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The U.S. Bureau of Census projects deaths to increase at the approximate rate of 1 percent per year to 2010. Gains in industry revenue have slowed, with some stock prices dropping, despite continued consolidation by corporations and improved business practices by independent funeral homes. The steady rise in the cremation rate, as well as a trend toward personalization, continues to influence the industry to find creative ways to market its services. More than 22,000 funeral homes exist in the United States. Of this number, almost 87 percent are family owned and operated. Funeral homes in the United States average 47 years in business; however, it is not uncommon to find firms that have been in operation for 100 years or more.
Various alternative groups exist throughout the United States to provide consumers with options to reduce their funeral costs. These groups, generally referred to as memorial societies, attempt to offer their members savings over the cost of using traditional funeral establishments. In some cases, they negotiate with funeral directors to provide discounted costs to members.
By not having the higher overhead associated with operating a full-service funeral establishment, these organizations are generally able to provide lower costs to the consumer. However, in most cases this results in a reduction of attendant services normally associated with a traditional funeral. Prices of funerals were increasing dramatically in the 2000s, which led more consumers to shop around for bargains on the Internet, where competition to traditional funeral homes has recently sprung up.
At Funeral Depot, which began its Web site in 2000, consumers can shop for caskets, urns, vaults, grave markers, and other supplies and have them delivered to the funeral home, usually by the next day. Although a viable, FTC-mandated alternative, online sales are still a very small portion of the funeral business, with the Funeral Depot estimating its market share as 0.125 percent of the total market. Traditional funeral homes are turning to the Internet for other reasons, however. About a dozen funeral homes offered live web casts of funeral services by 2001.
Other funeral homes have offered online remembrance registries that allow relatives and friends outside the area to read obituaries, make donations, participate in a private planning area, or post comments about the departed.
Source: "Funeral Service and Crematories." Encyclopedia of American Industries. Online Edition. Thomson Gale, 2006. Business & Company Information Center. Gale Cengage Learning. University of Texas At San Antonio, John Peace Library. San Antonio, TX. 20 Apr 2009.
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Job opportunities are expected to be good, particularly for those who also embalm. Some mortuary science graduates relocate to get a job. Employment change. Employment of funeral directors is expected to increase by 12 percent during the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Projected job growth reflects growth in the death care services industry, where funeral directors are employed. Job prospects. In addition to employment growth, the need to replace funeral directors who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons will provide a number of job opportunities.
Funeral directors are older, on average, than workers in most other occupations and are expected to retire in greater numbers over the coming decade. In addition, some funeral directors leave the profession because of the long and irregular hours. Some mortuary science graduates relocate to get a job.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos011.htm#outlook
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The funeral industry is characterized by family-owned businesses, which typically have been owned for a few generations. The industry is primarily comprised of small businesses, which operate in localized markets. However, there is a consolidation trend-taking place in the industry, as discussed earlier, which has resulted in a few nationally recognized companies. The industry is fragmented and as such may be subdivided according to religion, cultural or ethnic background.
Source: http://www.funeral-home-financing.com/funeral-home-industry.html
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The saying goes, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." But the current troubling economic times has even the "death" industry feeling a bit lifeless, as families look to cut funeral costs. More than 21,000 funeral homes are in the U.S., employing some 105,000 people, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The $11 billion-a-year industry is largely comprised of privately run firms, with 89 percent of all funeral homes being owned by families, individuals or small independent corporations. "We've definitely seen a rise in cremation" Scanlan-Wespestad told CNN. Her business has seen an 11 percent jump in cremations because of family financial considerations, she said. "On average, a family can save up to $4,000, $5,000 by choosing cremation, so that's not really surprising in this economy," she said.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/15/funeral.business/index.html
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French, the oldest family-owned funeral services company in New Mexico, is adding green funeral alternatives in its Albuquerque-area practice. Green options include natural burials and biodegradable urns and eco-friendly wicker caskets. Casket choices approved by the Green Burial Council include woven willow caskets, lined with natural fabric. Professional preparation of the deceased without embalming is available prior to visitation and services.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/04/06/daily5.html
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Funeral Services: the Industry, Its Workforce, and Labor Standardshttp://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1208&context=key_workplace
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