop FurEver™, the company extends its mission to pets: restoring balance with nature and creating new life from every goodbye. 

Source 

Grand View Research (2023). Pet Funeral Services Market Size, Share & Trends Report, 2023–2030. Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com 

Shortly after my mother died in 2011 I discovered an untitled cassette tape in the drawer of her big roll-top desk.  Being curious I popped it into an old cassette tape player to see what was on it.  To my surprise it contained an interview that one of my brothers did for a school project back in the 1970’s with my father.

My father died in 1977 and this was the first time I heard his voice in 34 years.  It unnerved me and after only a few moments I shut the tape off never to listen to it again.

I loved my father dearly, appreciate all he did for me, and believe that I am well-adjusted in my grief and remembrance of not only my father, but others I’ve loved also. . . .including my mother and a younger brother.  However, bringing back my father’s voice — a voice that was instantly recognizable to me after 34 years — was difficult.

It’s with that preamble that I give you this article from PsyPost titled “Digital afterlife:  Will your AI self outlive you and what does that mean?”  There is a small portion of that article that deals with grief and the idea that one’s digital afterlife could pop up in the lives of those who are grieving and the difficulties that may occur because of that.  Here’s part of what the article says of that issue:

“But this new way of grieving comes with challenges. Unlike physical memories such as photos or keepsakes that fade over time, digital memories remain fresh and easily accessible. They can even appear unexpectedly in your social media feeds, bringing back emotions when you least expect them.”

The article goes on to say this:

“Some psychologists worry that staying connected to someone’s digital presence could make it harder for people to move on. This is especially true as AI technology becomes more advanced. Imagine being able to chat with a digital version of a loved one that feels almost real. While this might seem comforting, it could make it even harder for someone to accept their loss and let go.”

If you read the article you will see that there are links to studies that are being done to see how this fairly new phenomena, including the use of human avatars and artificial intelligence may affect grieving.  It is probably understudied and unknown at this point but my guess is that there will be ramifications of digital afterlife on grief.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I feel kind of fortunate that when I want to remember my parents or brother I have great memories within my brain.  However, if I want to see photos or other remembrance memorabilia I can do that on my own time with the appropriate knowledge that I’m going to do that.

It’s not like with the cassette tape or having videos pop up on social media when the immediate impulse without warning could come.  Like I said before, that was unnerving for me and could be emotionally devastating for some.

I’ve often found myself thinking of how some people handle that.  For instance, I enjoy watching television shows from my childhood — shows I enjoyed such as the Rockford Files, Quincy, or Perry Mason.  Those shows were filmed 50 years ago and virtually all of the actors are now deceased. . . . . .I’ve wondered how the actor’s children or grandchildren react when their ancestors pop up on the screen —  the same goes for sports highlights of deceased athletes.

Our digital afterlives — it’s an unknown grief commodity that I expect we will learn more about as time goes on. . . .

More news from the world of Death Care:

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

Is the World Ready for Deep Space Burials?

So besides the launching of cremated remains into or out orbit as part of a final farewell (an option of such growing popularity that there are businesses built upon the option as a burial alternative), there may soon be legitimate options for deep space burial of intact remains. Popular space travel, long-term missions and other circumstances may bring the necessity to the forefront in the near future. 

Star Trek and the sci fi genre have long featured the practice artistically; how faithful to reality are such depictions? In some shows, bodies explode from the lack of atmospheric pressure; in others, remains float unprotected gently into space, accidentally or otherwise, and just sort of peacefully float away, intact.

What’s the real story?

Human Bodies Are Tough

No exploding corpses after all: the absence of the pressurized atmosphere isn’t extreme enough to pull the human body apart, as the skin and connective tissues are sufficiently tough to hold things together. Even so, there would be other immediate effects, as well as long-term ones, contributing to the degradation of remains… though it wouldn’t be decomposition on earthly terms.

Immediate loss of pressure would draw out gases within the digestive tract, as well as oxygen in the tissues and blood. While this process might cause some damage, it wouldn’t be catastrophic. Rapid dehydration would follow, fluids in the body boiling off as the gases dissipate, and due to the extremes of temperature – at the low end, hundreds of degrees below Fahrenheit – any remaining moisture in the body would freeze.

The result would be a sort of preserved, dessicated, partially frozen mummy which, depending on its  trajectory after being ejected into space, might some day pass within proximity to cosmic features where temperatures are significantly higher and could cause other damage… such as within proximity to a star, like our sun.  

No Putrefaction

And there wouldn’t be the bacterial helping hand we’re used to for the sort of decomp we typically experience  on earth. For one thing, there’s no oxygen in space to help with the processes of bacterial propagation in the gut, that primary device that directs things so expeditiously on the surface; none of the natural means would be available to aid putrefaction. Space’s extreme temperatures don’t support propagation of the microorganisms in our gut that typically drive the processes we associate with the body’s breakdown.

But at a more stately pace, over time, interstellar radiation would take over, contributing to the breakdown of tissues by the deconstruction of DNA and other cellular materials. There could also be collisions from micrometeoroids and other space debris, though most of them would be relatively small particles – space dust, really.  Ultimately, the body will disintegrate, if slowly.

And should the remains be protected by a space casket of some sort, a vessel for the protection or in honor of the deceased, preservation might be possible for considerably longer, depending on the nature of the materials and any preparation of the body.

A regal ending, in theory if nothing else, to find a final resting place among the stars of our origins.

Funeral Home Launches ‘End of the World’ Preplan Campaign | FFFW 223

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

Wow- we are officially past the first month of 2025. Kinda wild. Only eleven more months to go.

I have this really bad habit of trying to “get through” the years. But you know what’s wild? There’s always another one there just waiting for us. So, I’m trying to enjoy this one.

Days until the Chiefs win the Big Game: 9

MemoryShare, the #1 Live Streaming software for funeral homes, has announced a new monthly newsletter. “The Memo” is for funeral directors to stay updated on the latest tools, pro-tips, video tricks, and technology op-eds in the funeral profession. Subscribers will get exclusive access to early offers, discounts, and feature releases. To subscribe to The Memo, click the button below. The first 20 subscribers will receive a mystery gift!

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Asteroid Heading for Earth—Humanity Panics, Funeral Directors See Opportunity

The year is 2425, and Earth’s luck has finally run out. A mountain-sized asteroid, moving at ridiculous, civilization-ending speeds, is set to obliterate life as we know it. Governments have collapsed, billionaires have fled to Mars, and the rest of humanity is hoarding canned goods in underground bunkers.

But while the world spirals into chaos, funeral directors remain laser-focused—on pre-need sales.

“If society’s ending, you’d better believe we’re going out with record-breaking contracts,” said one funeral home owner, launching their ‘Impact-Proof Pre-Plan Special.’ “We can’t stop the asteroid, but we can make sure your arrangements are in order.”

Marketing campaigns are flooding the airwaves. “No Matter What Happens, Your Final Wishes Should Be Respected.” “Avoid the Last-Minute Rush—Pre-Plan Before Impact.” Even a BOGO deal: “Reserve One, Get a Second Burial Free (for a Friend, or Just in Case).”

As the asteroid looms larger in the sky, scientists warn of imminent planetary devastation. Funeral pros, however, remain calm. “Look, the asteroid might wipe out all of human civilization,” one director admitted. “But if there’s even one survivor, we want to be their funeral home of choice.”

No refunds, obviously.

Trivia

The Philadelphia Eagles have advanced to the NFL championship! So … how many bald eagles would it take to pick up a 500-pound casket?

Select the correct answer, and you’ll get a GIF of an otter. Select the wrong one, and you’ll get a GIF of someone hurting themselves.

Answer Choices:

A) 80

B) 120

C) 160

You Otter Be Proud

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

1. Wilson Funeral Home director honored for organ donor support
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

There’s Still Time to Immerse Yourself in the Transformative World of Terramation at TerraCon 2025

Can you feel it? That spine-tingling excitement that’s bubbling through deathcare right now is pure anticipation for the year’s first big gathering where we’ll dive deep into all things natural organic reduction (NOR): TerraCon 2025.

On February 4 and 5, more than 250 impassioned NOR enthusiasts and knowledge-seekers from all over the globe will flock to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington for the second annual TerraCon event. Along with an additional estimated 700+ folks joining in online, this eclectic group of funeral professionals, mortuary students, environmentalists, and legislators will together delve into pretty much every aspect of this relatively new — but rapidly growing — disposition option.

“Twelve states now have legalized with many more waiting in line,” says Micah Truman, Founder and CEO of Auburn, Washington-based Terramation provider Return Home, explaining that this year’s registration, vendors, and speakers reflect an expanding curiosity about the process. “It’s really exciting. We have senior leadership from some of the larger conglomerates coming in, senior regulators from California and Canada, and funeral directors from across America, all across Canada, and from Australia, England, Germany, Holland, and Vietnam.”

Last year’s inaugural gathering was less “convention” and more “movement.” Attendees used words like “palpable positive energy,” “incredibly insightful,” and “inspiring” to describe the experience, which included a full, diverse slate of speakers and events. This year’s jam-packed agenda promises even more, says Truman.

“We have Monsignor Schallenberg coming in from Berlin, Germany,” Truman says. “He’ll be explaining the Catholic Church’s position, which is in support of our mission and a preference over cremation. Also from Germany, we have the leading soil scientist who also has a master’s degree in forestry and a degree in forensics; he will co-present with Jean Bonhotal, head of soil science at Cornell University. We also have four family panels — an incredible group — one of which drove their loved one all the way up [to Return Home in Washington] from California.”

This unusual mix of real Terramation families, global religious authorities, scientists, legal experts, and members of the deathcare community is just one of the elements that makes Terracon so much different from a traditional industry gathering. No topic is off-limits, and there are no dumb questions. This welcoming platform has no doubt helped Truman and his team attract twice as many participants and vendors as in 2024, including a huge cohort of more than 600 students from 11 mortuary schools joining others remotely — and taking part in a fun new interactive feature.

“This year, National Guardian Life put a really cool idea forward,” Truman explains. “After each presentation, NGL will post a question about the funeral industry on the screen along with a QR code to use to answer — we’ll have seven questions over one day. Then we’ll coalesce that information into a report about what people are feeling about the future of our industry, and NGL’s Judy Olson will present the results. That will be really cool.”

Other surprises participants can look forward to this year include an NOR-themed Hot Wingspanel and an exclusive preview of a Sundance Film Festival Award-winning documentary on the topic of Terramation and featuring the Return Home team — one of three such films currently in production.

There’s still time to reserve your spot for TerraCon 2025! Limited in-person tickets are still available here through February 3, as are discounted rates at convention partner Hotel Murano, and reservations for in-person tours of the Return Home facility. Plus, virtual registration will be available through February 3. Micah Truman and the Return Homies welcome your questions, so feel free to reach out to them at info@returnhome.com.

Mario World Funeral Home Crisis?!?!?!? | FFFW 208

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

Hey welcome back to issue 2-0-8 of the FFFW! It’s October 11 and you know what that means- absolutely nothing! But, every day is a little special- right? So I searched through the internet to find some notable things happening new today:

1) National Sausage Pizza Day
2) The Draconid Meteor Shower
3) It’s the 50th anniversary of Elton John’s “Yellow Brick Road”
4) Monarch butterflies are in migration to Mexico
5) It’s Pet Obesity Awareness Day

So take the dog for a walk, look at some butterflies, and listen to a lil Elton John. We’re gonna have a good one today!

Excited for NFDA New Orleans this year? We are! The biggest show of the year is only a few weeks away and we can’t wait to see you at #NFDA2024!

We’re in Booth 1852 this year. Stop by to see how MemoryShare has simplified livestreaming and is transforming the way funeral homes reach more families. (Or just come grab a pair of socks— we’ll have those too.)

See you in New Orleans!

Funeral Homes in the Mushroom Kingdom Report ‘Super Mushrooms’ as Major Obstacle to Proper Death Certificates

Funeral homes across the Mushroom Kingdom are facing an unexpected crisis as the magical properties of Super Mushrooms wreak havoc on death certificates. The once-final farewell has become a temporary inconvenience, with deceased individuals springing back to life shortly after their time of death. “We’ll have everything set up—the casket, the flowers, the nice obituary—and then boom! They’re walking out of the embalming room as if nothing happened,” complained Toadsworth, a veteran funeral director. “It’s getting impossible to do my job when half my clients keep showing up for round two.”

The situation has left funeral professionals scrambling to manage the chaos, particularly with the challenge of filing accurate paperwork. “I can’t exactly put ‘briefly deceased’ on the death certificate,” Toadsworth added, shaking his head. Super Mushrooms, known for their life-restoring properties, have become a thorn in the side of morticians and funeral directors, turning traditional services into unpredictable, two-act affairs. Kingdom authorities have offered little help, dismissing the issue as part of the ‘magic’ of the Mushroom Kingdom. “We need regulations!” urged Koopa Mortis of Shell & Sons Funeral Home. “Either you’re dead, or you’re not. This in-between is killing us.”

In response, some funeral homes are adding ‘re-death’ clauses to their contracts, ensuring they still get paid when their customers return for a second go. “Honestly, it’s become a revenue stream,” Mortis admitted, though not without frustration. “We’re doing twice the work for the same clients, and it’s just exhausting. If this keeps up, we might as well just put in a revolving door.” Meanwhile, families are left wondering if their loved ones are truly at rest—or just waiting for their next resurrection.

Trivia

How many hearses would be needed to cover the entire surface of an NFL field?

(Click the correct answer, and you’ll get a video of a puppy. Click the wrong answer, and you’ll see dissapointed man.)

Answer Choices:
A) 100
B) 200
C) 400

You Otter Be Proud

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

1. Why is it important to have a funeral director?
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