Funeral and casket outlets are heading to the mall

We eat there, buy our clothes there and some people suspect teenagers may actually live there. So perhaps it was just a matter of time until funeral homes began setting up shop at the local mall.

For the past couple of years, Forest Lawn has been quietly putting movable kiosks in malls around Southern California.

Another business, coffin dealer Til We Meet Again, has been opening casket stores in malls in several states.

Forest Lawn spokesman Ben Sussman says the kiosks make it easier for the company to connect with its audience. He says it also puts potential customers in an environment that is perhaps less intimidating than a funeral home.

Industry officials say they are watching closely to see if the trend catches on.