AAMI Newsletter — Issue No. 5
Preparing compassionate professionals for the world’s most dignified, AI-proof career.
Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:
New Alumni Page (Now live)
Rapid Fire Q&A (Alumnus: Myla Brown)
The Big Story (…46% of Funeral Home Owners Set to Retire Before 2030)
Hot Topics (Quick headlines)
We mentioned it in the last issue — but are featuring it now. AAMI graduates now have a dedicated hub at aami.edu/alumni with career resources designed to support your next move.
The page features job boards from 35+ state funeral directors associations, plus listings from national organizations like NFDA and Selected Independent Funeral Homes. You’ll also find career portals for major employers including SCI/Dignity Memorial, Carriage Services, Foundation Partners Group, and Park Lawn Corporation.
Whether you’re job hunting, exploring ownership opportunities, or simply staying connected to the AAMI community, this is your starting point. Bookmark it today.
She swore she’d never do it. Myla Brown grew up around her family’s funeral home and spent years insisting she wouldn’t follow that path. Now she’s a class of 2025 AAMI graduate preparing to get licensed, and she’s not looking back.
Why funeral service?
“I love helping people, talking to people, I appreciate art and cosmetology, and I love telling people what to do and where to go.”
What did AAMI teach you that stuck?
“How to be a great test taker. My approach to exams is completely different and much more effective.”
Biggest misconception about funeral directors?
“People assume funeral directors are antisocial weirdos or only care about money. My classmates and teachers are some of the nicest, funniest people I know.”
Why is this career AI-proof?
“AI is fine for scheduling meetings, automated messages, and payment reminders, those are the most bureaucratic parts of the job that would probably benefit from a lack of human error. But loss and grief are experiences that will always require human interaction.”
Advice for someone considering this path?
“There are so many different roles, science, art, clerical work, design, accounting. There’s a role for everybody.”
Myla’s journey reveals something prospective students often overlook: funeral service doesn’t require you to become someone new, it asks you to bring everything you already are. In a job market anxious about automation, Myla isn’t worried. She knows what humans will always need from other humans.
The Big Story
The Ownership Opportunity: 46% of Funeral Home Owners Set to Retire Before 2030
For new licensees, the path to equity and ownership has never been clearer
The most critical statistic in funeral service right now isn’t about cremation rates—it’s about succession.
According to data referenced by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and The Foresight Companies, nearly 46% of funeral home owners are in the midst of retiring before 2030. Yet a significant portion of these businesses lack a clear succession plan.
This creates a buyer’s market for the next generation.
For new licensees entering the field in 2026, the path to equity is clearer than ever. Valuations from groups like NewBridge Group indicate that independent firms are actively seeking qualified, licensed successors to preserve their legacy against corporate consolidation.
What This Means for AAMI Graduates and Alumni:
You aren’t just training for a job - you’re training to acquire a stable, community-anchored asset. In this industry, the “exit strategy” for the current generation is the “entry strategy” for yours.
5 Ways to Identify Opportunities:
Watch for signs: Long-tenured owners without visible next-generation involvement; funeral homes not affiliated with SCI or other corporate groups
Geo-target: Not all locations are the same. Seven regions across the U.S. are particularly more profitable than others — as explored on our LinkedIn page
Build relationships: Ask for casual conversations with funeral home owners to discuss their own journey, ask advice on how to choose a funeral home to buy; this is an opportunity to build trust-equity with sellers
Ask directly: Many owners are relieved when a qualified professional expresses interest in their legacy
Engage brokers: Firms like NewBridge and The Foresight Companies specialize in matching buyers with sellers
The next five years represent a generational wealth transfer in funeral service. Position yourself accordingly.
📝 AAMI Blog: Essential qualifications for a career in funeral service – Read Now
💻 NFDA Women in Leadership: Accepting nominations for 2026 award – Vote
🛍️Now Law: New Jersey law ensures unclaimed veteran burials. - Learn More
🌟AAMI Press: AAMI celebrates 100 years of excellence… – Check it Out
