The Future of Funeral Service

Question 1

• Professional philosophy
• Life span
• Changes in the American family
• Baby boomers
• Improved funeral home operating efficiency
• Computerization and internet
• Funeral home as a resource center
• Aftercare services
• Impact of acquisition companies
• Immigration factors
• Workforce
• Compensation
• Environmental issues
• Government regulations will continue to increase in all areas
• Cemetery/funeral home combinations
• Alternative distribution channels for funeral service

Answer 1

The Future of Funeral Service

Question 2

Not just to conduct funerals but to care for the dead and grieving.

Answer 2

Professional Philosophy

Question 3

• life expentancy has doubled in the past 90 years
• 2/3 of all seniors who ever lived in the history of the world are alive today
• The fastest group of people in the country are those over 85
• The death rate has decreased to approximately 8.8 per 1000
• The death rate will start to increase around 2010 (baby boomers)
• Sunbelt states will see an increase in number of deaths
• There will be more younger and older people, less middle aged people.

Answer 3

Life Span

Question 4

• Casket aversion
• Uncomfortable in the casket selection room
• Have no attended many funerals
• Are not familiar with making arrangements
• Do not have church ties as strong as their parents
• Do not have strong ties to funeral homes
• Like to think in terms of celebration of life

Answer 4

Baby Boomers

Question 5

• Women
• Second careers
• Older, more experienced
• The family funeral home is becoming a thing of the past

Answer 5

Workforce

Question 6

• Government regulations
• Issues surrounding death
  
  • Are preserved bodies, non-biodegradable caskets and vaults seen as anti-environmental?
  • Will “getting back to nature” become a thing of the 21st century?

Answer 6

Environmental Issues

Question 7

• Casket service
• Cemetery sales of funeral merchandise

Answer 7

Alternative Distribution Channels for Funeral Service