We Quit Our Jobs To Run A Cemetery Business – It Now Brings In $6 Million/Year

Why It Matters

The story highlights how a traditionally overlooked, recession-resistant sector can be modernized into a profitable, mission-driven business that preserves cultural assets while generating reliable cash flow. Their model—digitization, reinvestment and perpetual-care funding—offers a template for turning legacy property portfolios into sustainable enterprises.

Summary

Shayda Frost and Timothy Amoui unexpectedly inherited a family-owned cemetery operation and turned it into a modern, multi-site business that now generates over $6 million a year across Lincoln Cemetery, Monte Vista, Washington Memorial Gardens and Dawn Memorial Park. Lacking digital systems and formal plans when they arrived, the pair prioritized digitizing century-old records, professionalizing operations and reinvesting all profits back into grounds, staff and perpetual-care funds. Their revenue comes from four core products—burial plots, burial vaults, professional opening/closing services, and memorials—and they emphasize growth to sustain payouts and community-facing restoration projects. Despite heavy upfront costs for salaries and grounds maintenance, the owners say improving the cemeteries boosts long-term financial stability and community value.

Original Description

Shayda Frost was a film producer and her husband, Tim Amoui, worked in PR in LA. But when Frost's father died unexpectedly, the couple flew to her hometown of Atlanta, quit their jobs, and took over the family business: cemeteries. Frost and Amoui are now the owners of Lincoln Memorial Group, which operates four working cemeteries Georgia's capital. In 2025, the business brought in over $6 million in revenue.

Produced by: Zach Green, Lauren Shamo

Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos

Camera: John Falchetto

Editor: Marisa Forziati

Animator: Christina Locopo

Reporter: Sophie Caldwell

Additional Footage: Shayda Frost, Timothy Amoui

Subscribe to CNBC Make It.: http://cnb.cx/2kxl2rf

Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus

About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.

Want to get ahead at work? Then you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, How To Talk To People At Work, expert instructors teach you how to use everyday conversation to gain visibility, build meaningful relationships and advance your career. Sign up now: https://cnb.cx/3OfRmzP

Connect with CNBC Make It. Online

Get the latest updates: https://www.cnbc.com/make-it

Find CNBC Make It. on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. on Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. On LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/MakeItLinkedIn

#CNBC

#cnbcmakeit

#HowIMadeIt

We Quit Our Jobs To Run A Cemetery Business – It Now Brings In $6 Million/Year