Anyone here work in the funeral business?

[NobleLord]

Reading the 'what to invest in' thread it got me thinking. Of all the industries that will always have a market, funeral directors have to be up there.

Does anyone here work in the industry? Is it still profitable and, if so, are there any investment opportunities we can all club together and make a few quid on in these tough times?

I'm now wondering whether there's room for a new player who somehow 'improves' the overall service and makes it more efficient and competitive. I know it may sound morbid, but it's a business after all

NL

[gti-ted]

Steer clear
I hear it's a dying trade

[Legend83]

gti-ted said:

Steer clear
I hear it's a dying trade

That joke killed me.

[mitzy]

Hearse today, gone tomorrow.

[gti-ted]

Are you dying to get into it

Edited by gti-ted on Thursday 6th November 14:16

[Simpo Two]

People will always be dying, but the relos will be saying '£4,000? The other lot is quoting £3,000'.

[Cara Van Man]

NobleLord said:

Reading the 'what to invest in' thread it got me thinking. Of all the industries that will always have a market, funeral directors have to be up there.

Does anyone here work in the industry? Is it still profitable and, if so, are there any investment opportunities we can all club together and make a few quid on in these tough times?

I'm now wondering whether there's room for a new player who somehow 'improves' the overall service and makes it more efficient and competitive. I know it may sound morbid, but it's a business after all

NL

It's a good idea if you can get a property in the dead centre of town.

[markmullen]

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

[NobleLord]

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

Do you think there's room to fundamentally change the way the business is run and make it more efficient and profitable? I've only had dealings with funeral directors once and it was a slow and tedious experience to say the least!

I see.... Virgin Funerals Bright red coffins and much nicer cars. Or how about... Easy Funerals? A big smiling picture of Stelios in the window.

NL

[cottonfoo]

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

Depends, independents can (and generally do) offer a more personalised service.

I spent a year working for one after leaving school, carrying coffins and driving hearses and limos

[ChristianZS]

I assume that if the family has no money to bury them, The bodies just sit in the fridge till they do?

[MrV]

ChristianZS said:

I assume that if the family has no money to bury them, The bodies just sit in the fridge till they do?

Paupers grave

[cottonfoo]

ChristianZS said:

I assume that if the family has no money to bury them, The bodies just sit in the fridge till they do?

Local authority/social services will pay for a no-frills service.

[anonymous-user]

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

You're dead right

[markmullen]

cottonfoo said:

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

Depends, independents can (and generally do) offer a more personalised service.

Absolutely, I was just pointing out that if joining the industry there is a lot of competition.

cottonfoo said:

I spent a year working for one after leaving school, carrying coffins and driving hearses and limos

Which is what I did on my days off if my funeral director friend was short staffed. Fun isn't it?

[ChristianZS]

markmullen said:

cottonfoo said:

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

Depends, independents can (and generally do) offer a more personalised service.

Absolutely, I was just pointing out that if joining the industry there is a lot of competition.

cottonfoo said:

I spent a year working for one after leaving school, carrying coffins and driving hearses and limos

Which is what I did on my days off if my funeral director friend was short staffed. Fun isn't it?

You could bury one in that Masser you were looking at.

[plasticpig]

NobleLord said:

markmullen said:

I have done, and know a few people in the business.

The problem you have in entering the business is that a few big players have a large part of the market, Co-operative Funerals etc, who will be hard to compete with when it comes to marketing spend etc.

Do you think there's room to fundamentally change the way the business is run and make it more efficient and profitable? I've only had dealings with funeral directors once and it was a slow and tedious experience to say the least!

I see.... Virgin Funerals Bright red coffins and much nicer cars. Or how about... Easy Funerals? A big smiling picture of Stelios in the window.

NL

I imagine there are quite a few USP's in the funeral business. You could do themed funerals: New Orleans Jazz funeral, Body bag funeral, IRA Funeral, Medieval plague funeral etc.

Edited by plasticpig on Thursday 6th November 14:40

[cottonfoo]

markmullen said:

Which is what I did on my days off if my funeral director friend was short staffed. Fun isn't it?

Yep, probably the most fun I've ever had in a job