Homesteaders Blog

Recording Your Loved One’s Stories

We all have stories to tell: about our childhoods, our parents, siblings, homes, loves, travels, beliefs, sorrows and joys — the list could continue on. Everyone has a rich history, but how do you keep these special stories alive, to remember and pass along to future generations?

Recording your loved one’s stories is a powerful way to preserve your family’s history. These stories not only create lasting memories but also offer valuable insights into the person’s life and experiences that eventually shaped your family. Future generations can look back at recorded stories and get to know your loved one long after they’ve passed. In this way, family legacies live on and continue to impact your family’s future.

Advice for Funeral Professionals from Funeral Professionals

March 11 marks National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day—a day set aside to honor the dedication, compassion and unwavering service of those who guide families through life’s most challenging moments. Funeral professionals don’t just manage services; they provide comfort, stability and a sense of peace when it’s needed most.

At Homesteaders, we understand this calling on a personal level. Many of our employees are licensed funeral directors and have walked in your shoes. In honor of this day, we asked some of those funeral directors to share their best advice on navigating this deeply meaningful profession with care, resilience and excellence.

Statistics Funeral Professionals Should Know for 2025

The funeral profession is experiencing a period of transformation — shaped by shifts in demographics, technology and consumer behaviors. Funeral professionals must stay informed about emerging trends and statistics to adapt their services effectively and meet the evolving needs of families. From the rise of mobile phone usage to Artificial Intelligence (AI), understanding key statistics can help funeral homes stay ahead of the curve.

Preneed Planning for the Sandwich Generation

As funeral professionals, you understand the evolving needs of families in your community. Among the most complex and growing demographic is the “sandwich generation” — adults who are responsible for their aging parents while also supporting their own children, therefore “sandwiched” between two vastly different family groups. Balancing these responsibilities often leads to looking for ways to reduce financial burdens and plan for the future, making preneed planning an ideal solution.

Connecting with this generation can help relieve some of their financial burdens, while allowing your funeral business to secure financial stability. Keep reading for how to best connect with and share the benefits of preplanning with the sandwich generation.

Funeral Service Events to Add to Your 2025 Calendar

We’re jumping right into convention season this year and can’t wait to meet new funeral professionals and see familiar faces! Each state and national convention offers a chance to learn more about the funeral profession, meet new people and discover tools and processes to strengthen funeral home businesses. In this post, we’ll highlight the well-known, larger conventions where you can find us this year, but check out our events calendar for a full list of events where you can find Homesteaders team members in 2025.

KPIs to Track for Your Preneed Program

A robust preneed program offers many benefits for funeral homes, such as securing business for the future and increasing awareness and preference for the firm. But how well do you really know the results that your preneed program is driving ­— and what that means for improving your strategies for managing and growing your business?

Beyond the Business: Cultivating Fellowship and Learning in Funeral Service Peer Groups

At Homesteaders Life Company, we understand that funeral service goes beyond providing end-of-life arrangements. It’s about supporting families, fostering meaningful connections and navigating the complexities of grief with care and compassion. For funeral providers, these emotional and professional demands can sometimes lead to feelings of burnout and isolation. That’s why it's important to participate in funeral service peer groups—structured spaces that reconnect professionals with their purpose while fostering fellowship and ongoing learning.

We’ve gathered insights directly from funeral professionals in peer groups to help you understand the value of these communities and how to make the most of them.

The Secret Power of Introverted Funeral Professionals

Happy World Introvert Day! Since 2011 World Introvert Day (January 2) provides an opportunity for people to better understand and appreciate introverts, who make up about one-third to one-half of Americans, depending on which study you consult, according to our marketing team's most recent book club read, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain.

Top 5 Blog Posts for Funeral Professionals in 2024

At the end of each year, we like to pause and reflect on the opportunities we’ve had to connect with you, our readers, through the Homesteaders Blog. As you begin to look ahead and plan your goals for 2025, we encourage you to revisit our most popular posts from last year.

Our Top Calling Hours Podcast Episodes of 2024

As we reflect on our first year of the Calling Hours Podcast and think about the amazing conversations we’ve had with leaders in the funeral profession, we hope our guests have inspired you as much as they have us. From exploring emerging trends to sharing stories of resilience and innovation, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our most popular episodes.