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The Valley of the Shadow of Low Revenue

InvoCare’s half year profit went down by half, and it blames death — or, to be more precise, a dearth of deaths. The funeral home company says more than 1 percent fewer people died in the Australian states it serves in the first half of this year than in the same period a year ago. And analysts warn a “very mild” flu season could bring more sad news for the industry. But embalming teacher Priscilla Nelson Feaver says the field has become more competitive, and Greg Inglis, managing director of Picaluna, an online service where you can work with vendors to give your loved one a unique sendoff, says his company’s on a “rapid growth trajectory.” But “In the longer term,” said Martin Earp, chief executive of InvoCare, “the trend for death remains positive.” And that’s good for people who, as one funeral celebrant put it, “need people to die.” (AC/Melbourne Age) ...Preferably at their regularly scheduled times.