Funeral homes across America are undergoing a transformation, shifting their practices to meet evolving consumer preferences amidst rising costs. Among the pioneers in this movement is Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa, where director Lanae Strovers has crafted personalized memorial experiences that reflect the individuality of the deceased.
Innovative Funeral Homes Adapt to Changing Consumer Demands
Innovative Funeral Homes Adapt to Changing Consumer Demands
As cremation rates surge, funeral homes embrace creative strategies to sustain their business models.
In one remarkable case, when a young hunter passed away, Strovers took inspiration from the family's desire for a final adventure, enlisting a gunsmith to incorporate the hunter's ashes into shotgun shells for a commemorative hunt. Such innovative approaches have become quite common as funeral homes seek to cater to the growing number of families who prefer cremation services.
Strovers has created unique tributes for various individuals, from transforming her funeral home into a baseball field for a beloved Little League coach—complete with popcorn machines and hot dogs—to hosting a festive circus-themed memorial for a child who died too young. For a former model and designer, she staged a cocktail hour with a fashion runway.
The national cremation rate has risen dramatically over recent decades, leading to lower profits for traditional funeral services. With increasing expenses for gasoline, embalming fluids, and staffing, funeral directors are embracing inventive strategies to stay afloat in a shifting economy.
Lanae Strovers, also a spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association, emphasizes the need to adapt. “I don’t want to say that we’re going to become party planners,” she noted, “but those two lines are crossing over, and we need to open our thought process and be there to help the families.”
As funeral homes redefine their roles, they continue to ensure that the legacies of the deceased are honored in ways that reflect their unique lives and passions.
Strovers has created unique tributes for various individuals, from transforming her funeral home into a baseball field for a beloved Little League coach—complete with popcorn machines and hot dogs—to hosting a festive circus-themed memorial for a child who died too young. For a former model and designer, she staged a cocktail hour with a fashion runway.
The national cremation rate has risen dramatically over recent decades, leading to lower profits for traditional funeral services. With increasing expenses for gasoline, embalming fluids, and staffing, funeral directors are embracing inventive strategies to stay afloat in a shifting economy.
Lanae Strovers, also a spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association, emphasizes the need to adapt. “I don’t want to say that we’re going to become party planners,” she noted, “but those two lines are crossing over, and we need to open our thought process and be there to help the families.”
As funeral homes redefine their roles, they continue to ensure that the legacies of the deceased are honored in ways that reflect their unique lives and passions.
