Page A23 November 2022 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A How important is it to have an exit strategy? Your lifecycle depends on it. When it’s time to exit your business lifecycle, how will your legacy be preserved? And how will you ensure that you get top dollar for everything you’ve worked for? As your industry experts in succession planning, JCG has all the answers. 480-556-8500 | info@johnsonconsulting.com Business Lifecycle Buying Exit Growth Valuation Exit sold he knew that ownership was what he wanted for his future. That’s when he found Titus Funeral Home. He purchased the firm in a slow buyout. When the original owner passed away, he offered to keep everyone on staff. Cory knew the acquisition of Owen Funeral Homes made good sense. He knew Richard Owen. “I knew he cared for families the way we did,” Cory says. Additionally, the locations of their funeral homes were in neighboring communities to Titus Funeral Home. Richard is still involved in the funeral homes, acting as staff director and managing both the Syracuse and the North Webster locations. He has cut back his hours to allow him more free time, but he is not yet ready to retire. A funeral director for 37 years, Richard says “I’m still doing what I love to do, taking care of families and I don’t plan to stop in the near future.” Not only have Cory and Richard been working together Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw Owens Family Funeral Home, Syracuse Owens Family Funeral Home, North Webster Continued from Front Page Titus Funeral Home Acquires Owen Family Funeral Home as small business owners for the last few years, they also both worked at DeMoneyGrimes at different times. “We service families in similar ways,” says Cory. “We serve from the heart.” “I think we make an excellent team,” Richard said. “I chose Cory because we’re like-minded. He’s going to take care of families. He’s local. He’s not a big corporate investor.” Just like when Cory took over at Titus, he has told the Owen Family Funeral Homes staff that they can stay on in their current positions. Some are cutting their hours back, while others are increasing them, but all of the staff members are staying on. The biggest change to the acquisition is the crematory. “I think the crematory is important,” Cory states. The crematory was installed in 2015 and is the only crematory in a 30-mile radius Both men are certified crematory operators. “It’s the only one in Kosciusko County,” says Cory. “We don’t cremate for other funeral homes. Just for us. So, a loved one ever leaves our care.” Since acquiring the crematory, Cory says he has noticed an uptick in people who are coming to Titus, and he believes it’s for that exact reason. The main location in Warsaw is the most unique building. At 13,000 square feet it was built as a funeral home in the late 70’s. When Cory took over operations in 2017, he made renovations to the space including a dining area, community room for repast, and two large chapels that can work independently of each other. North Webster is the smallest of the three locations. “Built in 2011, it sits on the main thoroughfare in a rural farming area and there are several small communities that feed into that area,” says Cory. Built in 2006, the Syracuse location is about 20 minutes north of Warsaw and is slightly larger than the North Webster funeral home. The crematory, located in Leesburg, was converted from a furniture store. “It comes full circle,” says Cory, “as a lot of funeral directors started out as furniture and casket makers!” Cory states that when he purchased Titus, they were serving around 125 families per year. With the latest expansion he finish the year with around 500-515 calls. What makes Titus Funeral Homes different? “We have seen great success by partnering with Life Celebrations out of Philadelphia,” says Cory. They offer custom printing and merchandising of literally everything. “We can now offer highly customized items that are centered around the deceased,” says Cory. “It’s not just an eagle flying around mountains or the head of Christ anymore.” Backdrops, puzzles, gift books, prayer cards, place mats, and so much more are available and are focused around what the deceased liked and how they lived. “They are unique and bring color and light in times of darkness,” says Cory. “We constantly get compliments,” he says. “People say, ‘We’ve never been to a funeral like this before.’” Cory points out that a lot of funeral directors appear to be stuck in a rut, using the same process they’ve always used, without paying attention to what people are looking for. “That’s why cremation is going up,” he says. Companies in different industries around the world are advancing and making changes to stay with the times, but too often, funeral homes still operate the same way they always did. “There are a lot of good traditions. But there’s got to be some change with the times,” says Cory. “A huge part of our success has been our ability to change,” says Cory. “People are looking for something that represents their loved one and not just a cookie cutter situation.” For more information, visit TitusFuneralHome.com.
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