Why I partnered
Q & A with John and Jonathan Seitz, Adamson Life Celebration Home, Northern Colorado Crematory, Viegut Funeral Home and Best Friends Pet Crematory
After 20 years as a minister, John Seitz knew what it meant to help families in need. He began his funeral service career on a part-time basis in 2000 and purchased his first funeral home just seven years later, bringing his son Jonathan onboard to help. Since then, they have offered families innovative, customized funeral and memorial experiences, and shaken up the Colorado funeral market. The father-son team joined the Foundation Partners family in June 2021. Jonathan managed the transition, while John was excited to take a step back and enjoy time off.
How did you begin succession planning?
John: When I turned 68 I knew that I needed to start thinking about it. I had always intended to legally transfer the business to Jonathan, but never considered what it would mean to fully retire, because I always wanted to make myself available to him. My financial planner asked me, “What will it look like when you lock the office door and never look back?” The question stunned me and I began to think a lot more about what retirement meant. I then began to back away slowly as Jonathan became the face of the business. We now meet every day to discuss things, but now all the managers report to him. While we started succession planning with the goal of Jonathan taking over, we were always open to other options. We’re good friends with Jason Widing, Foundation Partners’ vice president of business development, and he bounced a few ideas off Jonathan. They always joked about selling but then the conversation became more serious. We considered how working with a larger company could help us grow what we started. Ultimately, we decided selling to Foundation Partners was the best way to go.
Why was it the right time to sell?
Jonathan: My dad and I started this is a business together. With him slowing down, I wanted other players around me who could provide me the operational support that he had always provided. Selling wasn’t on our radar at all until Jason called me. We trusted him so that made us comfortable. I also thought a lot about where I see myself in the next ten years and what I want to achieve in my career and Foundations Partners would provide me those opportunities.
Why did you ultimately choose Foundation Partners Group?
John: I’m now 70 and winding down vocationally, however. Jonathan’s engines aren’t slowing down at all. He’s very talented and everybody loves him. At 36, he’s ready to make his mark. Foundation Partners offers him the option of continuing with the company and joining the larger team. Jonathan’s future was pivotal in our decision. Selling took care of my income needs for life and provided a challenge and exciting future for Jonathan. It seemed like a win-win. We choose Foundation Partners because we share similar values. Jonathan and I are very future focused and always have been. Instead of resisting families’ increasing interest in cremation, we embrace it. We don’t care if people choose cremation or burial, as long as they have a good experience with us. Like Foundation Partners, we have always emphasized the funeral service and the gathering itself to promote comfort and healing. Our mission is to move beyond the status quo of funeral service to reimagine what an end-of-life service could be. We feel like that’s a perfect match with Foundation Partners.
What does this partnership mean for your team?
Jonathan: For our staff, this partnership is extremely beneficial. The career advancement opportunities are huge for them. They’ll have opportunities to transfer to other Foundation Partners’ locations to further their careers and have access to more robust benefits. Employees are what make the business go. I’m excited for them to grow with a firm that believes in innovation and changing the industry.
What does the future look like for you both?
Jonathan: The partnership provides great opportunities for my career. My dad will still be involved but take on a community-liaison type of role for the brand and step back from daily operations. As he says, “ I’m not retired, but not required.”
Contact Us
If you’re thinking about succession planning, now is the perfect time to arrange a complementary, confidential financial analysis with Foundation Partners.
Foundation Partners Group
369 N. New York Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
For general inquiries, please call:
Phone: (888) 788-7526
Fax: (407) 583-4735