funeral services business plan pdf

Starting Funeral Home Business Plan (PDF)

Death is a natural part of life, and as such, funeral homes are a necessity for families and communities. While it may seem daunting to enter into such a sensitive industry, starting a funeral home business can be a fulfilling and profitable business venture. People dying necessitate the need for funeral services. It may sound morbid to say that a funeral home business is a profitable venture. However, it is a matter of necessity and inevitability. A funeral home, also known as a funeral parlour, is an establishment where the dead are prepared for burial or cremation. The funeral services industry is a stable and growing market, with an increasing demand for services as the population ages. A funeral home business can offer a unique opportunity to serve families during one of the most difficult times in their lives and to provide a meaningful and personalized experience. This article will outline how to start a funeral parlour business, and the funeral home business plan (PDF, Word & Excel).

Market Research

It’s important for you to carry out market research before you venture into the funeral home business. You must seek to familiarize yourself with how the funeral parlour industry works first. Then you research into existing funeral home businesses in your target area. You have to find the type of services and products that they offer. Find out their customer segments and how big their market share or reach is. Study their business and pricing models.

Market research will help you identify market gaps, including underserved or unserved locations, as well as weaknesses of the existing funeral parlours. The information and insights you gather from your market research will help you build a successful funeral home business. Your target market, services to offer, and marketing strategies will be determined by the information you get from the market research. Therefore, it is imperative that you take the time to conduct thorough research before starting a funeral home business.

Location And Premises

There are several factors you should take into consideration when selecting a location for your funeral home business. Consider the demographics of the area. The ideal location for a funeral parlour is in an area that has a significant population of old adults, as aged people may require funeral services in the near future. Also consider the income levels of the people in the area, an area with a higher income demographic is more likely to utilise premium funeral services. The funeral home should be located in an easily accessible area with enough space for parking. It should be close to major highways and public transportation – this ensures that families can easily access the funeral parlour.

The premises for a funeral home play an important role in ensuring the success of the business. The funeral parlour premises should provide a comfortable, safe, and peaceful environment for families to grieve and pay their respects to their loved ones. You will need a building to operate from. Typically you will need a building with multiple rooms. Rooms needed for a funeral home include a reception, preparation room, mortuary room and offices. The funeral home business plan should include the costs of purchasing or leasing the premises.

Vehicles And Equipment

A funeral home requires a variety of  vehicles and specialized equipment to provide professional services to its clients. Vehicles are an essential requirement for funeral parlours, as they enable the transportation of the deceased, family members, and funeral staff. Hearses are the most commonly used vehicles by funeral homes, their primary purpose is to transport caskets containing the deceased. Some funeral parlours can also have limousines and buses for transporting mourners. Other equipment required by funeral parlours include mortuary refrigerators, embalming tables, embalming equipment, mortuary stretchers & trolleys, scissor lifts, furniture etc. The funeral parlour business plan should include the costs of acquiring the vehicles and equipment.

Products And Services

A funeral home provides a range of services to assist families in arranging and conducting funeral services for their loved ones. Some of the common services offered by funeral parlours include embalming and preparation of the deceased, casket and urn selection, coordination of funeral and burial services, provision of transportation, and assistance with legal paperwork such as death certificates and insurance claims. In addition to facilitating the traditional burial services, funeral parlours can also offer cremation services. Funeral homes can also provide other extra services such as grief counselling.

While funeral parlours primarily offer services, they can also sell products to facilitate the funeral arrangements. One of the primary products offered by funeral homes are coffins and caskets, which can come in a variety of materials and styles to suit different preferences and budgets. Other products offered by funeral homes include urns for cremation, stationary  such as memorial programs and thank-you cards, floral arrangements, and memorial tribute videos. Your funeral parlour business plan should clearly outline the products and services that your business will offer.

Management And Staff

A funeral home requires a team of dedicated employees so as to provide high quality services to families during their time of need. The employees required by a funeral parlour business include funeral directors/undertakers, funeral assistants, embalmers, drivers as well as administrative staff. Large funeral homes can also employ grief counselors or social workers to offer emotional support and guidance to families. The employees of a funeral parlour must possess a range of qualities to ensure that they can provide the necessary support and assistance to grieving families. Compassion is perhaps the most essential quality, as it is vital that the staff empathise with families and offer them comfort and understanding. In addition to being compassionate, employees should be professional, respectful, and attentive to detail. Good communication skills are also necessary to ensure that funeral arrangements are executed smoothly and that families feel supported throughout the whole process. Thus it is important for all your employees to undergo training to ensure that they provide high quality services to clients. The salaries of all your staff should be included in the funeral home business plan.

The market for funeral services is always there as people are always dying every day. However you need to understand your local market and trends. For example, in some countries cremation is now mostly more preferable than traditional burials. While the demand for funeral services is relatively constant, the market for funeral homes is also impacted by factors such as the local population, demographics, and cultural traditions. As such, funeral homes must be responsive to the unique needs of their local market and be able to offer personalized and culturally appropriate services to their clients. Word of mouth is one of the most important marketing methods for funeral parlours, thus it is important to provide high quality services so as to encourage positive word of mouth referrals. Funeral homes that offer compassionate and professional services, and go above and beyond to meet the needs of their clients, are more likely to receive positive recommendations from satisfied customers. The funeral parlour business plan should also include other marketing strategies that you can use for your funeral home business.

Pre-Written Funeral Home Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the funeral home business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive funeral home business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the funeral parlour business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global funeral parlour business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your funeral home business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a funeral home business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the funeral parlour business.

Uses of the Funeral Parlour Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The funeral home business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your funeral parlor business
• As a funeral home business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the funeral parlour business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Funeral Home Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for a funeral home includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the funeral home business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your funeral parlour business

The funeral home business plan package consists of 4 files

• Funeral Home Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 89 Pages)
• Funeral Home Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 89 Pages)
• Funeral Home Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 48 pages)
• Funeral Home Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Funeral Home Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Funeral Home Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your funeral home business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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HOPE LIFE FUNERAL SERVICES BUSINESS PLAN

Hope Life Funeral Services is located in Burgersfort in the valley of the Spekboom River at the edge of the Bushveld complex in the Greater Tubutse municipality, near the border from Mpumalanga to Limpopo, based corporation that will provide casket/cremation receptacle sales, funeral services, cremation services, community support(CSI) and pre-funeral care services customers in its targeted market. The Hope Life has formed as a funeral cover to solve funeral problem in all homes in Burgersfort and other South African areas. It solely owned by Ramaite Seroka, Mothapo Mary, Muofhe Mulalo, Lewele Mapule, Mushaya Ndamulelo Phillip, Kwapa Joas and Kopa Clearance.

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Funeral Home Business Plan

Used 4,891 times

A Funeral Home Business Plan covers detailed data on the courtesies offered by the company, market analysis, administration strategies, personnel procedures, budget and financing plans, and other applicable topics.

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Business Plan

​ [Sender.Company] ​

Contact Information

Name of owner: [Sender.FirstName] ​ [Sender.LastName] ​

Phone Number: [Sender.Phone] ​

Email: [Sender.Email] ​

Address: [Sender.StreetAddress] ​ [Sender.City] ​ [Sender.State] ​ [Sender.PostalCode] ​ [Sender.Country] ​

Website: (insert website)

At [Sender.Company] , we provide services to honor and remember those who have passed away. We specialize in funerals, cremations, and tribute services (insert type of tribute service, e.g., celebration of life, memorial services, etc.) , and we are committed to helping families navigate the challenges of saying goodbye to a loved one.

Information provided in this business plan is confidential and may not be disclosed to any third parties without the express written consent of the [Sender.Company] team.

Executive Summary

Background information, company overview & description, products & services offered, target market analysis, marketing plan, management team, financial plan.

At [Sender.Company] , we are committed to providing the highest quality funerals, cremations, and tribute services to families in our local community. We understand the complex emotional and financial challenges that can arise at this difficult time, and we are committed to offering compassionate support and expert guidance every step of the way.

​ [Sender.Company] has been providing funeral and cremation services to local families since (insert year) . We have a long history of creating meaningful funeral services while keeping costs affordable. Throughout these (insert number) years, our team has developed a reputation for being caring and compassionate in difficult times.

​ [Sender.Company] is a funeral home located in [Sender.StreetAddress] [Sender.City] [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] . We provide the highest level of care and respect for all your needs, both large and small. Our staff has over (insert number) years of combined experience serving families in our community. At [Sender.Company] , we believe each person is unique and treat each family with dignity and compassion, no matter their circumstances.

We offer a wide range of products and services to support you and your family through every step of the funeral process. Some of our most popular offerings include (insert services such as:)

Traditional funeral services

Cremation services

Funeral pre-planning and arrangements

Bereavement counseling and support programs

Memorial and celebration of life events

Personalized funeral merchandise, such as caskets, urns, and keepsakes

Our target market consists of individuals and families in our local area who need funerals, cremations, and tribute services. Our ideal customers recognize the importance of honoring a loved one's life uniquely while respecting their budget constraints.

Some key demographic characteristics of our target market include:

Our marketing plan focuses on increasing our brand awareness and customer base in the local area. We aim to reach potential customers through a combination of online and offline channels, including (insert list example given below). Our goal is to create an experience that exceeds their expectations while providing an affordable solution.

Specific strategies include:

Developing relationships with local organizations and businesses. (insert list, e.g., religious organizations, civic groups, etc.)

Utilizing social media platforms to share up-to-date information on our services and specials. (insert list, e.g., Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

Creating targeted marketing campaigns to reach potential customers in our local area. (insert list, e.g., radio, print ads, etc.)

Hosting community events such as open houses and information seminars. (insert list, e.g., funeral planning seminars, grief workshops, etc.)

The team comprises experienced professionals from various backgrounds, each bringing their unique set of skills and strengths to the table.

Our team includes:

We also have an advisory board of industry experts (insert name and qualifications/certifications) who provide valuable advice on market trends and new opportunities. They help us stay abreast of industry developments and make well-informed decisions based on the latest information.

We understand that our success depends on our ability to manage our finances responsibly and efficiently. The financial plan outlines the steps we will take to ensure that all financial operations are executed professionally, ethically, and with respect for confidentiality.

Specifically, our financial plan includes: (insert bullet points detailing budgeting and forecasting, cost analysis, cash flow management, financial reporting, and record-keeping, etc.).

We also understand the importance of customer satisfaction when it comes to our financial operations, and we are committed to providing transparent billing practices and clear communication about pricing and fees.

​ [Client.FirstName] [Client.LastName] ​

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​

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Funeral Home Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Funeral Home Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their funeral home companies. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a funeral home business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Funeral Home Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your funeral home business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Funeral Home

If you’re looking to start a funeral home business or grow your existing funeral home company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your funeral home business to improve your chances of success. Your funeral home business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Funding Sources for Funeral Home Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a funeral home business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for funeral home companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a funeral home business.

If you want to start a funeral home business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your funeral home business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of funeral home business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a funeral home business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of funeral home businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the funeral home industry.
• Discuss the type of funeral home business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of funeral home business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of funeral home businesses:

• Traditional or full-service funeral home : Includes the preparation of the body, selection of casket, funeral service details, and full implementation of the funeral and committal service. A full-service funeral home plans and presents every detail of the funeral and burying processes.
• Independent funeral home: This type of funeral home works as a stand-alone business, offering full funeral services or any portion of those services.
• Funeral home and cemetery: A traditional funeral home that is on-site at a cemetery and works in tandem with the cemetery to provide all needed services.
• Funeral home and crematory: A traditional funeral home that contains a crematorium on-site and works in conjunction with the funeral home.

In addition to explaining the type of funeral home business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of gravesites sold, the number of families served,, reaching X number of pre-need funeral packages sold, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the funeral home industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the funeral home industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your funeral home business plan:

• How big is the funeral home industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your funeral home business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your funeral home business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, families, and religious organizations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of funeral home business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than religious organizations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other funeral home businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes private memorial service providers, “scattering of the ashes” ceremony providers, and “celebration of life” event planners. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of clients and families do they serve?
• What type of funeral home business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for the requests of the families?
• Will you offer funeral services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide floral arrangements as part of your service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a funeral home business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of funeral home company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide funeral services with either a cemetery burial or a crematory service and memorial service?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your funeral home company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your funeral home and cemetery business located near a forest, lake or park setting? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your funeral home marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in magazines and newsletters targeted to nurses and caregivers
• Reach out to hospice services
• Create a website utilizing large font sizes to clearly and simply describe services offered
• Engage in pre-need marketing via radio and television

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your funeral home business, including answering calls, planning and providing funeral services, invoicing and giving tours for families, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth funeral service, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your funeral home business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your funeral home business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing funeral home businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a funeral home business or successfully running a hospice center.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you increase your funeral services to 10 per day, and/or offer premium family gravesite memorial areas? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your funeral home business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a funeral home business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your funeral home ownership documentation, or a list of funeral and burial insurance plans you accept.

  Summary Writing a business plan for your funeral home business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the funeral home industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful funeral home business.

  OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s business planning advisors can create your business plan for you.

  Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How To Write a Winning Funeral Home Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for funeral home s wanting to improve their strategy or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you will accomplish it. To create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every funeral home owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a funeral home business plan.

A funeral home business plan is a formal written document describing your company’s business strategy and feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, and your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Funeral Home Business Plan?

A funeral home business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide to your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Funeral Home Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful funeral home business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a funeral home business plan is a one- to two-page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your funeral home company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast, among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your funeral home , you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your funeral home firm , mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen funeral home business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a funeral home business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the funeral home industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a funeral home business’ customers may include families who have recently lost a loved one, individuals who are making funeral arrangements in advance, and businesses that contract with funeral homes to provide services for their employees.

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or funeral home services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan . . Your plan should be laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, or launch a direct mail campaign. You might also consider promoting your funeral home business via PR or word-of-mouth marketing.

Operations Plan

This part of your funeral home business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will outline the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a funeral home include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new locations, launching new products/services, and hiring additional staff.

Management Team

List your team members here, including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Funeral Home

Balance Sheet

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Funeral Home

Cash Flow Statement

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup funeral home .

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Funeral Home

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your funeral home . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you will accomplish it.

Now that you have read about the key components of a funeral home business plan, it’s time to get started on your own. If you are seeking funding, be sure to include detailed financial projections in your appendix section. 

Remember to be clear and concise when writing your business plan and make sure to highlight your team’s expertise and experience. Finally, always keep in mind that your business plan is a living document and should be updated as your business grows and changes.  

Finish Your Funeral Home Business Plan in 1 Day!

Other helpful articles.

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Funeral Home Business Plan Template

Download this free funeral home business plan template, with pre-filled examples, to create your own plan..

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What you get with this template

A complete business plan.

Text and financials are already filled out and ready for you to update.

• SBA-lender approved format

Your plan is formatted the way lenders and investors expect.

Edit to your needs

Download as a Word document and edit your business plan right away.

• Detailed instructions

Features clear and simple instructions from expert business plan writers.

All 100% free. We're here to help you succeed in business, no strings attached.

Get the most out of your business plan example

Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

1. Don't worry about finding an exact match

We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

3. Know why you're writing a business plan

To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

More business planning resources

Simple Business Plan Outline

Industry Business Planning Guides

How to Write a Business Plan

Business Plan Template

10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

How to Start a Business With No Money

How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

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Funeral Home Business Plan Template

•   Funeral Home Business Plan Template (Microsoft Word)  –  $47.00
•   +Add Excel Worksheet (Recommended)  –  $35.00
•   +Add PowerPoint Template and 4 Funding eBooks  –  $65.00
•   +Add Business Startup, Finance, Marketing Documents 781 Templates  –  $185.00
•   +Add Operational, Employee and Policy and Procedure Templates  –  $35.00

How to get funding for your Funeral Home business!

“Here’s the ‘Perfect Solution’ to getting your Funeral Home business funded quickly…even if you don’t have a clue on how to write a business plan and don’t have the budget to pay a professional to do it!”

If you want to get your Funeral Home business organized and funded then here’s the perfect solution:

Did you know that a well-written and researched business plan is the key to getting funding for your Funeral Home business?

But most entrepreneurs neglect this aspect of their startup.

That’s usually because they are not knowledgeable enough to write a business plan on their own.

Or do not have the budget to pay a professional business plan writer.

But if you’ve ever wanted to start a Funeral Home business and you need to write a business plan to get funding then our Hybrid Fusion Business Plan Template is for you .

Our Hybrid Business Plan Template is not just high quality, in-depth and researched, but also a business plan that has examples for you to insert your own market and business specifics into.

A Funeral Home business is a great business for those interested in entrepreneurship.

Opening a Funeral Home provides an essential service to individuals and families during times of loss and grief. In today’s society, there is a universal need for dignified and compassionate end-of-life arrangements. By establishing such a business, entrepreneurs can offer support and guidance to bereaved families, helping them navigate the difficult process of planning funeral services and honoring their loved ones’ lives. Moreover, operating a Funeral Home allows for the creation of a comforting and serene environment, where families can gather to mourn, reminisce, and find solace in the company of loved ones. Additionally, a Funeral Home can serve as a pillar of support within the community, providing resources and assistance to those in need during challenging times. Furthermore, by upholding professionalism, empathy, and respect for cultural and religious traditions, a Funeral Home can make a meaningful difference in the lives of grieving individuals and contribute to the healing process.

And with our business plan template, you’ll be able to seek funding from investors and be up and running in no time.

With modifications (Like the name of your company and owner’s bio, market, financials, company images and location specifics) you can customize this business plan for your exact needs.

Here’s why a free business plan template can risk your chances of funding:

Lenders and investors see thousands of business plans and they know when you’re using a generic free template because the “Wording is just not right.”

You can have the best idea for your venture and pitch it to them perfectly, however when you leave and they review your plan what will it really say about you?

And free isn’t really free if it costs you your funding .

Why leave the future of your business to chance?

Our business plan templates are written for your specific market and references are included.

Start your business off the right way with our comprehensive Hybrid business plan template.

As part of this package, you will receive our Funeral Home business plan template, which contains the following sections:

• Executive summary
• The enterprise
• The business concept and need
• Industry/market overview.
• Growth strategy and implementation summary
• Management plan
• Risk factor
• Use of proceeds

Click here to view sample pages of this exact plan.

Depending on which version of the business plan options you purchase (more on that in a moment), you’ll receive the following:

36 page Funeral Home business plan template with references.

• This Funeral Home business plan template will be delivered via digital download in fully editable Microsoft Word and includes a Funeral Home business pre-written example text, general industry research, references, and narrative already completed for you.
• Red instructional text above each section is included to let you know what to insert in that section. In some areas, you can just add your information, in others you will need to use the example text as a basis to write your own business specifics such as what sets you apart, your local market, your business team, etc.

Click here for screenshots of the plan you will be receiving.

Funeral Home Financial Template in Microsoft Excel (recommended )

This Excel template will allow you to enter financial data specific to your business and will produce proforma financial statements for use in your business plan. The worksheets (Set-up, Start-up, Sales, Headcount, Inventory, Operating Expenses, Capital Budget, Equity & Debt, and Amortization Schedule) contain instructions, questions for you to answer, and boxes (cells) for data entry. Cells in which you are to answer questions or enter data are yellow. Purple cells contain formulas that will be calculated automatically.

Click here for screenshots of these documents.

Business Funding Package with PowerPoint and 4 eBooks

(A must-have if actively seeking investment). Includes a business Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow template “Pitch Deck” to show lenders and investors your concept at a glance. It includes 12 slides with instructional text for you to insert your specific business images and information into.

This funding package also includes the Funding eBook bundle to educate you on your funding options and how to best present your business concept. These 4 eBooks guide you through individual interventions, second-party arrangements, corporate funding options, government interventions, managing business cash flow, quick start funding overview, exit strategy, common mistakes to avoid when pitching your concept, and much more.

Business Startup, Finance and Marketing Templates to show investors that your business is prepared to launch

Business Assessment Documents. Vital documents to make sure you are prepared for your venture. Includes: Business Plan Guidelines, Strategic Planning Checklist, Trend Analysis Checklist, Executive Summary Template, Market Study Outline and Business Analysis Worksheet. 6 Documents to help get you organized.

Business Startup Documents. Essential Documents to Help Launch Your Venture. Includes: Board of Directors Documents, Confidentiality Agreements, General Administration, Basic Financial Checklist, Franchise Feasibility Test, Startup Cost Worksheet, Franchise Comparison Worksheet, Strategic Management, Organization-Wide Goals and much more. 66 Documents to help you get started.

Raising Capital Documents. Practical documents to help you get started raising capital. Includes: Government Grants and Program Worksheets and Guide, Loans and Borrowing Documents, Investment Analysis Summary, Bank Loan Request Sheet, Loan Application Review Form, Loan Calculator, Pledge of Shares of Stock, General Continuing Guaranty, Due Diligence Checklist, Promissory Notes, Investment Analysis Summary, Term sheet for potential investment and much more. 51 Documents to help you obtain funding.

Online Startup Documents. Key documents to establish your online presence. Includes: Advertising and Marketing Online documents, Confidentiality Agreements, Content and Copyright Agreements, Hosting Agreements, Software and License Agreements, Website Development Agreements, Website Notices and Checklists and much more. 72 Documents in total to help you online.

Finance and Accounting Documents. Vital documents for your finance and accounting business needs. Covers: Banking, Bookkeeping, Buying and Selling of Shares, Financial Statements, Government Grant Programs, Insurance, Investments, Investors Relations, Invoices and Billing, Loans and Borrowing, Raising Capital and much more. 169 Documents in total to help with your business finances and accounting.

Employment and HR Documents. Key documents you need as you grow your venture with employees. Covers: Compensation and Benefits, Contractors and Consultants, Employee Records, Employee Reference Letters, Firing and Termination, Hiring Employees, Insurance, Managing and Motivating Employees, Policies and Documentation and much more. 267 Documents in total to help manage your workforce.

Sales and Marketing Documents. Crucial documents as you grow your venture with marketing and sales. Covers: Addressing Complaints, Customer Relations, Market Analysis, Purchase orders and price quotes, Sales and Marketing Management, Sales Agreements and Contracts, Sales letters and much more. 142 Documents in total to help grow your venture.

Advertising and Marketing Online Documents. Documents to get your name and brand online effectively. Includes: Affiliate Program Agreement, Agreement for Internet advertising services, Co-branding agreement terms and provisions checklist, Co-branding agreement, Free linking agreement, Press release template, Website Cross Sponsorship Agreement, Website Linking Agreement. 8 Online Marketing Documents to help develop your online presence.

Business Operational Plan, Employee Handbook, and Policies and Procedures Templates

Show your investor that you are ready to launch by completing these vital foundational documents prior to starting. They include:

Operational plan template for you to describe your business’s mission and operations, including information on your strategic content, company objectives, key performance indicators, key assumptions and risks, goals, and more.

Employee handbook template to create for your current or future employees explaining your policies and what you expect from them and what they should expect from you.

Policies and procedures template (an addition to your employee handbook) to communicate the culture of your business, your standards on employment, schedules, compensation, benefits, hiring policies, and other workplace policies to protect not just your business but also your employees.

*These are templates for you to complete as operations and employee requirements vary per business. Please view the sample pages.

(Delivered in digital Microsoft Word format)

That’s a lot of information! But don’t be overwhelmed. We have offered each item individually so you can choose what you need or all of them. Scroll down to learn more.

See what our customers are saying about our business plan templates.

“The plan had some great points that were very beneficial and important to my business. I hope other clients are able to see the value you are able to provide in their business plans, just like myself. I would highly recommend you to other prospective entrepreneurs. It’s been a pleasure and I look forward to execute my business plan.”

Kristina K.

“Honest Business Plans has given me the tools and inspiration to pursue my business venture. Not only was the template helpful in helping me form my business idea it really explains how it would benefit my company.”

Mikio VanDrunen

“Shawn has been a tremendous help to me and my business ventures. His templates were extremely helpful to me with regard to moving my business from the conceptual phase to something that could be successfully implemented. Furthermore, his business plan example and associated materials allowed me to organize and structure my venture according to how I wanted to run and grow my business. I also found the process much easier with the materials (as opposed to doing everything on my own), since they provided a solid blueprint for my business.   I would recommend Shawn and his team to other entrepreneurs and business owners without hesitation. They have been great to work with!”

Kevin Cisney

The best part about our plans is that the TIME-CONSUMING parts are DONE for YOU.

Our Hybrid Fusion Business Plan Templates save you time as most portions are already completed for you, including the general narrative, market research and format are already researched and written for the Funeral Home industry.

What makes our Hybrid Fusion Business Plans Different?

Here are just a few reasons why our Honest Business Plan Template is the best solution to begin planning your venture:

• Formatted layout for investor and lender use.
• A full narrative written from scratch for your industry.
• Red instructional text guides you through each section of the business plan, explaining what each section is about and what to include, ensuring a polished, professional plan.
• Written in a persuasive way to show investors the true potential of your venture.
• Hybrid Fusion Cross between a business plan sample and template to make customization more realistic.
• Simple Pricing: Straight forward pricing no long-term subscription or obligation. Purchase and instantly download and edit.

Click here for sample pages of this Funeral Home business plan template.

But we don’t want to sell you on EASY.

We want to make sure you obtain a researched market-specific business plan template you are able to build a realistic and truly investor-friendly business plan upon.

Real investors and lenders see 3 to 15 business plans a day.

With the big “Corporate” business plan template companies luring you in with an “Easy” business plan those very lenders see right through them.

With our plan templates, you will have something extensive, unique as well as researched to set you apart from the “Corporate” generic business fill-in-the-blank plan templates.

Know exactly what you will be receiving by viewing our sample pages for this business plan here.

Do it yourself and not only save but learn more about your business as well.

• Each complete plan takes us about 160 to 200 hours to research , write and create and is written in a way to make it easy to understand yet investor friendly. A professional business plan writer would charge a minimum of $650 to create a unique business plan of our length.
• This is the viable solution you have been looking for. A comprehensive template with full narrative specifically for your industry. Our business plans are investor friendly, and offered at a fraction of the cost of a professional business plan writer.
• We stand behind our quality. Our plans are in-depth and researched. If you are able to find a more researched, referenced, comprehensive, Funeral Home business template for the Funeral Home industry for a lower price we will refund your money.
• Don’t believe the MYTH of “Fill in the blanks” business plan templates. Each venture is unique as is each market. If someone promises you a “fill-in-the-blanks” template or automated way to create your business plan then you are effectively getting a generic plan. Our hybrid business plan offered here is researched written and formatted specifically for the Funeral Home industry.
• Before purchasing, please understand the usage of this document (Yes, you will have to put in some work)  we are honest about what we offer and provide screenshots of the documents you will be receiving so there is no misunderstanding.

A customized or turn-key document from a reputable professional business plan writer starts at $950 and a cost upwards of $5,500 or more (A Google search will show you this).

We are attempting to help you get started on a budget hence we are providing our extensive hybrid fusion business plan documents as a starting point for you to build your plan upon.

30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.

Like any business, there are risks. I am so confident that this is the most comprehensive Funeral Home business offering out there that if you are able to find a more comprehensive Funeral Home business plan package that includes a 35+ page business plan template and matching Excel worksheet for a lower price, I will refund your money. Click here for terms and conditions.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A TURN-KEY SOLUTION, BUT AN EDITABLE TEMPLATE THAT IS MEANT TO SERVE AS A FOUNDATION/BASIS/OUTLINE ON WHICH YOU CAN DEVELOP YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL FUNERAL HOME BUSINESS PLAN WITH SOME EFFORT.

THE BEST TIME IS NOW

There is never a better time than the present to start your Funeral Home as the need for compassionate and dignified end-of-life services remains constant, and providing support to grieving families is a timeless and essential aspect of community care. The resources we provide will help jump-start you. However, in the end, only you can choose to make a difference in your life.

*This is a Business Plan Template/Outline in Unlocked and Editable Microsoft Office and should only be used as a starting point/foundation to write your own plan. You will need to edit it for your needs.

CHOOSE THE OPTIONS THAT WORK BEST FOR YOU. SSL Secured Checkout via PayPal or Credit Card. Your future Funeral Home customers are waiting.

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Disclaimers (Please read prior to purchase)

-This is an editable example business plan template, which is in between a business plan template and a sample. This is NOT a complete Turn-key business plan. Modify and use this Hybrid business plan template as a foundation to create your own plan. View Sample pages to see exactly what you will be receiving.

-We are unable to make any changes to this plan or excel sheet or pitch deck or documents for you.

-By purchasing these documents, you agree not to resell, copyright, or post them online.

-Digital Download for Microsoft Office XP 10.0 in Windows XP and higher versions.

-Will also open in Microsoft Office for Mac, however, some formatting issues may be present and will need to be corrected. For this reason, we are unable to guarantee 100% direct compatibility with Microsoft Office for Mac.

-This is a large Microsoft Word file. Please keep in mind that we are not responsible if your computer processor is unable to render them quickly. We have tested these files on multiple MACs and PCs and they render fine on our end. However, we are unable to account for or guarantee how the files will perform on your end due to various extensions and operating system performance. Although rare, if you are having rendering issues you may need to attempt to open and work on the Microsoft Word files on an alternative, newer or faster computer.

The best time to start is now. Purchase with confidence. SSL Secured Checkout and 30-Day Money Back Guarantee if you are able to find a more comprehensive and up-to-date plan and funding package combination for a lower price point.*

Thanks for scrolling down to the bottom of this page! Whether you purchase from us or not I wish you much success in your Funeral Home business venture!

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Here is a free business plan sample for a funeral home business.

If you're considering opening a funeral home and are seeking guidance on how to start, you've come to the right place.

In the content that follows, we will present you with a comprehensive business plan tailored for a funeral home.

As you may be aware, a meticulously developed business plan is crucial for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap, outlining your vision, objectives, and the strategies you will employ to navigate the sensitive and important industry of funeral services.

To craft a dignified and thoughtful plan with ease, you are welcome to utilize our funeral home business plan template. Our specialists are also available to provide a complimentary review and refinement of your plan.

How to draft a great business plan for your funeral home business?

A good business plan for a funeral home must address the unique aspects of the death care industry.

To start, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the market. This includes up-to-date statistics and an examination of emerging trends within the funeral service sector, as illustrated in our funeral home business plan template .

Your business plan should clearly articulate your vision, define your target market (such as local families, specific religious or cultural communities, etc.), and establish your funeral home's distinctive services (traditional burials, cremations, green funerals, etc.).

Market analysis is a key component. This requires a thorough understanding of local competitors, industry trends, and the evolving preferences of families and individuals when it comes to honoring their loved ones.

For a funeral home, it is imperative to detail the services you intend to offer. Describe your range of services - from full-service funerals to memorial services and direct cremations - and explain how these services cater to the needs and expectations of your clientele.

The operational plan is vital. It should outline the location of your funeral home, the layout of viewing rooms and chapels, supplier relationships for caskets and urns, and the logistics of the service offerings.

For a funeral home, it is important to highlight your commitment to compassion, professionalism, and respect for diverse funeral practices and cultural sensitivities.

Then, delve into your marketing and sales strategy. How will you engage with the community and build trust? Consider outreach efforts, pre-need arrangements, and community involvement.

Utilizing digital strategies, such as a website or social media engagement, is increasingly important to connect with families and provide them with information and support.

The financial plan is another critical element. This should include the initial investment, revenue projections, operating expenses, and the break-even analysis.

In the funeral home business, it is essential to have a clear financial plan due to the high costs associated with property, facilities, and specialized equipment. For assistance, refer to our financial forecast for a funeral home .

Compared to other business plans, a funeral home's plan must pay special attention to regulatory compliance, the sensitive nature of services provided, and the need for a highly trained and empathetic staff.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you to define your strategies and vision but also to attract investors or secure loans.

Lenders and investors are looking for a thorough market analysis, realistic financial projections, and a clear understanding of the day-to-day operations of a funeral home.

By presenting a detailed and substantiated plan, you showcase your dedication to providing a vital service to the community and your commitment to the success of your funeral home.

To achieve these goals while saving time, you can start with our funeral home business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a funeral home business

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a funeral home .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The funeral services industry is a stable and essential sector with significant figures.

Recently, the global funeral services market was estimated to be worth over 100 billion dollars, and this figure is expected to maintain due to the inevitable nature of death and the growing preference for personalized funeral services.

In the United States, there are over 19,000 funeral homes, representing a total annual revenue of approximately 20 billion dollars for the funeral services sector.

These figures underscore the critical role funeral homes play in society and their substantial economic impact.

Current trends in the funeral services industry reflect a shift towards more personalized and non-traditional services.

Green burials and eco-friendly funeral options are gaining popularity as individuals become more environmentally conscious, seeking to minimize their ecological footprint even in death.

The use of technology in memorial services, such as live-streaming for those who cannot attend in person, is becoming more common.

There is also an increasing demand for pre-planning services, where individuals arrange and pay for their funeral in advance to ease the burden on their loved ones.

Furthermore, the rise of online platforms for funeral planning and the integration of social media in memorialization practices are notable trends.

These trends indicate how the funeral services industry is evolving to accommodate the changing preferences and needs of society.

Success Factors

The success factors of a funeral home are rooted in several key elements.

Firstly, compassionate and professional service is paramount. A funeral home that provides empathetic support and expert guidance is more likely to earn the trust and loyalty of its clients.

Offering a range of personalized services can also be a significant differentiator in a market where clients seek unique ways to honor their loved ones.

Location and accessibility are important, as a conveniently located funeral home can be more appealing to families during their time of need.

High-quality facilities, including viewing rooms, chapels, and reception areas, contribute to a respectful and dignified experience.

Finally, transparent pricing, effective cost management, and the ability to adapt to industry trends, such as eco-friendly options and advanced memorial technologies, are crucial for the long-term success of a funeral home.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our funeral home project is designed to provide compassionate and professional end-of-life services to the community. Situated in a serene and accessible location, our funeral home will offer a comprehensive range of services including traditional funerals, cremations, memorial services, and pre-planning arrangements, all tailored to honor the wishes of the deceased and their families.

We will focus on providing a dignified and respectful setting for families to grieve and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. Our facilities will be equipped with modern amenities to ensure comfort and convenience during visitations and services.

This funeral home is dedicated to becoming a cornerstone in the community, offering support and guidance during one of life's most challenging times.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our funeral home project is centered on delivering compassionate care and personalized services to families during their time of loss. We understand the importance of a respectful and dignified farewell and are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

Our services are designed to alleviate the stress of funeral planning, allowing families to focus on healing and remembrance. We offer a peaceful and supportive environment where every detail is handled with care and consideration.

We are dedicated to serving our community with integrity and empathy, ensuring that every family receives the support they need to honor their loved ones in a way that is meaningful to them.

Our funeral home will be a place of solace and support, striving to make a difficult time a little easier for those we serve.

Project Owner

The project owner is a compassionate individual with extensive experience in the funeral service industry.

With a background in grief counseling and funeral home management, they bring a deep understanding of the emotional and practical needs of families in mourning. They are committed to creating a funeral home that stands out for its empathetic service, attention to detail, and commitment to honoring the lives of the departed.

With a vision of providing comfort and support, they are determined to offer a range of personalized services that reflect the unique lives of individuals and the wishes of their families.

Their dedication to serving the community and their passion for helping others through difficult times are the driving forces behind this project, aiming to provide a caring and supportive environment for every family they serve.

The Market Study

Market segments.

The market segments for this funeral home are divided into several categories.

First, there are families and individuals in immediate need of funeral services due to the recent loss of a loved one.

Next, there are those interested in pre-planning their funeral arrangements to alleviate the future burden on their families and ensure their final wishes are respected.

The market also includes individuals seeking specialized services such as eco-friendly or "green" funerals, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Finally, religious and community organizations can be a key segment as they often partner with funeral homes to provide services that align with specific cultural and religious practices.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of this funeral home project reveals several aspects.

Strengths include a compassionate and professional staff, a well-maintained facility that offers a comforting environment, and a reputation for providing dignified and respectful services.

Weaknesses could include the sensitivity of the market, the high cost of maintaining a top-tier service level, and the potential for economic downturns affecting customers' ability to afford premium services.

Opportunities lie in the growing trend towards personalized and non-traditional funeral services, as well as the potential to offer grief counseling and support groups as part of the service package.

Finally, threats could include changes in industry regulations, increasing competition from low-cost providers, and shifts in cultural attitudes towards death and funerals.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis in the funeral services sector reveals a mix of traditional funeral homes and new, innovative service providers.

Among direct competitors are other local funeral homes, crematoriums, and alternative service providers such as direct cremation companies.

These competitors vie to offer compassionate care, quality services, and competitive pricing to attract clients during their time of need.

Potential competitive advantages include a strong community presence, a wide range of services, exceptional customer service, and the ability to cater to specific cultural or religious needs.

Understanding competitors' strengths and weaknesses is crucial for carving out a unique position in the market and for building lasting relationships with clients.

Competitive Advantages

Our funeral home's commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care sets us apart in the industry.

We offer a comprehensive range of services, from traditional funerals to modern celebrations of life, all tailored to honor the deceased and comfort the living.

Our focus on supporting families through their grief journey allows us to create meaningful experiences that resonate with our clients and build trust in our brand.

We take pride in our ability to adapt to the unique needs of each family, ensuring that every service is as individual as the life it honors.

You can also read our articles about: - how to open a funeral home business: a complete guide - the customer segments of a funeral home business - the competition study for a funeral home business

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the funeral home is designed to provide compassionate and professional services to families during their time of need.

In the first year, we will concentrate on establishing a strong reputation within the local community, focusing on compassionate service and building trust.

The second year will involve expanding our services to include pre-planning arrangements and grief counseling, as well as enhancing our facilities to accommodate a wider range of memorial services.

In the third year, we aim to integrate advanced technology to offer virtual memorials and live streaming services for families who cannot attend in person, ensuring we cater to the evolving needs of our clients.

Throughout this period, we will remain dedicated to providing dignified and respectful services, while adapting to the changing landscape of the funeral industry.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our funeral home focuses on serving families in need of funeral and memorial services, with a special emphasis on those looking for personalized and compassionate care.

Our value proposition is centered on providing a respectful and professional service, easing the burden on families during their time of loss.

We offer our services through our funeral home facilities, complemented by our online presence, which includes information on services, pre-planning, and grief resources.

Key activities include funeral planning, coordination of services, and ongoing support for the bereaved.

Our revenue streams are derived from the provision of funeral services, sale of caskets and urns, and pre-planning arrangements, while our costs are associated with facility maintenance, staff training, and service delivery.

Find a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is built on sensitivity, respect, and community engagement.

We aim to provide families with information on the importance of pre-planning and the options available for personalizing services to honor their loved ones.

Our approach includes community outreach programs, educational seminars on end-of-life planning, and maintaining a compassionate online presence.

We will also establish partnerships with local hospices, hospitals, and elder care facilities to ensure our services are recommended by trusted professionals.

Additionally, we will utilize targeted social media campaigns and content marketing to reach families in need of our services, while upholding the dignity and solemnity of our profession.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our funeral home is focused on mitigating risks associated with service quality, regulatory compliance, and the emotional well-being of our clients.

We adhere to all industry regulations and ethical standards, ensuring that our practices respect the deceased and provide comfort to the living.

We conduct regular staff training to uphold our high standards of service and empathy. Our financial risk management strategy is conservative to ensure long-term sustainability.

Furthermore, we maintain comprehensive liability insurance to protect against any unforeseen events. Our priority is to deliver impeccable service while safeguarding the interests of the families we serve.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are committed to establishing a funeral home that serves as a pillar of support and solace for families during their most difficult times.

With our dedication to compassionate care, personalized services, and community involvement, we believe we can fulfill the essential needs of our clients.

We are prepared to adapt to the changing demands of the funeral service industry and are confident in the viability of our compassionate approach.

We look forward to providing a service that not only honors the departed but also provides peace of mind to those left behind, ensuring the sustainability and success of our funeral home.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a funeral home business - the marketing strategy for a funeral home business

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a funeral home and our financial plan for a funeral home .

Initial expenses for our funeral home include the acquisition of a suitable property, renovation to create a serene and respectful environment, purchasing specialized equipment such as embalming machines and refrigeration units, securing a fleet of hearses and other service vehicles, and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. We will also invest in staff training for compassionate service delivery, as well as costs related to brand creation and launching targeted marketing campaigns to reach our target audience.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a careful analysis of the local market demand for funeral services, taking into account demographic trends and the cultural importance of honoring loved ones with dignified services.

We anticipate a steady demand for our services, with growth potential as the reputation of our funeral home for providing compassionate and professional services spreads.

The projected income statement indicates expected revenues from our funeral services, merchandise sales (caskets, urns, memorial products), production costs (preparation of the deceased, facilities maintenance), and operating expenses (rent, marketing, salaries, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit crucial for evaluating the profitability of our business over time.

The projected balance sheet reflects assets specific to our business, such as property, funeral service equipment, vehicle fleet, and liabilities including debts and anticipated expenses.

It shows the overall financial health of our funeral home at the end of each period.

Our projected cash flow budget details incoming and outgoing cash flows, allowing us to anticipate our cash needs at any given time. This will help us effectively manage our finances and avoid cash flow problems.

The projected financing plan lists the specific financing sources we plan to use to cover our startup expenses.

The working capital requirement for our funeral home will be closely monitored to ensure we have the necessary liquidity to finance our daily operations, including purchasing supplies, inventory management, and salary payments.

The break-even point specific to our project is the level of sales needed to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, and start making a profit.

It will indicate when our business will be profitable.

Performance indicators we will track include the profit margin rate on our funeral services, the liquidity ratio to assess our ability to cover financial obligations, and the return on investment to measure the effectiveness of our capital invested in the project.

These indicators will help us evaluate the financial health and overall success of our funeral home.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a funeral home business .

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Funeral Home Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Service Industry » Funeral Home

Are you about starting a funeral arrangement company ? If YES, here is a complete sample funeral home business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Death is one inevitable part in the equation of human existence, so the need to prepare for it cannot be overlooked. Some people go as far as buying insurance to take care of their own funeral when they die; whilst others state clearly in their ‘will’ the type of funeral they would prefer.

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This goes to show that the funeral home business will always thrive as long as human exist. The basic things needed to be able to operate a funeral home could range from getting a license to even getting a certification. Some countries consider these as the basics, while in some other countries you could get a waiver for it.

In starting a funeral home, you will be expected to have a standard Casket Carts, Casket Lowering Devices and Accessories, Preparation Room, Embalming Chemicals, Cremation Supplies, Mausoleum, Urn Vaults, Vases, Burial Garments, Waste Containers, Lawn Boards, Straps and Slings and Chairs & Accessories.

If you are in doubt if this kind of business is worth investing in, just try and do a research on existing funeral homes in your area and you will be shocked to know the amount of money they make monthly.

It is important to know that this kind of business is not for everyone, it is for those who naturally can comfort and care for bereaved people whether money is involved or not. If you don’t have this basic quality, you might not succeed in this business.

A Sample Funeral Home Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

A funeral home which can also be referred to as a funeral parlor or mortuary is a business that basically provides interment and funeral services for the dead and their families; these services may include a prepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral.

The funeral home industry includes companies that conduct funerals and prepare the deceased for burial or interment. Funeral homes are also involved in the transportation of the dead and the sale of caskets and other related funeral merchandise.

The Funeral Home industry comprises of funeral homes combined with crematories; on the other hand, businesses whose core business activities is to conduct cremation are not included in the Funeral Home industry; they are classified under the Cemetery Services industry

In the united states of America, most modern day funeral homes are run as family businesses. As a matter of fact a large percentage of trained morticians and undertakers et al work in small, independent family run funeral homes. The owners of these families run funeral homes usually hires two or three other morticians / undertakers as either full – time employees or part – time employees.

It is the practice for funeral homes to have one or more viewing rooms, a preparation room for embalming, a chapel, and of course a casket selection room. So also, funeral homes generally sell coffins and urns, they have a hearse for transportation of bodies, a flower car, and limousines et al.

The Funeral Home Services industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all parts of the world especially in developed countries such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and Italy et al.

Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 24,838 licensed and registered funeral homes responsible for employing about 121,936 employees and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $16bn annually with an annual growth rate projected at 1.3 percent.

It is important to state that in the falling per capita income during the recession period and of course a rising number of low-priced cremations have hampered the revenue generated in the industry.

So also families that are not financially buoyant opt for discount retailers and manufacturers to purchase caskets, which negatively impact revenue generation for funeral home operators. However, the industry’s revenue is projected to grow slightly in the next five years.

No doubt, as the population ages, it is obvious that the number of deaths in the United States and all over the world is anticipated to increase and this will in turn create market for the funeral home industry. Nonetheless, continued competition from discount retailers and the ease of online ordering from casket manufacturers, as well as a rise in low-priced cremations, are expected to curtail prices for funeral home operators.

If you are contemplating starting your own funeral home business in the United States, you should ensure that you carry out a thorough market survey and feasibility studies. If you get some key factors wrong before starting your own funeral home services, then you are likely going to struggle to stay afloat.

2. Executive Summary

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is a registered and licensed funeral home business that will be located in the heart of Cape May – New Jersey in a neatly renovated and secured housing facility; a facility that is specifically designed and equipped with the needed facility for a world – class funeral home services

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is a family owned and managed business that believe in the passionate pursuit of excellence and financial success with uncompromising services and integrity which is why we have decided to venture into the funeral home services industry by establishing our own funeral home business.

We are certain that our values will help us drive the business to enviable heights and also help us attract the numbers of clients that will make our business breakeven within the shortest time frame possible. At Clarion Call – Funeral Homes we will arrange services in accordance with the wishes of surviving friends and family members of the deceased, whether immediate next of kin or an executor so named in a legal will.

We will take care of the necessary paperwork, permits, and other details, such as making arrangements with the cemetery, and providing obituaries to the news media. We will go as far as posting obituaries online and use materials submitted by families to create memorial websites

Our facility include; Wake room: for services and visitations; Preparation room: for embalming and restoration, Merchandise display: caskets and other merchandise that customers may purchase, Privacy room: for the family, Office: for mortician’s personal and administrative use, and Livery: a garage to keep funeral coaches and other vehicles.

We have the required staff strength and we will run a 24 hours a day and seven days a week services. We are going to be a customer-centric funeral home business with a service culture that will be deeply rooted in the fabric of our organizational structure and indeed at all levels of the organization.

With that, we know that we will be enables to consistently achieve our set business goals, increase our profitability and reinforce our positive long-term relationships with our clientele, partners (vendors), and all our employees as well.

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is a family business that is owned and managed by Arthur Stamford and his family. Mr. Arthur has a College degree in Mortuary Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has well over 15 years of experience working in the Funeral Homes Services industry both at state and national level.

3. Our Products and Services

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is set to operate a standard funeral homes service in Cape May, New Jersey. The fact that we want to become a force to reckon with in the funeral home services industry means that we will go all the way out to give our clients a lasting and pleasant memory of their bereaved family members and friend.

We will render services that that will make them want to come back as well as recommend our funeral home services to their friends, family members and business partners. These are the services and amenities that will be made available to our clients;

• Providing funeral director services
• Providing embalming services
• Operating funeral homes combined with crematories
• Providing mortician services
• Providing visitation or viewing services
• Providing funeral services
• Providing graveside committal services
• Direct cremation services
• Selling funeral merchandise (e.g. caskets, flowers and obituary notices)
• Transporting the deceased

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to establish a funeral home brand that will become the number one choice for residence in the whole of Cape May – New Jersey and other cities in the United States.
• Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, safety, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to deliver reliable, genuinely, caring and excellent service superior to what our competition can offer in any location where our funeral home services will be situated and to ensure that we work hard to grow out funeral home services to be listed amongst the top 10 funeral homes in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

It is very vital to build a structure to build on from the very outset. This is why we believe that the success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available role.

Although Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is a family run business will still work with a business structure that will give room to the minimal employees (mostly part – time employees) to explore their creativity, feel belong and full integrate into the business philosophy.

We are aware that when recruiting for a funeral home, your aim should be to look for people who can handle grieving and bereaved people not just people looking for a job in other to be able to pay their bills and that is exactly what we will look out for.

We will only recruit people with good customers’ service skills, people with compassion, people who can empathize, who love this line of business and people who don’t have any problem handling dead bodies. We will not make the mistake of recruiting people with the wrong skill sets; because we know they can ruin our business before it even get started.

This is why we will make sure we recruit smartly and wisely; people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. We intend building Clarion Call – Funeral Homes on this structure;

• Chief Executive Officer
• Funeral Home Director
• Human Resources and Administrative Manager
• Accountants / Cashiers
• Mortician and Undertaker
• Marketing Officer (Contract Worker)
• Cleaners / Washer men (Full – Time Employee)
• Security Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the magazine production and distribution process
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Funeral Home Director:

• Obtains information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
• Oversees the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
• Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
• Plans, schedules, or coordinates funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
• Arranges for clergy members to perform needed services.
• Contacts cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
• Provides information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise and maintain a casket display area.
• Informs survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible.
• Offers counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
• Discusses and negotiates prearranged funerals with clients.
• Maintains financial records, order merchandise, or prepare accounts.
• Provides or arranges transportation between sites for the remains, mourners, pallbearers, clergy, or flowers.
• Plans placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
• Directs preparations and shipment of bodies for out-of-state burial.
• Manages funeral home operations, including the hiring, training, or supervision of embalmers, funeral attendants, or other staff.
• Arranges for pallbearers or inform pallbearers or honorary groups of their duties.
• Receives or ushers people to their seats for services.
• Participates in community activities for funeral home promotion or other purposes.
• Provides emotional support to the bereaved
• Arranges for removal of the deceased’s body
• Files death certificate and other legal documents
• Trains junior staffs

Morticians, undertakers

• Performs various tasks to arrange and direct funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary
• Handles the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
• Handles the removal of the deceased’s body
• Performs embalming duties as necessary
• Closes caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
• Prepares the remains (body)
• Interviews family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office and shop activities.

Marketing and Sales Officer

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for the business
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Cleaners / Washer man:

• Cleans funeral home facilities and grounds.
• Handles and move objects, such as glasses, dish and bottles, using hands and arms.
• Maintains a clean working area by sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of glass doors and windows, etc. if required.
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Responsible for handling laundry
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the restaurant manager,

Security Officer:

• Ensures that the facility is secured at all time
• Controls traffic and organize parking
• Gives security tips to staff members from time to time
• Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
• Submits security reports weekly
• Any other duty as assigned by the funeral home director.

6. SWOT Analysis

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is fully aware that they are coming into an industry that can be highly competitive which is why they have decided to pay attention to the SWOT analysis for the organization.

We know that once we are able to identify our strength, our weakness, our threats and the opportunity that is available to us, we will be able to come up with good business strategies that will help us achieve all our business goals and objectives.

We know that if we get things right before starting our funeral home business, we will not have to struggle before attract loyal clients and building our membership base to a level where we can easily breakeven in record time.

We hired the services of Dr. Garry Larson, an HR and Business consultant with bias in business structuring to help us conduct SWOT analysis for our company and he did a pretty good job for us. Here is a of the result we got from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Clarion Call – Funeral Homes Cape May, New Jersey;

Our area of strength cannot be farfetched; the location of our funeral home services is perfect for such business, our management team has robust experience in the funeral home services industry, our customer’s services is second to none in the whole of Cape May – NJ and our facility is top notch.

We critically looked into our Business model and we were able to identify two major weakness. One is the fact that we are a new business and the second is the fact that we may not have the financial resources required to match up with existing and leading funeral homes in Cape – May, New Jersey and also generating the needed hypes that can drive traffic towards our facility.

• Opportunities:

One thing is certain; our funeral home facility is well – located in busy hence there are loads of business opportunities for us. Besides we are the only funeral home services within a 45 miles radius where ours is located.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a funeral home business operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies – the government, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing / spending power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

All over the globe people die every now and then and that is one of the reasons why the funeral business will continue to soar higher. It is trendy to find funeral homes in the United States of America and in most parts of the world operate a standard and full option services.

They usually have Wake room: for services and visitations; Preparation room: for embalming and restoration, Merchandise display: caskets and other merchandise that customers may purchase, Privacy room: for the family, Office: for mortician’s personal and administrative use, and Livery: a garage to keep funeral coaches and other vehicles.

We have the required staff strength and we will run a 24 hours a day and seven days a week services. Another trend in the funeral home services industry is that falling per capita income during the recession period and of course a rising number of low-priced cremations are seriously hampering the revenue generated in the industry.

So also, families that are not financially buoyant opt for discount retailers and manufacturers to purchase caskets, which negatively impact revenue generation for funeral home operators. However, the industry’s revenue is projected to grow slightly in the next five years.

Lastly, funeral homes in the United States of America are traditionally run by families except for few instances and there are various insurance companies that have funeral insurance policies for their clients. Building a good working relationship with them will position your funeral home to help them handle some of their policy holders.

You can also help them market their funeral insurance cover with the agreement that you will be the one to handle the funerals of the customers you bring to them. This is of course will be a win-win for both parties, and every business person would want to go into such agreement.

8. Our Target Market

We look forward to dealing with those that we plan to focus on in this trade. It will be safe to say that the target market for funeral home services cuts across people of all class, race, religion, and culture as long as they value their deceased loved ones and would want to give them befitting burial or cremation as required.

In view of that, we have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. These are the groups of people we intend marketing our funeral home services to;

• Insurance companies
• Owners of mortuaries
• Retirees and Pensioners
• Corporate Executives
• Government Officials
• Business People
• Celebrities
• Military Men and Women
• Sports Men and Women
• Everyone who resides in our target locations.

Our Competitive Advantage

There isn’t a business on this face of the earth that doesn’t encounter one form of competition of the other. However, it is the ability to be able to stand the test of time in the face of competition that will stand us out anytime anyway. The competitive edge of Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is the excellent and customized service that we offer to all our guest irrespective of their status, religion, race or political affiliation.

We can boldly say that the location of our funeral home services is perfect for such business, our management team has robust experience in the funeral home services industry, our customer’s services is second to none in the whole of Cape May – NJ and our facility is top notch. We are the only funeral home services within our location.

Another significant competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the robust experience of our management team. We have a team that has a combination of 25 years of experience in the funeral home services industry in United States and Canada. They are considered core professionals in their own right.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

We believe that it is very vital to identify our sources of income from the very beginning, so that we will not run into problems. Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the funeral home services industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract guests on a regular basis and sign retainer – ship with most of our corporate clients.

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes will generate income by offering the following services for individuals, families and for corporate organizations;

10. Sales Forecast

We know that sitting on the table and forecasting the sales that we desire will help us draw up good goals for our funeral business.

That is why we are well positioned to take on the available market in Cape – May, New Jersey and beyond and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the funeral home market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Cape May – New Jersey.

Below is the sales projection for Clarion Call – Funeral Homes, it is based on the location of our business consulting firm and the wide range of consulting services that we will be offering;

• First Year-: $150,000
• Second Year-: $250,000
• Third Year-: $750,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

It is important to clearly state that in this dispensation, customers use the Internet to find funeral homes, to read reviews, to view facility available and the location of the funeral home; loads of processes have gone digital. Which is why most bed and breakfasts are increasingly adopting technology and the internet for marketing and advertising their business and we are not going to be left out.

We are quite aware that one of the ways to get people to patronize your funeral home is to build good business relationship with owners of mortuaries. Having a good working relationship with people who mortuaries will enable them refers people to you; since their job is to preserve corpses and yours is to conduct a befitting burial.

We will go all out to strike a deal with them that will ensure that they get a commission for any referral we get from them. These are some of the marketing ideas and strategies that are going to adopt for our bed and breakfasts business;

• Open our funeral home in a grand style with a party for all.
• Advertise our funeral home in relevant magazines, national dailies, Satellite TV stations and Radio station
• Promote our business online via our official website and all available social media platform
• Continuously Improving the performance of our brands
• Hire the services of experts to make our brands the first choice for families and corporate organizations
• Delivering consistent customer experiences to all our clients; making our first impression count positively
• Continuously Improving the efficiency of our funeral home services and operating processes
• Ensure that we put our market scale and knowledge to good use
• Building strong partnerships within our industry and with our stakeholders across the United States of America
• Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our funeral home
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places in and around Cape – May, New Jersey
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our corporate clients such as insurance companies and owners of mortuaries
• Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our funeral home business.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Advert and marketing is one of the backbone of all businesses. It is also the backbone of ours because we know that if we are able to get the right world’s pout there, people will come for us. Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is in the funeral home business to make profit and we can only make profit if we steadily increase our customer base.

No doubt, in order to remain relevant in the funeral home industry in Cape May – New Jersey, we will continue to create hype around our business brand.

We will ensure that we leverage on all conventional and non – conventional publicity and advertising technique to promote our bed and breakfast brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Clarion Call – Funeral Homes;

• Encourage our loyal customers to help us use Word of Mouth (referrals)
• Advertise our funeral home business in relevant magazines, national dailies, Satellite TV stations and Radio station
• Promote our business online via our official website
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations
• Engage in road show from time to time
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Our pricing system is going to be based on what is obtainable in the industry, we don’t intend to charge more (except for premium and customized services) and we don’t intend to charge less than our competitors are offering in the United States of America.

Be that as it may, we have put plans in place to discount our products and services once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers (corporate clients such as insurance companies and owners of mortuaries.

• Payment Options

We want to make our payment mode as simple and free for all as possible. That is why at Clarion Call – Funeral Homes, our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them.

Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our bed and breakfast lodge;

• Payment by cash
• Payment by check
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any difficulty.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to starting a funeral home business, loads of factors influences the amount that will be required to successful launch the business.

Factors like the location you intend starting the business, the size of the funeral home business you want to start i.e. the number of employees and facilities et al, and of course the state of the economy as at when you intend start the business. Here are the key areas where we intend spending our start – up capital;

• The Fee for registering the business in the United States -$725.
• The budget for legal fees, insurance, permits and license – $5,000
• The cost of leasing a facility – 100,000
• The amount needed to renovate our Facility (electrical, furnishings, plumbing, painting and landscaping) – $10,000.
• The Cost for the purchase of furniture and equipment – $10,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and utility deposits – $3,500
• The Cost for initial inventories and supplies – $10,000.
• The Cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost opening party – $5,000 (optional)
• Cost for payment of salaries for the first 3 months of operations – $50,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $5,000

Going by the report from our research and feasibility studies, we will need an average of $200,000 to start a small scale but standard bed and breakfasts business in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Clarion Call – Funeral Homes

We at Clarion Call – Funeral Homes, will leave no stone unturned in generating our funds rightly. Our business is a family business that will be owned by Mr. Arthur Stamford and his family. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 (Personal savings $45,000 and soft loan from family members $5,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $200,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

We know that one of the marks of a successful business is the ability to expand far and wide. The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure.

If all of these factor are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop. One of our major goals of starting Clarion Call – Funeral Homes is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer nothing short of excellent services.

Clarion Call – Funeral Homes will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Remodeling our facility: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, mattress, bed sheets, pillows, duvets, electronic appliances, office appliances and kitchen utensils: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: Completed
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and in the neighborhood: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of all our needed food ingredient for breakfast and toiletries: In Progress.

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Funeral Home Business Plan Sample

Published Oct.03, 2013

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Cynthia Turner

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Table of Content

Starting Funeral home business plan

Are you looking for how to open funeral home? A funeral home business mortician and burial services for the deceased. The services may include funeral planning, body preparation, transportation, burial, or cremation.

Funeral homes have been in demand from always. However, these days the demand for funeral services has increased due to the sudden rise in death rate because of coronavirus.

While it’s true that the funeral home business is profitable, it’s also correct that running such a business is not easy. You will have to procure protective kits, chemicals, and a lot of other mortuary items on daily basis. Moreover, you will need to ensure that strict protocols and safety rules are being followed throughout the process.

To ensure the successful running of your business, it is essential to first create a business plan. If you don’t know the components of a comprehensive business plan, you can take help from this business plan for a funeral home startup, James Funeral Home.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

James Funeral Home will be a licensed and registered funeral home based in San Antonio. The business will aim at performing all the funeral rituals including bathing and enshrouding, burial, cremation, etc. Moreover, the business will also provide catering services and transportation.

2.2 Management of Funeral home

Opening a funeral home is a relatively difficult venture. The funeral process needs to be carried out with great care and attention. Therefore, there must be efficient management and supervision to ensure that all of the sensitive tasks are taken care of properly.

Before exploring how to start a funeral home business you should keep in mind that it is a tough business. Running a funeral home means you have to be on call 365 days a year. Whether it’s Christmas or your wedding anniversary, you’ll have to arrange for the presence at the funeral home. In this sample plan on how to set up a funeral business we will be listing the details of how James Funeral Home will be managed and administered.

2.3 Customers of Funeral home

In your startup business plan for a funeral home, you should identify your customers. So that you can design your services accordingly. The customers of a funeral home are usually families of the deceased. However, in some cases, alive people also plan their funerals before dying.

2.4 Business Target

Our target is to become the number one choice of people of our city whenever they need funeral services. Moreover, we aim at boosting our net profit margin to $24k per month by the end of the three years.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

James Ben will be the owner of James Funeral Home. James holds a BS in Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He has also worked as an embalmer for two years.

3.2 Why the funeral home is being started

After working as an embalmer for two years, James decided to start a funeral home of his own. He entered the business world as he wanted to use his potential to the fullest. And to earn large profits while serving people on a wider scale.

3.3 How the funeral home will be started

Step1: Make Your Business Plan

James had good management skills. However, he didn’t possess the skill set required to make a crematorium business plan. He studied several funeral home business plan examples but eventually decided to hire a professional for it. The marketing analysis, sales strategy, and financial planning done by his business consultant are given in this sample funeral home business plan.

Step2: Get Identified 

The next step is to establish a physical basis for your business and define your business’ services and aims. After this, your customers will start recognizing your presence and the distinct features of yours as compared to your competitors.

Step3: Recruitments

The hiring process is actually a part of the step in which you set up your physical presence. In this phase, you have to organize tests and interviews to find the most skillful and responsible employees for your business.

Step4: A Strong Web Presence

Along with other operations of your funeral home business , it is really important to focus on web development too. Through a website, you will be able to reach a wider audience and leave a positive image of yourself before even interacting with people.

Before owning a funeral home, it is essential to decide your services. Through this practice, you can make arrangements for equipment and space accordingly. In this business plan template for funeral home, we’re listing the services that James Funeral Home will provide.

• Funeral Planning

Our primary service will be providing funeral plans. These days, many people have started to purchase funeral plans. So that their families don’t have to stress over their funeral charges after their death. In this service, we’ll also be responsible for informing all the friends/ relatives of the deceased about the death.

• Body Preparation

We will prepare the dead body to be buried or cremated. This service will include all the relevant tasks such as bathing the deceased, enshrouding, etc. The paperwork required for burial will also be completed by us.

• Burial/ Cremation

We will provide space for performing eulogies and brief prayers for the dead. Moreover, we’ll also be responsible for burying the dead body. Since in some religions, there is a ritual of cremating the deceased. Thus we’ll be offering cremation services too.

• Transportation

We’ll also transport dead bodies from one place to another in specialized refrigerated vehicles.

• Catered Meal

We’ll offer plated dinner to the mourners in a location other than our funeral home. Since funeral homes are generally prohibited to offer food in the same building, we decided to offer it in another building located nearby.

Marketing Analysis of Funeral Home

Accurate marketing analysis is the key to get prominent in the market as soon as you get launched. For doing so it is essential to know the market, direct and indirect competitors, stakeholders, and market fluctuations. An accurate market analysis will enable you

• To recognize the potential customers
• To identify the needs and expectations of your target customers
• To decide a pricing strategy for the business plan that would allow you to meet financial goals while drawing more customers than your competitors

James studied several funeral home business plans to identify potential customers and market trends. However, he ended up realizing that hiring a professional market analyst would be better for him. As that will make him achieve a greater level of accuracy.

Business plan for investors

5.1 market trends.

Funeral homes are high in demand especially after the surge in deaths due to coronavirus. According to IBISWorld, there are more than 28k funeral homes running in the United States. Moreover, Statista predicts that the cremation rate in the U.S. would rise to 79.1 percent by 2035 – resulting in a need for more funeral homes.

Thus, it is evident that opening a funeral home will not run you into a loss. You only need to do efficient planning before starting funeral home to ensure success for your business.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.2.1 Families of Deceased

Our primary customers will be the families of late. We expect them to avail of our body preparation, burial, and catering services. In San Antonio, the population is quite large and so the death rate. Therefore, we expect to get a considerable number of customers.

Our business values are based on customer care. We totally empathize with the families of the deceased. And therefore, to help the grievers in their misery we are offering body preparation and burial services at relatively lower prices.

5.2.2 Funeral Planners

Our second group of target customers will comprise alive people who purchase funeral planners before they die. These days, many adults and seniors have started to buy funeral plans so that their families and friends do not have to arrange money for their funerals.

5.2.3 Old Homes for Elder Orphans

The third category of our target customers will include the organizations that shelter elder orphans. Elder orphans are the senior people who do not have any friends or family to look after them. The funeral charges of such people are often paid by shelter homes. Thus, we expect them to contact us for our services too.

5.3 Business Target

Setting financial and customers’ related goals before starting a business is a good practice. It allows the business owners to direct the energy and resources towards the company’s goals.

And it is important because how much do funeral home owners make is entirely dependent on how well they could manage their assets.

Our business targets are:

• To earn a profit margin of $24k per month by the end of the third year
• To maintain a CSAT score of above 85%

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5.4 Product Pricing

The prices of our funeral plans and catered foods are a little higher as compared to our competitors. However, our other services could be availed at lower rates than those of our competitors.

Marketing Strategy

Sales strategy is another component that can decide the future of your business. This part enables you to reach out to your target customers and increase your sales on a monthly and yearly basis.

In this marketing plan for funeral home, we’re providing the sales strategy of James Funeral Home.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

James studied several funeral business ideas to find out the areas where his competitors were lacking. After that analysis, he decided to come up with the following competitive aspects:

• James Funeral Home will have a user-friendly app so that people can connect to it remotely and conveniently.
• Secondly, it’s the only funeral home in the whole city that is providing catering meals to the mourners in a separate location.
• Third, it has extremely responsible employees who’ll always adhere to SOPs and strict protocols.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We’ll promote our startup through Google Local ads and local magazines
• We’ll offer a 50% discount to the first 100 purchasers of our funeral plans
• We’ll offer a 30% discount on our transport and catered meal services for the first two months of our launch

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

Before starting a funeral parlor business you should make a list of employees you will need along with their job descriptions.

7.1 Company Staff

James will be the CEO himself. However, he’ll hire the following staff

• 2 Supervisors to help manage the operations
• 1 Accountant to maintain financial records
• 1 Front Desk Officer
• 8 Morticians to perform funerals
• 3 Cooks to prepare food
• 2 Waiters to serve food
• 8 Cleaners to maintain the facilities
• 3 General Assistants for routine tasks and paperwork
• 1 Sales Executive to promote the company
• 1 Web developer/ App Developer to manage the company’s website and app
• 2 Drivers to transport dead bodies

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan

Financial planning for a funeral home business is a little complicated. Firstly, because you’ll need to buy and discard certain materials and protective kits off and on. And secondly due to the complexity involved in setting prices of funeral plans. When you sell a funeral plan to a person you don’t know the inflation rate that will prevail at the time of their death. The period may be shorter or longer – resulting in unpredictable losses or profits.

However, there are still many areas through which you can control the financial trajectory of your business. In this build a funeral home business plan, we’re providing the financial plan developed for James Funeral Home. So that you can have an idea of the cash flows, gross margins, and business ratios for this business.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 Brake-even Analysis

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 Business Ratios

Download Funeral Home Business Plan Sample in pdf

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Funeral Home Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a funeral home can be daunting due to a variety of factors, from the sensitive nature of the business to the need for substantial financial planning. To help take the guesswork out of this important endeavor, this guidebook provides a #1 Funeral Home Business Plan Template that is tailored for success. With easy-to-follow instructions, this resource will help aspiring funeral home owners craft a plan of action that will ensure their institution succeeds.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Funeral Home Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Funeral Home Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your funeral home business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your funeral home business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a funeral home business:

Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional and affordable funeral services to families in our community, while creating a dignified and respectful experience that honors their loved ones in a caring and meaningful way.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Funeral Home Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your funeral home business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your funeral home business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your funeral home business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your funeral home business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

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4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a funeral home business?

• Funeral home building and property
• Equipment: caskets, catafalques, hearse, flower cars, etc.
• Office supplies: desks, chairs, computers, printers, and other office needs
• Pre-need funeral contracts
• Funeral service contracts
• Permits: business license, death certificate filing permit, embalming license, etc.

5. Management & Organization of Your Funeral Home Business.

The second part of your funeral home business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your funeral home business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Funeral Home Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a funeral home business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a funeral home business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your funeral home business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your funeral home business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your funeral home business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Home Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a funeral home business.

A business plan is an essential document for a funeral home business because it outlines the goals of the business, how those goals will be achieved, and how they will be funded. The plan also includes important information such as market analysis and marketing strategies, strategies for managing finances and resources, risk management plans, and strategies for dealing with competition. Having a comprehensive business plan in place provides clarity for both the owners and potential investors, enabling them to make informed decisions about their investments.

Who should you ask for help with your funeral home business plan?

It is recommended to consult with a professional financial advisor or accountant well-versed in the funeral home industry who can help you create a comprehensive business plan specific to your needs. Additionally, local small business specialists, advisors, and mentors may be able to provide valuable guidance.

Can you write a funeral home business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a funeral home business plan. A funeral home business plan should include detailed sections about the business' goals, financial projections, service offerings, marketing strategy, operating procedures and personnel plans. It is also important to include research into the local market conditions and competitive landscape, which will inform key elements of the plan. Taking the time to complete each section accurately and thoroughly can help ensure success for your funeral home business.

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Funeral Home Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Funeral Home Business Plan Template

If you want to start a traditional funeral home or expand your current funeral home business, you need a well-crafted business plan.

The following funeral home business plan gives you the key elements for writing your own comprehensive business plan.

You can download our business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Sample Funeral Home Business Plan

I. executive summary, business overview.

[Company Name] is a full-service funeral home based in [location], offering funeral, cremation, and burial services to people of all faiths.

[Company Name] offers a full range of funeral services, including:

• Cremation services
• Funeral arrangements
• Memorial services
• Body preparation and interment
• Transportation
• Selling funeral merchandise (e.g., caskets, flowers, and memorial stationery)

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will serve the community of [location], offering both pre-need and current need clients. The demographics of the target customer profile is as follows:

• 52,313 residents
• Average income of $65,000
• Median age: 38 years

Management Team

[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name] who has worked as a mortician since his graduation from university. He has worked in increasingly responsible roles with some of the largest traditional funeral homes in the state. As a result, [Founder] has an in-depth knowledge of both morgue operation, as well as client-facing service, bringing a working knowledge of both the technical (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business management side (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) of funeral homes.

Success Factors

[Company Name] is qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• The company will fill a market need in the diverse community we serve. The market need we aim to meet is offering funeral services at a range of price points. The company has surveyed the local population and received highly positive feedback, with residents expressing high interest in having more options for personalized services.
• The Company is centrally located, with an elegant and functional facility, and park-like grounds.
• [Founder’s Name] has lived in [company location] all his life and has raised his family in the same community as the target market. He has many connections with the locals.
• The management team has a track record of success in the funeral home business.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is currently seeking $240,000 to start the company. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Facility design/buildout: $150,000
• Working capital: $90,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, equipment and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

II. Company Overview

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name], located at [insert location here], is a new, independent funeral home focusing on providing high-quality services to its clients.

[Company Name] is a family-owned and operated business that specializes in providing professional and compassionate services for clients of all financial means. While our founder, [Founder’s Name], has worked as a funeral director for some time, it was in [month, year] that he decided to launch [Company Name]. Specifically, during this time, [Founder] himself suffered the loss of his Father-in-Law, who lived in another state. The funeral home used for his Father-in-Law’s final celebration offered ingenious ways for bereaved families to honor their deceased, no matter their financial situation. After this dignified and comforting experience, and discussing the business at length with the owner, [Founder’s Name] clearly understood that a similar business would enjoy significant success in his hometown.

Specifically, the customer demographics were so similar to her hometown that he knew it would work. Furthermore, after surveying local residents, this theory was proven.

[Company Name]’s History

Upon returning from his Father-in-Law’s funeral, surveying the local customer base, and finding an ideal property, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [date of incorporation].

Once the property and license has been acquired, and the facility construction is complete, all operations will be run from the property.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Created the list of services to be offered
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Began recruiting key employees with experience in the funeral home industry

[Company Name]’s Products

[Company Name] will be able to provide customers with high-quality services, which includes:

III. Industry Analysis

[Company Name] directly or indirectly competes with other funeral homes. There are nearly 29,000 funeral homes in the United States. According to a report by the National Funeral Directors Association, the overall funeral service industry is extremely fragmented. It reports the majority of funeral home operators are small, locally owned, independent operations serving customers that live within 10.0 to 15.0 miles of the property’s location.. The total funeral homes market is estimated to grow to over $16 billion in the next five years. This growth bodes well for [Company Name]; since there are few elegantly affordable options in [location], and a local start-up can expect to have the advantage in the local market. There is plenty of room in the industry, provided the funeral home maintains a good reputation, and ensures effective cost controls.

Demand for the funeral industry has been steady because industry services are nondiscretionary. Despite trends toward lower-cost cremations, this industry remains the default option for end of life preferences.

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name] will serve the local community of [company location] and its surrounding areas. It will offer its services to the family members of the deceased. It is safe to say that the target market for funeral home services cuts across people of all classes, races, religions, and cultures.

Customer Segmentation

The Company will primarily target the following customer segments:

• Individuals aged 45 to 64 – This cohort accounts for approximately 20% of revenue for the industry. The mortality rate begins to rise significantly at this age, with cancer and heart disease the leading causes of death.
• Individuals aged 65 to 84 – This is by far the largest customer segment, due to the fact that the average life expectancy in the US of 78.6 years old.
• Individuals aged 85 and older – This segment accounts for over 31% of industry revenue.

V. Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors, ridge funeral home.

Ridge Funeral Home was established in 1963 to provide a first class African American funeral operation. From the beginning, first class facilities and professional service have been cornerstone philosophies of this business. Since the establishment of the Funeral Home, the company has been committed to innovations such as maintaining a Metropolitan Flower Car as part of its rolling stock, and introducing the first six-door limousine to the area. This second-generation family-owned and -operated business works to provide unique, meaningful, and fully affordable services from its three locations.

Brighton Funeral Home

Brighton Funeral Home is a family-owned and -operated funeral home offering a variety of different funeral, cremation, and burial services. The company serves people of all faiths, and offers services to fit all financial abilities. Brighton Funeral Home is a much smaller funeral home compared to the other homes in the area.

Perkins & Sons

Perkins & Sons is a family-owned and -operated funeral home providing a range of personalized funeral services for families in the area. It offers small and large chapels that provide privacy in comfortable surroundings. Further, the staff’s attention to detail ensures the best traditional or contemporary funeral services, all at a fair price.

Competitive Advantage

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

• Management: The Company’s management team has xx years of business and marketing experience that allows them to market and serve customers in an improved and sophisticated manner than the competitors.
• Relationships: Having lived in the community for xx years, [Founder’s Name] knows all of the local leaders, media, and other influencers. As such, it will be relatively easy for [Company Name] to build brand awareness and an initial customer base.
• Quality products at affordable pricing: The Company will provide quality services at affordable pricing, as it has high-quality equipment and uses the latest techniques.
• Location: [Company Name] will be able to service the entire metropolitan area of [company location] and its surrounding areas.

VI. Marketing Plan

The [company name] brand.

[Company name] seeks to position itself as a responsive, compassionate competitor in the funeral home business. Customers can expect high-quality services in elegant surroundings with affordable prices.

The [Company Name] brand will focus on the Company’s unique value proposition:

• Providing dignified and professional services with compassion
• Good quality products (casket, flowers etc.)
• Quality services at affordable pricing

Promotions Strategy

[Company Name] expects its target market to be the family members of the deceased. The Company’s targeted marketing campaigns include:

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. The Company will advertise its company offerings in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the most cost-effective and practical marketing methods for improving brand visibility. The Company will use social media to disseminate announcements and to provide an outlet for expressions of sympathy for the bereaved.

Yellow Page Marketing

The Company shall announce details about its presence and services in the yellow pages and other local directories to keep readers informed about the company’s various products.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name]’s pricing will be moderate, so customers feel they receive great value when engaging the services it offers. The customer can expect to receive exceptional services at a far more affordable price than what they pay at the typical funeral home.

VII. Operations Plan

Functional roles.

To execute on [Company Name]’s business model, the company needs to perform several functions, including the following:

Service and Administrative Functions

• Sales Executive
• Family Liaison
• General & administrative functions including legal, marketing, bookkeeping, etc.

VIII. Management Team

Management team members.

[Company Name]’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, [Founder’s Name]. [Founder’s Name] has worked as a mortician since his graduation from university. He has worked in increasingly responsible roles with some of the largest funeral homes in the state. As a result, [Founder] has an in-depth knowledge of both morgue operation, as well as client-facing service, bringing a working knowledge of both the technical (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business management side (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) of funeral homes.

Hiring Plan

[Founder] will serve as the CEO. To launch the funeral home, the company will need to hire the following personnel:

• Funeral Director
• Administrative Manager

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue and cost drivers.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come from the funeral products and services offered to the customers. The major costs for the company will be the cost of the equipment. The staff will earn competitive salaries allowing [Company Name] to hire experienced workers. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spend will be high, as it establishes itself in the market. Moreover, rent for the prime location is also one of the notable cost drivers for the [Company Name].

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

[Company Name] is currently seeking $240,000 to launch its company. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses, and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

Financial Statements

5 year annual income statement.

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

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Financial Control: Mastering Funeral Services Business Plan

Financial control is crucial for mastering a funeral services business plan. It ensures prudent financial management and profitability for such a sensitive enterprise.

Crafting an effective business plan for a funeral services business requires a strategic approach to financial control. This encompasses budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management to ensure the business’s sustainability and growth. Prospective investors and loan officers often use this plan as a blueprint for assessing the viability of the enterprise.

A funeral home must navigate unique industry challenges, including regulatory compliance, service pricing, and customer relations, all while maintaining empathy and professionalism. A well-structured financial section in the business plan demonstrates a commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency, which are fundamental to the long-term success in this niche market. Understanding local market demands and having a robust plan enables the business to provide essential services in a manner that is both respectful to the departed and financially sound for the company.

The Importance Of Financial Control In Funeral Services

Financial control is the backbone of any successful business, and the funeral services sector is no exception. Managing expenses, revenue, and profits allows funeral directors to offer compassionate care while maintaining a viable business model. Funeral services operate in a unique market, where sensitivity and respect for the grieving process must be interwoven with sound financial strategies.

Balancing Emotion And Commerce

Entrepreneurs in the funeral industry face a delicate task: combining empathy with economics. Financial control is key to balancing these elements. Funeral directors must ensure that their pricing structures respect both the emotional weight of their services and the need for commercial viability.

• Transparent pricing prevents hidden costs, aiding families during tough times.
• Cost control on necessities like caskets, keeps business operations efficient.
• Revenue tracking helps in planning services that honor the deceased without imposing undue financial strain on those left behind.

Sustaining Business In A Sensitive Industry

In providing funeral services, tactful financial control can ensure sustainability. Adapting to market changes while honoring the emotional aspects of the job requires strategic planning.

A robust financial plan gives a funeral home the ability to adapt to customer needs while retaining operational integrity. The right strategy leads to a respectful, dignified service that also secures the longevity of the business.

Starting Right: Crafting Your Business Plan

Starting Right: Crafting Your Business Plan is the first critical step in launching a robust and sustainable funeral services enterprise. A well-crafted plan acts as a roadmap, leading the way through the complexities of the business landscape. It also provides stability and structure, laying the groundwork for a successful venture.

Key Components Of A Funeral Service Business Plan

Essential to any funeral service business plan are the key components that outline your strategy and objectives. These elements give your business clarity and direction from the outset. A solid plan typically includes:

• Executive Summary : A brief, powerful introduction to your business.
• Company Description : This highlights the mission, operations, and unique value proposition.
• Services : An extensive list of services offered.
• Management Structure : Outlines your team’s experience and their roles.
• Marketing Plan : Strategies to attract and retain customers.
• Operational Plan : Day-to-day workflow and facilities required.
• Financial Plan : Projected cash flow, profit and loss, and other financial projections .

Market Research And Competitive Analysis

Deep diving into market research and competitive analysis provides a clear picture of the industry landscape. Relevant market research will identify your target customer base and their needs. Understanding the competition helps you to carve out a niche and differentiate your offerings. Key aspects of this section should include:

• Industry Overview : Size, trends, and growth potential of the funeral service industry.
• Target Market : Characteristics and demographics of your potential customers.
• Competitive Analysis : Strengths and weaknesses of competitors and how you will excel.
• SWOT Analysis : Your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Revenue Streams In Funeral Services

Understanding revenue streams is vital for running a successful funeral services business. It’s about much more than just selling traditional funeral packages. By mastering the art of diversifying offerings, businesses can meet the changing needs of clients while boosting profitability. Analyzing and enhancing revenue streams contribute to long-term success and stability in this sensitive industry.

Traditional Vs. Non-traditional Services

The core of any funeral service business lies in its traditional offerings. These typically include the sale of caskets, burials, and standard memorial services. Yet, modern customers often seek personalized experiences. Non-traditional services like eco-friendly options, life celebrations, and online memorials are gaining traction.

• Casket sales
• Burial plots
• Funeral ceremonies
• Green funerals
• Celebration of life events
• Digital memorialization

Expanding Your Offerings

To expand your offerings is to create new avenues for income. For instance, personalized touch services like custom memorial products can attract a broader client base. Consider holistic grief counseling or aftercare programs that can act as additional support services. These not only serve clients better but also bring in new revenue opportunities.

Mastering the financial controls of a funeral services business starts with knowing your revenue streams. Both traditional and non-traditional services play a role. Adapt and innovate to meet the transforming expectations of clients. This balance can be the key to a resilient and prosperous future.

Cost Management And Pricing Strategies

Mastering the business of funeral services requires smart financial control. The key lies in effective Cost Management and Pricing Strategies . Get these two elements right, and you pave the way for a sustainable and profitable venture.

Keeping Costs Under Control

Running a funeral service business entails significant expenses, from facilities to services. However, keeping these costs in check ensures a healthy bottom line.

• Bulk Purchase : Buy supplies in large quantities for discounts.
• Energy Efficiency : Invest in eco-friendly options to reduce utility bills.
• Outsource Wisely : Partner with third-parties for non-core services.

Regular audits prevent unnecessary spends. Training staff on cost-saving practices also helps.

Setting Price Points Wisely

Prices affect client choices and your profit. Careful pricing is essential.

• Understand the market demand .
• Compare with competitors’ prices .
• Fulfill different client needs with varied packages .

Adjust prices as costs or market conditions change. Yet, ensure clients perceive value for what they pay.

Fair pricing wins loyalty . Loyalty leads to steady business growth .

Financial Forecasting For Long-term Success

Financial forecasting is a compass for your funeral services business. It helps steer your company towards financial stability and success. A well-laid financial plan predicts future revenues, costs, and profit. This aligns goals with reality, avoiding cash crunches.

Projecting Cash Flow And Profits

Understanding the lifeblood of your business – cash flow – is key. Effective projections keep your business alive and kicking. Estimate when the money will come in and when it goes out. This way, you can pay bills on time and keep the business running smoothly. Look into past trends and seasonal shifts in the funeral services sector to make smart predictions.

Here’s a simple guide to projecting your cash flow and profits:

• Gather historical data: Use past financial statements .
• Consider seasonal trends: Expect variations in different months.
• Include one-time events: Account for unique or unexpected costs.
• Analyze receivables: Know when you’ll actually get paid, not just when you make a sale.
• Keep expenses in line: Watch out for any unnecessary spending leakage.

Planning For Future Growth

Your business shouldn’t just survive; it should thrive. By planning, you’re preparing to expand. Lay out how you aim to increase your market share. Ensure you have the funds to invest in new opportunities. Start by setting clear, measurable objectives.

Follow these steps to plan for growth:

• Set growth targets: Decide on achievable revenue goals.
• Reinvest profits: Put earnings back into your business wisely.
• Adjust as needed: Keep your plans flexible for sudden market changes.
• Maintain a growth fund: Allocate funds specifically for expansion activities.

Analyze new technologies, staff training, and marketing strategies. These can empower your funeral services business for future challenges and successes.

Navigating Legal And Regulatory Requirements

Navigating the maze of legal and regulatory requirements is essential for a funeral services business. A solid understanding can help ensure a business operates without hiccups. To master the financial control within a funeral services business plan, staying informed and compliant with industry standards, as well as managing financial reporting and taxes, is crucial.

Staying Compliant With Industry Standards

Familiarity with industry standards is crucial to avoid legal pitfalls. These standards include:

• Licensing requirements for funeral directors and embalmers
• Adherence to the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule
• Local health and safety regulations impacting funeral services and facilities

Use state and national funeral directors associations as resources for staying updated. They provide workshops and training sessions . Checking these regularly helps a business remain within legal boundaries.

Financial Reporting And Taxes

Accurate financial reporting and understanding of relevant taxes are pillars of financial control. Key elements include:

Consider hiring a certified public accountant. They provide expertise in financial matters. They aid in navigating the complexities of tax laws that surround the funeral services industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the most money in the funeral business.

Casket and monument/gravestone makers often make the most money in the funeral business. Funeral home owners and directors can also see significant profits.

How Profitable Is The Funeral Business?

The funeral business can be highly profitable, with significant markups on services and merchandise. Steady demand contributes to its consistent revenue potential.

What Are Good Practices To Manage The Funeral Home’s Finances?

To manage a funeral home’s finances effectively, implement precise budgeting, maintain accurate bookkeeping, track all expenses diligently, analyze costs regularly, and explore cost-saving measures. Develop a strategic financial plan and consistently review your financial policies to ensure adaptability and sustainability.

Is The Funeral Business Recession Proof?

The funeral business is generally considered recession-proof due to the constant demand for burial and funeral services, regardless of economic conditions.

Navigating the complexities of a funeral services business plan demands thorough financial control. Mastering this allows for sustainable growth and stability in a sensitive industry. Implement best practices, focus on meticulous planning, and secure your business’s future. Achieve financial mastery to ensure your services honor lives with respect and dignity.

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