Industries

Funeral & Memorial - Industry

Acronym
Death Business

Often viewed in an unpleasant light, the Funeral Industry provides services that are necessary. Loosely classified into three categories: cemetery owners and operators, funeral homes, and manufacturers of burial and memorial products. The industry’s revenue is determined by the death rate, incremental price increases, product mix, and conditions in the broader economy. Although this sector tends to be consistent, there has been a degree of seasonality in results, and its biggest obstacle is the movement away from traditional burials towards cremation. This trend has been going on for years at a slow, but steady, pace. Cremations produce lower revenues and profits than burials.

1984 Funeral Rule

  • Requires funeral homes & undertakes to use a third party casket for no additional fee (if the customer supplies it)
  • Enacted by the Federal Trade Commission in 1984