Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) clarified on Wednesday that he sold his eponymous funeral business for “millions of dollars” after multiple media outlets reported the company cut ties with the Republican lawmaker due to concerns over how he expresses his political views.
Brent Taylor Funeral Directors first drew awareness to its forthcoming rebrand in a post to social media on Monday, confirming the company “is no longer owned, operated, or affiliated in any way with Brent Taylor.” After stating that “recent public statements” by Taylor “do not reflect the values, mission, or beliefs of our current leadership,” the company announced it would undertake “a full rebrand of the funeral home.”
Following the post to social media, ABC 24Â reported that the funeral home announced “new leadership amid rebrand plans,” while Fox 13 published an article with the headline, “Brent Taylor’s funeral home in cutting ties with the Tennessee senator: You’re dead to me.”
In his own post to social media, however, Taylor revealed that he actually made a significant profit from selling his funeral business sometime around 2022.
“I sold all of my successful business nearly four years ago for millions of dollars,” wrote Taylor in a post to X. “As part of that deal, I signed a non-disparagement clause.”
The Republican lawmaker added, “I will enjoy the money the out-of-state private equity firm paid me while I continue to Make Memphis Matter by Making Memphis Safe. The community can determine if they think the new owners run those businesses as well as I did. They’re off to a good start: The check they gave me cleared the bank — even with all those commas!”
I sold all of my successful business nearly four years ago for millions of dollars. As part of that deal, I signed a non-disparagement clause. So, I will enjoy the money the out-of-state private equity firm paid me while I continue to Make Memphis Matter by Making Memphis Safe.… https://t.co/d6THXJoZBn
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) January 21, 2026
It remains unclear exactly which of Taylor’s social media posts prompted his former business to issue its statement.
Recent X posts by Taylor include a photograph with Memphis-based radio host Todd Starnes, a post commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and criticism of a Shelby County court official who faced a criminal investigation after she allegedly attempted to enter a courthouse with private, armed security.
Law Enforcement visited a Memphis activist last year after writing that Taylor should “catch one in the throat” in a post to social media.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Senator Brent Taylor” by Senator Brent Taylor.Â
