What to Do When It’s Time to Sell My Funeral Home

You’ve spent years building a trusted business. Now you’re asking, Is it time to sell my funeral home? Maybe you’re ready for retirement. Maybe life changed. Or maybe it just feels like the right moment. Whatever your reason, selling a funeral home takes some planning—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

This guide covers how to approach it in a way that’s simple, practical, and clear. If you’re starting to think, How do I actually sell my funeral home?, this is a solid place to begin.

Start With Your Records

Before you talk to anyone, get your stuff in order. Not everything has to be perfect, but buyers will ask for financials—so you want them clean and honest.

Pull together:

• Profit and loss statements

• Tax returns for the past few years

• Pre-need contracts

• Payroll info

• Property details if you own the building

Buyers using funeral home loans or SBA loans for funeral homes will need this info to get approval. So the cleaner your books are, the smoother the ride.

What Are You Really Selling?

This might sound obvious, but think through what’s actually part of the sale.
Are you:

• Selling the building, too?

• Leaving behind the name and staff?

• Passing on the vehicles and equipment?

Some folks just want to sell the business. Others want to include everything. The buyer’s financing depends on this, especially if they’re getting funeral home acquisition loans or working with lenders familiar with mortuary business financing.

Get a Real Valuation

You’ve got personal feelings attached. That’s normal. But what it’s worth to you and what it’s worth to a buyer might not match up.

Valuation is based on:

• Cash flow

• Location

• Stability

• Client base

• Overhead

If someone’s serious about buying a funeral home business, they’ll want numbers that make sense. Lenders, too—especially those offering loans to buy a funeral home—will run their own checks.

Talk About the Transition

Most buyers want to know what happens after closing. Will you help for a few weeks? A few months? Walk out on signing day?

It’s not just a nice thing to offer—it’s often part of what seals the deal. A smooth transition can go a long way, especially if the buyer’s new to the business.

Will Financing Be a Hurdle?

In most cases, yeah. Not many people pay all cash. They’re going to be talking to banks, running numbers, and comparing funeral home business loan rates.

They might go through the best banks for funeral home loans, or they might look into how to finance a funeral home purchase with the help of brokers. Either way, they need your numbers to make the case.

If your financials are solid, you’ve already done half the work for them.

Property: In or Out?

If you own the land and building, think hard about whether you want to include it in the deal. Some sellers keep the property and lease it. Others package it all together.

If the buyer is bundling the deal into their loan (like with SBA loans for funeral homes), they’ll want to know up front. And if you’re planning to lease, get the terms figured out before listing.

Be Upfront About Weak Spots

Buyers appreciate honesty. If something’s not running smoothly—say it. If staff is stretched thin or demand dropped off during the year—explain why.

You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re expected to be real.

Little Things That Make a Big Difference

Want to help the deal close faster? Do this:

• Fix basic maintenance issues

• Have a list of vendors and contracts ready

• Let your staff know what's happening when the time comes

• Don’t play hard to get—be available for questions

None of these are flashy, but they help the buyer see themselves stepping in without chaos.

Final Thought

Deciding to sell my funeral home is a big step. But with the right prep, it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Keep your records tight, stay honest, and plan ahead.