Batesville Receives Top Rating in Product Quality, Service and Innovation

Funeral Professionals Award Highest Scores to Batesville in Annual Casket Survey

BATESVILLE, IN., Nov. 11, 2014 – Batesville, the leading provider of comprehensive solutions to the death care industry, has received the industry’s top scores in Product Quality, Service and Innovation in the annual Casket Survey conducted by Funeral Service Insider (FSI), a Kates-Boylston publication. Funeral professionals gave Batesville the highest scores in each category, reinforcing the company’s position as a value-added partner to funeral homes.

This is the second consecutive year Batesville has led in Quality, and another sequential improvement in Service. “We hold ourselves to high standards – from the first step in manufacturing through delivery to a customer – so it’s good to see that our commitment and the efforts of dedicated associates throughout our Supply Chain are making a difference,” said Troy Turner, chief marketing officer for Batesville.

Batesville also dominated all other casket companies in Product Innovation, with 83.1% of respondents naming it as the leader, an increase of nearly 30% over the prior year. The company has a legacy of innovation and continues to invest in new ideas, methods and products based on research with funeral directors and families.

“We’ve been at the top of the leader board numerous times over the past several years, but it’s especially gratifying to be recognized by our customers as number one in each of these important areas,” said Turner.

This year’s survey, which covers a wide range of issues facing today’s funeral professionals, drew responses from 359 people – the highest number of participants in its history. Professionals shared their insights on cremation rates, pricing strategies, selection rooms, personalization offerings, and chimed in on the things that are most important in a supplier relationship.

Turner notes that the things funeral directors value have not changed much over time. “They want easy access to a range of high quality products, at price points that meet the needs of families they serve, with delivery when promised,” he says. “These are the same guideposts Batesville uses to manage our business.”

Funeral Service Insider is a weekly subscription-based publication that covers the latest industry news, market trends and business-building tips and guidance.

ABOUT BATESVILLE

Batesville (www.Batesville.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE:HI), is the leader in the North American death care industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of Burial Solutions, Cremation Options, Memorial Solutions and Technology Solutions. For more than 125 years, Batesville has been dedicated to helping families honor the lives of those they love^®. Batesville’s innovation has changed the face of funeral service, from advancements in manufacturing and quality to patented features and memorialization offerings, technology and web-based solutions, and profit-enhancing merchandising systems. Our history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service, and reliable delivery has helped Batesville become – and remain – a market leader.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Teresa M. Gyulafia

Director – Brand & Marketing Communications

Teresa.Gyulafia@batesville.com

Phone: 812.931.5084