In a continuing story from Columbia, Missouri, Warren Funeral Chapel and its owners Harold Warren Sr. and Harold Warren Jr. are facing a possible class-action lawsuit. Plaintiff Kathy Johnson has alleged that Warren FC lost her mother’s remains, and is seeking an exhumation order to determine if her mother is buried in the correct plot [...]

How will the aging baby boomer generation affect the funeral industry?

In this summary: a funeral home employee steals urns, then sells them for scrap; an SC funeral home recovers from an arson fire; and an NC funeral home has its license suspended. There are apparently no limits for some people. A former funeral home employee trespassed in a Florida cemetery, stole over 100 urns, and [...]

A St Louis funeral director uncovers questionable practices at a cemetery.

How compassionate are the airlines about bereavement air fare discounts?

Waynesville, MO, southwest of St Louis, may be getting a crematorium. Waynesville Memorial Chapel plans to install a crematory if City Council affirms the zoning recommendation Thursday evening. The city Planning and Zoning Commission approved the application Tuesday evening. Affected residents had several questions about the facility and how it might affect property values, but [...]

The funeral industry isn’t being overly affected by the current US economic issues. Forbes reports that given the aging baby boomer population, the industry is actually looking at a slight upswing. “People don’t borrow from the 401k to buy groceries or gas. This is a major life event, like a wedding, so people are willing [...]

The gremlins in Indiana are setting a new standard for abhorrent behavior. Burglaries are on the increase, and they’re apparently picking targets by reading obituaries. It’s always been a good idea to keep someone at the house during funeral home calling hours. Now it seems it’s a better idea. Sadly, I suspect we’re going to [...]

The New York Times has an interesting short piece about an embalmer in NYC. In my time around the funeral industry, I had occasion to visit prep rooms, and occasionally see bodies in there. Never had the opportunity to observe an embalming procedure.

Retired firefighters in Arizona are working to create an appropriate vehicle for firefighter funerals.