ShareLife™ Multi-sensory Platform Provides Impetus for Sellers to Join FPG Family
Foundation Partners Group (FPG), a leading provider of innovative funeral, cemetery and cremation experiences, has announced that with the completion of five acquisitions this year, the company’s ShareLife® offerings are now available to more than 10,000 families nationwide that will be served by a FPG location in the coming year. FPG also stated the company will continue its aggressive acquisition strategy for the second half of 2016 and beyond.
“Since receiving significant new funding last year, Foundation Partners Group has been actively looking for opportunities to acquire funeral homes, cemeteries and cremation centers,” commented Brad Rex, FPG President and CEO. “These five completed transactions are the first fruits of our labor.”
The operations that have been added include traditional funeral homes, cremation centers and cemetery combinations. Each of the newly acquired firms operate in environments that have embraced cremation, which is consistent with FPG’s objective of creating meaningful funeral experiences for both burial and cremation customers. The list of acquired locations includes:
- Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home – two funeral homes located in the greater Syracuse, NY area
- Pierce-Jefferson Funeral and Cremation Service – a funeral home and crematory in Kernersville, NC
- Simplicity: Lowcountry Cremation and Burial Services – a value focused funeral home business in North Charleston, SC
- Portland Management – three locations that operate combined funeral home and cemetery businesses in Portland, OR
- Funeral Alternatives – three locations offering value focused services in the Olympia, WA area
“Our uniquely personalized offering continues to make us appealing to all sellers. As a result, we are a strong and attractive alternative to traditional consolidators,” Rex went on to say. “Completing five acquisitions in six months is one sign among many that firms like what we have to offer, including our ShareLife multi-sensory experience.”
FPG’s proprietary multi-sensory memorialization experience provides families with a unique approach to planning a remembrance. ShareLife® captures the story of a person’s life through videos, sounds, scents, innovative technology, storytellers, and an overall experience that leaves families and friends celebrating the most joyful and meaningful moments of a lifetime.
“With these acquisitions, we are getting more great leaders and innovative thinkers joining our company,” Rex added. “They have all been very successful in their businesses. Combining their market knowledge with our resources creates a very compelling opportunity for the sellers, the community and our company.”
“As we head into the second half of the year, our pipeline of acquisition candidates remains strong,” stated Justin Baxley, Senior Vice President of Business Development at FPG. “We have demonstrated that funeral professionals embrace our vision of the funeral experience, and we look forward to spreading that experience across the country.”
About Foundation Partners Group: Foundation Partners Group (FPG) is a leading provider of innovative funeral, cemetery and cremation experiences. As one of the largest private funeral profession operators, FPG owns funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries in 14 states, and is actively seeking to expand its locations throughout the U.S. With headquarters in Orlando, FL, Foundation Partners is committed to revolutionizing the funeral profession with a customer experience centered approach that harnesses innovation and values the power of relationship and partnership. For more information, visit the Foundation Partners Group website at www.foundationpartners.com.
In article – Portland Management photo caption: The two owners and their wives of Portland Management pose for a photo shortly after joining the Foundation Partners Family. From left to right are Michael Ashe, Debra Ashe, Becky Schroeder and David Schroeder.
Cover Image – Funeral Alternatives photo caption: The Funeral Alternatives family joins members of the FPG executive team to celebrate their acquisition. From left to right are Justin Baxley, FPG Senior VP of Business Development; Matthew and Jessica Ferris, Funeral Alternatives; Bob Bukala, FPG EVP, Chief Financial Officer; Sharon and Clair Ferris, Funeral Alternatives; Nancy Rex and Brad Rex, FPG President & CEO.
