Homesteaders Blog

Final Disposition Options for Families Who Choose Cremation

Cremation has exploded in popularity in recent years. According to a CANA (the Cremation Association of North America) publication The Cremationist, the national cremation rate for 2021 was 57.5%. Among Homesteaders’ policyholders who prearranged, the cremation rate for 2022 was 57.0%. Here are thoughts from families who chose cremation services. While it’s not the most environmentally friendly method for disposition, cremation does have several eco-benefits. Families who choose cremation often forgo traditional caskets, which saves on resources like wood, metal and concrete – as well as the energy used to produce them. Cremation often takes up less space in a cemetery or none at all if the urn is kept at home or the ashes are spread on private property.

Death Care Collective Empowers Female Leaders in the Funeral Industry

A significant demographic shift in the funeral industry has occurred in recent years. As more female workers enter the funeral profession, the need for a space to provide community and support for success quickly arose, and the Death Care Collective initiative was established. A group of driven female leaders in the industry were determined to provide opportunities to empower one another and promote the employment and advancement of women in the funeral industry. Thus the formation of the member-based group, which is currently in the process of becoming a registered nonprofit organization.

Funeral Business Leadership Series: Part 3 - Leading in the Community

This is the final post in a series of three blog posts showcasing how small improvements can help you become a business leader in your industry and community. In the first post, we discussed Leading the Business, in the second post we discovered Leading a Team and in this third post, we will cover how to be a leader in your community, including establishing yourself as a thought leader, joining community groups, hosting community events and boosting your digital marketing efforts.

Funeral Business Leadership Series: Part 2 - Leading a Team

This is the second in a series of three blog posts showcasing how small improvements can help you become a business leader in your industry and community. In the first post, we discussed Leading the Business, and in this second post, we will cover how to hire, manage and retain an exceptional team of funeral professionals.

Funeral Business Leadership Series

From staying up to date on industry trends, hiring the right people for your business to even marketing and community outreach, you are focused on running and growing your funeral home business. We know it can be exhausting, but we’re here to help! This series of three blog posts showcases how small improvements can help you become a business leader in your industry and community.

Funeral Business Leadership Series: Part 1 - Leading the Business

This is the first in a series of three blog posts showcasing how small improvements can help you become a business leader in your community and industry. In this first post, we will cover essential traits for successful funeral business professionals and upcoming industry trends to watch out for in the coming year.

As a funeral professional, you often take care of a variety of functions in your business, handling everything from planning and executing funerals (obviously!) to accounting, human resources or even social media. It can be exhausting to say the least. So how do you find time to keep up with all of it? Let’s uncover the essential traits that successful funeral professionals need and our prediction on the top three key industry trends to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Why Families Prearrange: What Funeral Professionals Need to Know

Not all families have an opportunity to prepare for or understand their loved one’s end-of-life wishes. In situations where death occurs unexpectedly, the process of planning a meaningful service or celebration of life without their loved one’s input can take an emotional and financial toll on the family members they left behind. That is why it is important to ensure families know that making advance funeral plans can help relieve that burden for their loved ones. Learn why you should discuss the importance of making advance funeral plans with families and discover preneed trends and resources to help you have productive conversations.

Today's Fundamentals for Marketing Your Funeral Home

The digital age has been in full swing for several years now, but it's different in 2021. We're all getting back down to business after the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything on its ear. Independent funeral homes find themselves reckoning with the most significant disruption event they've faced in years.

How to Adapt Your Funeral Home Website During Times of Crisis

While in-person support and service are limited, your funeral home’s online presence has never been more important. You have an opportunity to provide comfort and high-quality service through your funeral home website, turning it into a hub for families who need answers about what to expect for funeral services.

How To Recruit And Retain Millennial Employees

The millennial generation is the next up-and-coming group of people who are preparing to take over funeral home business operations. In fact, millennials are expected to make up 50% of the general workforce by 2020. It can seem like a difficult task to find and keep employees who are part of this younger generation, and for good reason. The average millennial holds 7.8 different jobs between the ages of 18 and 30, which can make them seem unwilling to settle down. The truth is that millennials want to be treated just like any other employee, with a few select differences. Discover what you can start doing today to more easily recruit and retain millennial employees.