By Thomas A. Parmalee Alan Creedy and Danny Jefferson, two funeral service innovators who host a popular podcast, pondered whether every family that asks for a direct cremation really wants one in their latest episode of “Two Guys and a Question.” Jefferson began the podcast by pointing out that there…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee When Tammy Friedman talks about direct cremation, she doesn't begin with affordability. She doesn't start with convenience, online arrangements, or the growing cremation rate. Instead, she talks about grief. "I've found that families who choose direct cremation aren't looking for fewer services," Tammy said. "They're looking…
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By Thomas A. Parmalee Tom Clayton joined FT North America as director of business development about six months ago, bringing seasoned expertise to the company. Clayton, who has worked in deathcare for about 10 years, including a previous stint as a sales representative at FT, said he’s thrilled to have…
Read MoreThe Cremation Association of North America continues its commitment to providing accurate and comprehensive cremation statistics to the deathcare profession and consumers. With over 25 years of data collection from state and provincial vital statistics departments, CANA's cremation statistics are widely regarded as the most reliable and current in the…
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By Thomas A. Pamalee When Patrick Kane, a former administrator at a private Catholic school, first crossed paths with Andrew Czachor – a student – there is no way he could have known that they’d one day be business partners. But about 10 years later, that’s where they stand as…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee If you own or work at a funeral home that does less than 500 cremations on an annual basis, 2026 may be a year to remember. FT North America is introducing a new machine in January 2026 – the FT-USA-XL – which will be the company’s…
Read MoreThe Czachor family, founders of ASD — Answering Service for Directors, have launched a new aviation-based venture: Cremation Air, a professional aerial ash scattering service designed exclusively for funeral homes. The service provides meaningful ocean and waterway scatterings completed by certified commercial pilot Andrew Czachor, son of ASD Family-Member Owner…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee Timing is everything – and when the dotcom bust of 2003 hit, it could not have come at a worse time for Michael Madore, who suddenly found himself laid off from his job selling data and technology solutions to the automotive industry. With a baby on…
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Americans are choosing cremation more than ever before, setting a new milestone in funeral service trends for 2025. According to the National Funeral Directors Association's 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, the U.S. cremation rate will reach 63.4% this year, more than double the projected burial rate of 31.6%. These shifting…
Read MoreFT North America (Facultatieve Technologies) has announced the first of its kind “Hands On” training for crematory operators. Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or a new operator looking for FT certification, this interactive class led by FT professionals is the perfect place to learn, set at the historic Cincinnati…
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The Cremation Association of North America continues its commitment to providing accurate and comprehensive cremation statistics to the death care industry and consumers. With over 25 years of data collection from state and provincial vital statistics departments, CANA's cremation statistics are widely regarded as the most reliable and current in…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee It almost sounds too good to be true. FT North America is introducing a new option that will allow clients to finance new equipment on a pay-per-cremation basis. “We think this innovative new approach will help many current operators finally make the move to replace aging…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee Max Lemper-Tabatsky teamed up with Miles Adams, formerly the head of operations of Tulip Cremation, to launch Honos about four years ago, which aims to redefine memorialization by offering families a selection of modern, innovative urns. Honos is comprised of two brands: a consumer-facing business, Oaktree…
Read MoreBy Thomas A. Parmalee Lisa Malcore, vice president of Malcore Funeral Home & Crematory and the CEO of Solace Urns, never thought of getting into funeral service – or starting an urn company for that matter. But things can change pretty fast when you marry a fifth-generation funeral director. She…
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