Uploaded byNational Funeral Directors Association
Spring 2012 NFDA Meet the Mentors - Musgrove Presentation
The document summarizes trends and challenges facing the funeral service industry. It notes that deaths have increased 44% over the last 50 years while funeral costs have risen significantly. Cremation rates have also risen dramatically and are projected to reach over 50% nationally by 2025. This presents challenges as consumer preferences and traditions change. Other challenges include competitive pressures, a changing workforce, and lifestyle changes. To adapt, firms must provide enhanced facilities, personalized services, and focus on staff training to better meet evolving consumer needs through celebration of life events and creative product offerings. Continual learning and a willingness to change are vital for businesses to survive in this evolving industry.
Spring 2012 NFDA Meet the Mentors - Musgrove Presentation
- 1. Trends and Challengesin Funeral Service ABFSE Meet the Mentors 2012
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- 5. MUSGROVE MORTUARIES & CEMETERIES - 2000’s England’s Funeral Homes West Lawn Memorial Park Lane Memorial Gardens Springfield Memorial Gardens
- 6. LIFE’S CHALLENGES •PERSONAL •PROFESSIONAL •BUSINESS
- 7. PERSONAL: Health, Family, Friends Community,Faith, Fun Balance…
- 8. PROFESSIONAL: Learn, Listen, Plan,Transition
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- 10. Source: U.S. NVSR,2010 The last 50 years deaths have increased 44%. from 1.7 million to 2.46 million. Funeral costs have risen form $708 to over $6560.
- 11. Source: U.S. Census,1998 The next 40 years data shows deaths will increase 71%, from 2.4 million to 4.1 million. While sales and prices have increased, the number of funeral homes has decreased from 2000 to 09 by 11%
- 12. PROFITABAILITY TRENDS FOR FUNERAL HOMES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS 1980 - 13.73% 1990 - 8.69% 2000 - 8.64% 2010 - 5.52% PROFITIBILITY HAS DROPPED 59% IN THE LAST 30 YEARS!
- 13. Critical Issues PRESSURES ARE WE ALL FEELING IT?! What are the main challenges we Face? What do we do?
- 14. CHALLENGES What are businessimplications of recent shifts in consumer behavior? - Cremation - Competitive pressures - Changing workforce - Changing traditions - Lifestyle changes
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- 18. US DATA Projections •2015 - 46.57% •2025 - 56.66% • Saturation Point? (High 70’s)
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- 21. Musgrove Family Mortuaries & Cemeteries Cremation Rate: 72 percent (serving 1000+ families) 42 percent are Direct Cremation Past mistakes…
- 27. •Women choose cremation morethan men (63% to 45%) (Why is that important?)
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- 29. •Third Party Sales Internet, Casket Store, costco • Low Cost Providers • Media/Critics/Gov. Funerals too expensive? Who is teaching the public about us?
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- 33. Mortuary College Enrollees 1971 - 5% Female Today - 53% Female 76% white, 36% over 30 More Second/Third Career Funeral Service Student Older Students Less Multi-generational Funeral Service Family Student
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- 35. CELEBRATION Trends from “The Funeral” to “The Celebration of Life” (From Cookie Cutter to Personalization) 2004 Harris Study – 13% want a Traditional Service
- 36. Peoples needs haven’tchanged Safety, Participation, Roots, Ceremonies & Rituals, Reality, Significance, Presence Changing Traditions New Ceremonies Replacing Historical Ones
- 37. Integrate Traditions forNon-Traditional Families The Funeral becomes…A Celebration The Visitation becomes…Final Goodbye The Minister/Priest becomes…The Celebrant The Grave Plot becomes…Memorialization The Casket becomes…Memorial Products The Family Dinner becomes…A Reception The Funeral Director becomes…The Event Planner
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- 39. Traditional Funeral Home/ Non-Traditional Families •Over 50% non-church attendees 80%+ generation Xers no church •Mortality Ages 1921 Death was a tragedy Only 31% died over 65 years •2010 average almost 80 years Older women & Older Couples •20% Women have no kids •Ethnic influences •Bigger people…
- 40. How are wesurviving? • Staff training (competent arrangers & event designers) • Product and resource center • Chapel/Facilities/Cemetery remodel • Partnerships (Flowers, Caterer, Hotel, Professionals) • Open policy for cremation and other services • Teamwork/Consolidation • Surveys & Aftercare • Wow them… • Willingness to take chances... ****Educating Staff and the Public of the value of services and memorialization
- 41. STAFF TRAINING SERVICES –Honor/Celebrate the live of the deceased, Publicly say goodbye & share the loss, Support, Personalized, Receptions VIEWING – Opportunity of family and community to say goodbye, Private family farewell, feels like you have taken care of them…tucked them in. Last memory picture. CASKETS – Reflect the deceased, Personalized, Types of metal & Species of wood, Last memory picture. CREMATION CONTAINERS – Required, Peace of mind, What you loved one will be cremated in…What your family is comfortable with. MEMORIALIZATION & KEEPSAKE ITEMS – Pay tribute and stay connected with you loved one, Personalized to each family member, Jewelry or item for home with significant meaning, Leave for future generations.
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- 51. Facilities to meet families needs
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- 56. Musgrove Family Center Pallbearers? Family Room
- 57. Musgrove Family Center The Media Room
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- 73. HOW TO WOW •First call – Roses, Quilt, Flag, No body left behind… • Arrangements – Packages, Cookies, Coffee, Candy, Big Screen TVs, Personal Information, Lots of Choices • Services – Video, Personalized Memorabilia & Memorial Items, Receptions, Personal goodies • Aftercare – Personalized information and help
- 74. IT WILL NEVER HAPPENHERE…
- 75. Changing Traditions From1883 to 2012
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- 78. SUCCESS AND SURVIVAL: Personal– Physical and Mental Health Professional - Positive Growth Business – Listen and Learn & Adapt The ability to Change is vital to success!
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