For many in funeral service, the profession is something they choose later in life. For Tom Anderson, it was a responsibility that arrived suddenly — and one that ultimately shaped a decades-long career that continues today through journalism, commentary and industry analysis.
During a recent episode of The Graveyard Shift, a podcast sponsored by Passare, Anderson reflected on his unexpected entry into funeral service, the evolution of consumer expectations and the future challenges funeral homes may face in an increasingly divided economy.
Anderson, now known across the profession as the CEO and editor of Funeral Director Daily, shared how his career began while he was still a college freshman. His father died unexpectedly over Easter weekend, forcing the family to confront the future of their funeral home business almost overnight.
As Anderson recalled during the conversation, his mother faced a difficult decision: either sell the funeral home to someone else or he could buy it from her over time. Despite his youth and limited experience, Anderson stepped into the role.
He transferred to the University of Minnesota while continuing to help operate the funeral home, supported by longtime employees who guided him through the business during those early years.
That unexpected beginning eventually turned into a 35-year ownership career before Anderson sold the funeral home to a regional consolidator.
One of the themes that emerged throughout the podcast was how entering funeral service at such a young age shaped Anderson’s perspective on both business and life. He noted that while many of his peers were still exploring careers, he was already carrying significant responsibility.
After selling his funeral home, Anderson’s next chapter began somewhat unexpectedly through exposure to blogging and digital media. Anderson explained that after selling the funeral home, he got to know a CEO who operated a blog as part of the company’s marketing strategy. Fascinated by the format, Anderson saw an opportunity to create something similar specifically for funeral service professionals.
What began as a simple effort to mentor younger funeral directors through regular commentary evolved into one of the industry’s most widely read independent news platforms.
Initially writing only a few times per week, Anderson soon discovered there was significant appetite for straightforward business reporting focused exclusively on funeral service. Sponsorships followed shortly thereafter, helping the publication grow steadily. Today, Funeral Director Daily is supported by 18 sponsors and has become a consistent voice covering acquisitions, cremation trends, cemetery operations, succession planning and funeral service economics.
Throughout the interview, Anderson repeatedly returned to one central question: Are funeral homes still providing the solutions families actually want?
According to Anderson, funeral service once operated in a relatively straightforward environment. Families largely followed traditional patterns involving visitation, burial, caskets and vaults. Today, however, memorialization preferences are far more diverse, and consumers increasingly seek personalized solutions that extend beyond a traditional funeral service.
Anderson suggested the profession may sometimes fall into the trap of assuming families still want the same offerings that dominated decades ago.
Instead, he challenged funeral professionals to think more broadly about how they help families memorialize loved ones — not just during the week of death, but for years afterward.
The conversation also explored larger economic pressures affecting funeral service. Anderson referenced what economists often describe as a “K-shaped economy,” where affluent households continue growing wealthier while middle- and lower-income consumers face increasing financial strain due to inflation and rising costs.
He believes this growing divide may eventually force funeral homes and cemeteries to reconsider how they position themselves within their markets.
For funeral professionals listening to the episode, Anderson’s story offered more than a career retrospective. It served as a reminder that funeral service continues to evolve rapidly — and that long-term success may depend on a provider’s willingness to adapt to changing consumer expectations while still preserving the profession’s essential mission of serving families during difficult moments.
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