Winning Local Search: A Practical Guide for Funeral Homes
If you run a funeral home, one of the most important questions you should be asking is simple: When a family in my community experiences a death and searches online for a funeral home, do they find us?
Today, the journey to selecting a funeral provider often begins with a search engine. A son who lost his father types “funeral home near me” into Google. A daughter living in another state finds herself trying to find a reputable funeral home in her mom’s hometown. Or, someone who just lost a loved one in the middle of the night asks a question like, “What funeral homes are open right now?”
In those moments, the funeral homes that appear in local search results — especially in Google’s map listings — hold a powerful advantage.
To help more funeral homes gain such an advantage, Welton Hong, the founder and CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, recently wrote an article for FuneralVision.com filled with best practices for being seen online.
Meadow Raises $9M to Expand Software-Driven Funeral Planning Model
Meadow Memorials, a New York-based funeral services startup, has raised $9 million in Series A financing as it expands a technology-enabled model designed to simplify funeral planning and reduce costs, Crunchbase News reported.
The funding round was led by Lachy Groom and Haystack, following a $2 million seed raise in 2024. Initial capital for Meadow, as well as the founders’ separate venture Moxie, was provided through Boulton & Watt, a permanent capital vehicle established by co-founders Sam Gerstenzang and Emma Gilsanz.
Founded in January 2024, Meadow positions itself as an alternative to the traditional funeral home by operating without fixed retail locations and instead relying on software and a network of third-party venues. The company allows families to arrange services online or by phone and coordinates events at locations such as chapels and repurposed event spaces.
The model is designed to reduce overhead and streamline administrative processes, enabling lower pricing relative to conventional funeral providers. According to data from the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a funeral with burial and viewing was $8,300 in 2023, while cremation services averaged $6,280. Meadow indicates that its services can be offered at significantly lower price points, with some arrangements priced near $1,300.
Gerstenzang, a former product leader at Stripe, and Gilsanz have previously focused on building businesses in regulated industries that have experienced limited technological innovation. In 2022, the pair co-founded Moxie, a platform supporting nurses in launching medical aesthetics practices.
Geographically, the company has established a significant presence in California and has recently expanded into Texas and Washington. Additional market entries, including Arizona and several other states, are planned for later this year.
Milwaukee County Seeks Legal Action Over Unpaid Funeral Home Fees
Officials with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office report that funeral homes collectively owed more than $2 million in unpaid fees at the close of 2025, prompting the county to consider legal action against businesses with significant outstanding balances, WISN ABC reported.
The Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel has requested authorization from the county board to pursue legal remedies against funeral homes with debts exceeding $25,000. The request received initial approval from a county board committee and is expected to advance to the full board for consideration.
According to county data, 18 funeral homes each owed more than $25,000 as of early March, with seven of those balances exceeding $100,000. Officials indicated that while not all accounts are currently delinquent, a subset — estimated between seven and 10 providers — are behind on payments.
The medical examiner’s office collects fees from funeral homes for services such as transportation of remains, issuance of death certificates and cremation permits. Funeral homes typically collect these charges from families and remit them to the county.
Industry representatives note that most funeral homes process and transfer these funds in a timely manner, but officials acknowledge that some providers have failed to keep accounts current. County leaders emphasized that the unpaid revenue is necessary to sustain operations and maintain services relied upon by the public.
One funeral home, Serenity Funeral Home, was identified in county records as having the largest outstanding balance, exceeding $500,000 as of March 5. The business did not respond to requests for comment.
If approved by the full board, the proposed legal action would mark a significant escalation in efforts to recover unpaid fees and enforce compliance among funeral service providers in Milwaukee County.
Cremation Rates Continue to Rise in New Jersey
Cremation is becoming the dominant form of disposition in New Jersey, reflecting a long-term shift driven by cost pressures, changing cultural norms, and evolving consumer preferences, NJ.com reported.
After surpassing traditional burial rates for the first time in 2020 during the pandemic, cremation has continued to gain traction across the state. More than 56% of New Jersey residents were expected to choose cremation in 2025, with projections indicating that figure could approach 80% by 2045, according to data from the National Funeral Directors Association.
Nationally, cremation adoption is even further ahead, having overtaken burial in 2016. Industry observers note that New Jersey’s growth has been comparatively slower, though the overall trajectory aligns with broader U.S. trends.
Funeral professionals cite several factors behind the shift. Rising burial costs remain a primary driver, particularly in a high-cost state where cemetery property adds significant expense. Estimates from the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association indicate that traditional burial services can range widely and may exceed $20,000 when cemetery costs are included, while direct cremation options are typically far less expensive.
Hundreds Attend Funeral for Unclaimed Navy Veteran in Tennessee
More than 200 people gathered recently to honor a U.S. Navy veteran who was laid to rest without known family, following a public call for attendance by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, News Nation reported.
Lonnie D. Wayman, identified as an unclaimed veteran, received full military honors at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. The service drew a large turnout from community members who responded to an outreach effort encouraging the public to ensure the veteran was not buried alone.
Officials with the state veterans agency described the level of attendance as unprecedented based on prior experience with similar services.
Local law enforcement agencies also participated, including the Gallatin Police Department, whose members attended to represent the surrounding community.
Wayman’s case highlights a broader issue involving unclaimed veterans who lack next of kin to arrange final services. In this instance, community response filled that void, with attendees gathering to provide recognition and military honors for his service.
Justin DeFord Acquires Funeral Home in Idaho
A longtime funeral service provider in Idaho County has changed ownership and its name. Justin DeFord has purchased the former Blackmer Funeral Home and rebranded it as DeFord Funeral Home, the Idaho County Free Press reported.
The transition follows a pattern of ownership changes spanning decades, with the business previously operating under several family names before its most recent iteration under the Blackmer family. DeFord acquired the funeral home from Jeff and Sharon Blackmer in October 2025.
A Grangeville, Idaho native, DeFord has longstanding ties to the community and the funeral profession. His interest in funeral service began during his school years and developed through early mentorship and hands-on experience, including an internship with Short’s Funeral Chapel. He later worked for Blackmer Funeral Home throughout high school and continued in the field after graduation.
The funeral home will continue operating as a locally owned business, with no major operational changes planned following the transition. DeFord indicated that maintaining continuity of service and community involvement will remain a priority.
Goes Funeral Care & Crematory in Colorado Joins Newcomer Funeral Service Group
Goes Funeral Care & Crematory in Fort Collins, Colorado has joined Newcomer Funeral Service Group, according to a news release.
Founded by Chris and Stephanie Goes in 1996, Goes serves Fort Collins and Northern Colorado area families with compassionate, professional care.
“We created Goes Funeral Care because we felt there was a need in our community to offer funeral service in a different way,” said Stephanie Goes.
Chris Goes shared that the couple’s dream “was to bring back the old-fashioned principles of funeral care where the funeral director is a trusted friend, and families can say goodbye in a way that reflects their loved one’s life and values. Over the past 30 years, we’ve been blessed to serve this community and build something even better than we imagined. Now, it’s time to pass the torch to a company we trust to carry on our mission.”
As Goes Funeral Care transitions to Newcomer, the Goes family is confident they’ve found the right partner to carry their legacy forward. “Newcomer shares our values and our commitment to affordable, compassionate care,” said Chris Goes. “They’ve been a respected name in funeral service for decades, and we’re excited to see them bring their expertise to Fort Collins while honoring the traditions we’ve built. This transition ensures that our legacy will continue with the support of another family-owned organization.”
Goes joins Newcomer’s group of funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries serving the Front Range of Colorado and Wyoming from locations in Denver, Fort Collins, Cheyenne, and Casper.
John Newcomer said, “The Goes family and their team are held in high esteem by Fort Collins families for their integrity and compassionate guidance, and we are honored to welcome them to Newcomer.”
The funeral home will continue to operate under the same name, with the same great team, and the full support of the Newcomer organization.
Oklahoma Casket Sales Law Challenged as Entrepreneurs File Lawsuit
An Oklahoma couple has filed a legal challenge to the state’s restrictions on casket sales, arguing that current licensing requirements limit competition and increase costs for consumers, the Daily Economy reported.
Candi Mentink and Todd Collard, founders of Caskets of Honor, launched their business in 2017 in Calvin, Oklahoma, offering customized caskets featuring vinyl graphics designed to reflect personal interests, religious themes and other tributes. The company experienced early growth before encountering regulatory barriers unique to the state.
Oklahoma is one of only a small number of states that require individuals to hold a funeral director’s license to sell caskets. Mentink and Collard became aware of the restriction in 2021 after state regulators penalized their business and restricted it from operating.
To continue operating, the company shifted its legal base to Texas and moved to an online sales structure. While this approach allows interstate transactions, Oklahoma law continues to restrict in-state marketing and direct sales, limiting access to local customers.
Efforts to change the law through legislation have been unsuccessful, with multiple reform proposals failing to advance amid opposition from regulatory bodies and industry groups.
In response, Mentink and Collard filed a lawsuit on February 4 with support from the Institute for Justice, challenging the constitutionality of the licensing requirement under state protections for economic liberty.
The legal complaint argues that the current framework restricts market entry by limiting casket sales to licensed funeral directors, effectively preventing independent retailers from competing. The case also raises broader questions about whether such regulations serve a legitimate public interest or function primarily as economic protection for established providers.
Former Colorado Funeral Home Owner Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison
A former Colorado funeral home operator has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for her role in a wide-ranging fraud scheme tied to one of the most disturbing funeral home cases in recent U.S. history, the Sentinel reported.
Carie Hallford, co-owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said she and her former husband, Jon Hallford, collected approximately $130,000 from families for funeral and cremation services that were never carried out as promised. In many cases, families were given urns containing materials such as concrete rather than cremated remains. Authorities also identified instances in which the wrong remains were interred.
The case stems from a 2023 investigation in Penrose, Colorado, where nearly 200 decomposing bodies were discovered inside a building used by the business. The remains had been improperly stored for extended periods, creating hazardous and traumatic conditions for investigators and families.
In addition to defrauding customers, Hallford admitted to misusing nearly $900,000 in federal pandemic relief funds intended for small businesses. Prosecutors said the money was diverted to personal purchases, including luxury goods, vehicles and cryptocurrency, rather than business operations.
Although federal sentencing guidelines suggested a significantly shorter prison term for a defendant without prior criminal history, prosecutors sought a longer sentence, citing the scale of the misconduct and the exploitation of grieving families. The court ultimately imposed an 18-year sentence, just below the statutory maximum.
Victim impact statements described ongoing emotional distress, including trauma, guilt and unresolved grief. Some families reported delays of years before receiving confirmation about the whereabouts of their loved ones through DNA testing. In certain cases, families were forced to restart the memorial process after learning the original arrangements had not been carried out.
Hallford also faces additional sentencing in Colorado state court, where she and her ex-husband previously pleaded guilty to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse. Those proceedings are expected to result in a separate prison term, to be served concurrently with the federal sentence.
Jon Hallford has already been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and 40 years in state court on related charges.
Tukios Introduces AI Music Maker
Tukios, a leader in funeral technology solutions, announced the launch of its new AI Music Maker, an innovative tool designed to help funeral professionals easily create custom music for tribute videos.
The AI Music Maker allows users to generate original songs that function like stock music, meaning they can be reused across multiple videos. This gives funeral homes more flexibility when creating meaningful video tributes while maintaining a consistent and professional sound. Users can also choose the style of music they want to create – whether it’s gospel, punk rock, or something in between – allowing each tribute to reflect the personality and spirit of the life being honored.
The AI Music Maker lets you create original songs that you can use as many times as you like, just like a music library. This gives funeral homes a professional sound while making it easy to personalize every video. You can choose any style of music – from gospel to punk rock – to match the person’s personality. Plus, you can simply type in memories or key points about their life, and the AI will use those ideas to help write the lyrics. This makes sure the music truly tells the story of the person being honored.
Users are encouraged to explore the tool and experiment with creating test songs to see how the music can enhance their video tributes.
The AI Music Maker is part of a broader effort by Tukios to introduce practical AI tools for the funeral profession. As Tukios aims to lead the way for AI in deathcare, this tool represents another step toward making advanced technology both accessible and meaningful for funeral professionals.
Building on the success of the AI Music Maker, Tukios has launched the AI Photo Engine to help funeral directors easily fix photos for tribute videos. Instead of using complex editing software, you can now just type what you want to change. Whether it’s turning a black-and-white photo into color or removing a distracting person from the background, this tool makes it simple to turn imperfect pictures into beautiful memories
Tukios is also bringing the power of AI to the Tukios Custom Theme Builder. Instead of spending time searching for and uploading the perfect background, you can now simply type in an idea like a “peaceful mountain sunset” or a “vintage woodworking shop.” The AI instantly generates a high-quality, personalized image, making it easier than ever to create a truly unique theme for every family.
Together, these AI-powered tools give funeral homes new ways to create thoughtful, polished tributes while saving time during the arrangement process.
The AI Music Maker is currently available in beta at no additional cost.
