It is customary, I think, to make year end predictions. Here are mine broken down into two categories: Bad and Good. I would be interested in yours.
Personally, I am optimistic about the coming year. I think the wind is changing and, for those that are willing, it just might be at our back for a change. But my optimism is guarded. I honestly don’t see many within the profession making the adaptations necessary.
I think that’s too bad. Disappointment is always a bad way to end a career.
Bad
1. Most of deathCare will continue its long, slow inexorable decline
2. Some bold practitioners, thinking themselves the messiah, will attempt to convince the profession they have found the answer by appealing to the bottom of the market
3. Practitioners will continue to fight among themselves over petty issues and ignore the important (business saving) ones
4. Taxes will go up as will overhead
5. Despite price increases most practitioners will experience revenue decline
Good
1. A few souls will begin the process of true (as opposed to cosmetic) breakout reinvention
2. A few “Islands of Excellence” will break their casket and facility addiction and experience revelation regarding our true value to society
3. A few brave practitioners, strangled by outdated licensing laws, will win their “year’s long” challenge opening the hope of freedom for the rest of us.
4. A few will see economic growth and a stabilizing future
5. A few will see new hope and enthusiasm and meaning for their career
Let’s hear your predictions in the comments section
Alan,
Thanks for all your great information, articles, and hard work in 2012. I have become an Alan Addict:)
After working for 4 years on a new concept, (Indigo Fields Nature Park) my team is ready to execute. We know it wont be perfect, we know their will be challanges, and we know we will be a target for some.
In your 2013 predictions, we are in your GOOD category of predictions, and see ourselves being numbers 1, 4 and 5.
One of my prediction for 2013, Indigo Fields Nature Park will make a wonderful difference in peoples lives.
I cannot wait for 2013 to get start.
Terry Ward
Houston, Texas
tward100@aol.com
terry, thanks. tell others. this site is growing about 1 a day. help me make it two a day.
A no-brainer for 2013, Funeral service will thrive!!
Big changes are on the horizon, coming like a freight train, you should be laying track right now.
Our families are engaged with hands-on celebrations of life. Technology will help you get there. Invest!! $$
I agree on the bad predictions. I hope to help in some way improve #3 and pull some of my colleagues together to work on the big picture.
I can identify with the good predictions and am interested to see Mr. Ward’s Indigo Fields Nature Park.
My most concerning prediction is that a funeral service will not see the light even during 2013 to develop a unified voice that educates the public on the value of ceremony and relevance of the funeral director/practitioner.