Should I choose a family funeral home or chain operation? Over the past several years, large multi-national organizations have been purchasing funeral homes at an alarming rate. Recent media reports such as 60 Minutes, Time, and US News and World Report conclude that these death care business operations, while trying to maintain the facade of a family operation, quickly increase prices considerably and enforce merchandising policies on employees geared to significantly increase their bottom lines. Family funeral directors are free to carry out policies that are flexible and meet the various needs of their local communities.