It’s been said that what gets measured gets done. And in no area is that more critical than when it comes to evaluating where you stand—not just as a business owner, but as someone planning for your life after ownership. If you’re not taking stock of where you are today, how can you possibly plan where you’re going tomorrow?
Let’s start with the basics: Do you know where you are in your journey?
Are you tracking your financials—or are you just looking at the bank account? Are you hoping someone will eventually take over the business—or assuming it will sell when the time comes? Are you planning to retire—or quietly believing the business will outlive you without a succession plan?
These are tough questions. Some are even uncomfortable. But they’re necessary. Because the only way to build a plan for the future—retirement, succession, or sale—is to first understand exactly where you are. And that’s where a business valuation comes in.
A funeral business valuation is more than just a number. It’s a snapshot of everything you’ve built. It tells the story of your life’s work—what it’s worth today and how it supports your plans for tomorrow.
At Johnson Consulting Group, when we conduct valuations, we don’t just crunch numbers. We help you answer life-altering questions:
- Based on your current trajectory, when can you retire?
- Should you be thinking about selling—or doubling down and growing further?
- Who will succeed you, and how can that transition be structured financially?
- How will taxes impact your future wealth and timing of transfer?
We recommend our clients revisit their valuation every five years—or more frequently if their business is changing rapidly. Why? Because as your business evolves, so do you. Your goals shift, the marketplace moves, your team matures—and what worked five years ago may not apply anymore.
Valuation isn’t just about numbers. It’s about insight. It’s about planning.
When we prepare a valuation, we dive deep. We review the last three years of financials, year-to-date performance, and a full 10-year lookback on case volume. We analyze your payroll and staff census—not only to understand your current workforce, but to identify who might be nearing retirement and who’s poised to lead next. We study your pricing, your competition, your demographics, and the projected market five to ten years out.
And today, with real estate values climbing, it’s more important than ever to include your property in that picture. What’s the true worth of your assets—and how might that affect your strategy?
After all this, we don’t just deliver a number. We deliver insights. We provide structural ideas and tax considerations. We help you decide: Is now the time to sell? Or is now the time to act on what you’ve learned and grow the value further?
One of my favorite insights came from a past owner survey we did. We asked: When are you planning to sell? A few said, never. That told me they thought they’d live forever. But the reality is, none of us do. And ownership doesn’t transfer through osmosis. It transfers through planning.
If you haven’t had a funeral business valuation in the last five years, it’s time. Get a true look at your progress. Use that knowledge to chart your course—whether toward retirement, growth, or succession.
Valuation isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of any smart plan for your business—and your life after it.
Contact us today!