Hammers, Nails, Pews and Hearses

Article By: Alan Creedy, Creedy Commentary 

My discussion of reinvention / transformation has sparked more comment (online and offline) than most any other topic. Clearly it is on every one’s mind. As we continue to explore this topic it is important…maybe critical…that we realize that we have an obligation to ourselves and to the public to be conscious of keeping a balance between the radical and the superficial.

Almost all the responses, comments and in depth discussions haverevealed to me a classic blind spot.  A blind spot that inevitably appears in such a discussion.  In addressing this blind spot it is essential that balance be at the forefront of our thinking or we will automatically tip in one direction or the other.

If the only tool I have is a hammer…

…then every problem is a nail.  We have heavy investments in the past…financially, emotionally and culturally.  A total break will be hard and that is not what I am suggesting will be necessary in all cases.  But just because you have a facility, pews and a hearse does not necessarily mean that your future will need those things.  Maybe it will…maybe it won’t.  Or, maybe it will be in a different form.

In the past, transformation in our profession often occurred around the facility (call it facility-centric).  In this new era that may be true…in some cases.  But in others your facility and all its accouterments may prove to be a significant liability. From what I am seeing one of several scenarios may include “virtualizing” your facility or not having a facility at all.  Additionally, current trade area assumptions may no longer be valid.

Read full article on the Creedy Commentary: http://funeralhomeconsulting.org/best-practices/hammers-nails-pews-and-hearses