Why Funeral Homes Hire Duane
Most Preneed Programs Are Running Well Below Their Potential.
< 15%
Penetration rate at most funeral homes — when top performers run 1.5–2× at-need volume
40%
Of preneed leads that convert at strong-performing programs — versus < 15% at struggling ones
85%+
At-need capture rate at high-performing programs — families coming back because of a preneed relationship
$0
Duane's financial relationship with any insurance carrier — his advice is genuinely unbiased
The gap between the average program and the high-performing one isn't talent — it's systems. Carrier selection that doesn't match your demographic. A sales process that relies on scripts instead of conversations. A lead generation strategy that stopped working ten years ago. Compliance gaps that haven't been caught yet. Duane has seen all of it, and he knows how to fix it.
Consulting Engagements
Program Assessment
One-time
A full review of your current preneed program — KPIs, carrier terms, sales process, lead generation, documentation, and compliance posture. Duane delivers a written findings report with prioritized recommendations and a clear roadmap.
- Current-state KPI analysis
- Carrier terms and product review
- Sales process evaluation
- Lead generation effectiveness
- Compliance documentation check
- Written report with benchmarks
- Prioritized action plan
Program Build
Project engagement
Launching a preneed program from scratch — or relaunching a program that has effectively stopped producing. Includes carrier selection, marketing strategy, sales process design, staff training, and first-90-days support.
- Carrier evaluation and selection
- Lead generation infrastructure
- Sales process and presentation design
- Staff training (initial)
- Community outreach launch plan
- First-90-days follow-on support
Ongoing Advisory Retainer
Monthly
Monthly strategy sessions, KPI review, on-call support for staff questions, carrier issue resolution, and quarterly program check-ins. For funeral homes that want an expert in their corner consistently.
- Monthly strategy call
- KPI review and benchmarking
- On-call support (email/phone)
- Carrier issue escalation
- Quarterly in-person visit (optional)
- Compliance monitoring
How an Engagement Works
Confidential Discovery Call
30–45 minutes. Duane listens to where your program is, what's working, and what isn't. No pitch, no package presentation. Just a real conversation about your situation.
Proposal & Scope Agreement
Based on the call, Duane proposes the right engagement type and scope. You'll know exactly what you're getting, what it costs, and what success looks like.
On-Site Assessment
For most consulting engagements, Duane spends time at your funeral home — meeting your team, reviewing documentation, observing your process. This isn't done remotely from a spreadsheet.
Findings & Roadmap
Written report with benchmarks, findings, and prioritized recommendations. Not a list of things that are wrong — a clear roadmap of what to do in what order, and why.
Implementation Support
Available to support implementation — staff questions, carrier negotiations, process adjustments. You're not handed a report and left to figure it out.
Common Questions
Are you affiliated with any carrier?
No. Duane is not employed by, under contract with, or receiving referral compensation from any preneed insurance carrier. His recommendations are based entirely on what serves your funeral home and your families.
Do you work with funeral homes outside the Carolinas?
Duane's primary focus is NC and SC, where he is licensed and knows the regulatory environment deeply. He may consider engagements in neighboring states on a case-by-case basis.
What size funeral homes do you work with?
From single-location independent funeral homes to multi-location groups. The approach is different at each scale, but the core principles — systems, training, compliance, execution — apply everywhere.
Is our information confidential?
Yes. Everything shared in a consulting engagement — KPIs, carrier terms, staff situations, financial data — is treated as confidential. Duane does not share client information or use it in case studies without explicit permission.
Start with a Confidential Conversation
No commitment required. Just a straightforward conversation about where your program is and whether Duane can help.
Call (919) 822-2010