Mors 200 Arts Final - Klicker Chapter 22

Economy

Social Trends

Demographics

Government Regulations

Will continue to increase at a slightly slower pace than over the past 200 years

There are 13 million Americans over age 65 and by 2050 the number will increase to over 80 million

Seniors over 85 are the fastest growing segment of the “over 65” population.

Increasing rapidly

The increase is minority citizens and immigrants from other countries (including illegal immigrants)

The sunbelt states will continue to see the largest increase.

The average age for first marriages has risen: 27 for men and 25 for women

Presently an average of 2 children per family-this will slowly decrease.

The number of people living together as a family household will increase but the number of married couple households will decrease.

The number of people living alone will increase

The number of 2 parent families will decrease

50% of first marriages fail-will stay the same

More families will continue to move- major move every 3-5 years

This is a combination of brothers and sisters, stepbrothers and stepsisters, and natural parents and stepparents. Children have one or more stepparents along with natural parents.

The bringing together of interracial, intercultural, and inter-religious unions will increase in the years ahead.

Those in which single people, siblings, friends, or lovers choose to live together. This change came about because of the increase in single people and will continue to grow.

Attendance at organized religious ceremonies is declining.-Increase of people who describe themselves as “spiritual”

The number of non-religious funeral will increase.

There will continue to be an increase in cremation and direct dispositions

Decrease in the use of caskets and vaults and an increase in urns and cremation containers

-This will continue to increase especially in areas of PN, crematory operations, organ and tissue donation, EPA, and ADA.

Will continue to increase in all areas

The internet has had a major contribution

-Although computerization is still in its infancy, small computers can handle a staggering amount of complex functions.

The last decade’s downward trend in the number of funeral homes will continue as small operators sell or close due to economics.

Competitors would most likely buy businesses because large corporations are not interested in purchasing small firms.

New owners are merging more and absorbing their business to take advantage of economics of scale.

New funeral homes are being built to conserve energy. In areas where there is less and smaller visitation, the structures are smaller, with smaller visitation rooms, small casket display rooms, and the addition of rooms that can be used for catering and receptions.

More women are entering this field and be hired. There are also older second careerists entering funeral service and funeral homes are improving compensation packages to improve retention. The total number of people entering the profession is decreasing which is driving these changes.

Less limousines are being used and more alternative vehicles are being purchased instead of hearses.

More funeral homes are requiring people to pay for the funeral at the time of the arrangements.

Less funeral directors are waiting for payment until estates are settled.

The use of credit cards is increasing

More funeral homes are increasing the charges for services and decreasing costs of caskets

This will continue to increase

Guaranteeing the cost of funerals will decrease (Inflation is rising faster and funeral homes are losing money)

Funeral homes will become more conscience about how their advertising dollars are being spent.

They will spend less on traditional advertising options(calendars, church bulletins, and give aways)

Entry level education requirements will remain constant-Increasing the requirement to a Bachelor of Science degree is being researched.

-Continuing education is required in more than 34 states

This trend is growing, but at a slow pace

Aftercare programs will increase

More funeral homes will add space and products to make their funeral home more of a resource center.

How people dispose of their dead will continue to change.

Funeral ceremonies have been downsizing for many years and it will continue

More personalized funerals is increasing

Casket stores, large retailers selling caskets and Internet sales of caskets is steady right now.

Present casket stores owned by funeral homes will slowly decrease.

There will be an increase in cemeteries selling funeral merchandise.

Funeral homes will build crematories as cremation increases.

People born after WWII

The best-educated, most affluent, and healthiest generation in history and will work longer than their ancestors.

Children of the 1960’s

They will be called on more to care for their elderly parents and relatives.

“Sandwich generation” meaning they have careers while taking care of both their parents and children.

have casket aversion

are uncomfortable in the casket selection room

have not attended many funerals-are not familiar with making arrangements

do not have church ties as strong as their parents

do not have strong ties to funeral homes

like to think in terms of celebration of life

They will not opt for low cost alternatives for themselves or loved ones

-They will challenge the value of our practices and standardization

Market differently than the standard newspapers, radio, bulletins, etc.

Consumer Fairs

Open Houses

Seminars

Direct Mail

Exhibits

Cable TV Programs

TV ads