The Commander Initiative is a group of funeral homes that buy in bulk and that has revolutionized the way funeral homes are purchased and managed. By using the collective purchasing power of its members—that is, the funeral homes that are part of the group—the Initiative has been able to negotiate better deals with service providers. This obviously helps the funeral homes save money, and those savings are passed on to their customers.
Joining the Commander Initiative is beneficial for funeral homes in a number of ways. For one, it permits access to an expansive network of suppliers and service providers, allowing for much greater flexibility and choice when it comes to procuring the goods and services that funeral homes need to run their business. And that really needs to be the first and foremost reason to join.
However, the merits of the Commander Initiative go far beyond saving money. It is not primarily a cost-saving program at all. It is a program that is designed to improve the overall quality of what the funeral homes are providing to the families and the decedents. And we do that by bringing together the funeral homes, sharing best practices, showing them how to operate better, not only in a cost-effective way, but also in a way that provides a better service to the families and decedents.
The Commander Initiative is not solely intended for funeral homes, however. It is also directed toward other businesses and organizations that work in the death care industry—casket manufacturers, flower shops, and transportation companies, to name a few. These diverse assemblages are, at the very least, a good opportunity for any funeral-related organization to interact with, and potentially learn from, others in the industry. Even OnAble, the Florida sheriff's office learning management system that is partially responsible for the initiative, has a better chance of succeeding in that endeavor thanks to a more colorful, not to mention bigger, funeral services industry.
Therefore, if you are an owner or operator of a funeral home, or if you hold a position in the funeral service sector, it is of great merit to think about becoming a member of the Commander Initiative. It is concentrated on collaboration, conserving costs, and improving quality. The initiative is a positive force for change in the industry and a resource for anyone contemplating succeeding in this difficult but rewarding field.