From stepping up at 19 to keep the family business alive, to modernizing operations and navigating a successful sale, Anderson’s journey is a playbook for today’s funeral home owners facing an evolving market.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:54 Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast!
00:01:06 Welcome, Thomas J. Anderson!
00:02:34 The Anderson Family Legacy and Funeral Business
00:07:01 Expanding the Funeral Business
00:10:52 Innovation in Funeral Business
00:18:47 Selling the Business and Non-negotiables
00:20:41 Value of Brand Name and Pre-need
00:32:01 The Start of Funeral Director Daily
00:33:49 The Growth and Impact of Funeral Director Daily
00:37:51 The Role of "Experiences" in Funeral Services
00:39:32 The Goal of The Funeral Director Daily
00:46:49 Consolidation in Funeral Business: Pros and Cons
00:49:02 Advice for Funeral Home Owners Considering Selling
00:54:57 Speed Round: Future of Various Aspects of Funeral Industry
00:55:17 Alkaline Hydrolysis
00:56:27 Composting/Natural Organic Reduction
00:58:05 Online Cremation Brands
00:58:40 Online Memorialization Beyond Static Obituary
00:59:38 Cemeteries
01:02:55 Women in the Death Care Industry
01:07:31 Online Pricing Transparency and Regulation Changes
01:10:03 Consumer Trends and Traditional Funeral Services

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

If you lead sales, answer phones, or manage training for your team, this is a masterclass in turning a price inquiry into a real relationship!

#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #FuneralManagementSystem
#FuneralDirectorTips #OnlineCremations #FuneralArrangingSoftware #CremationBusiness #FuneralServiceSoftware #FuneralHomeMarketing #FuneralTech

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Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:12 Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast!
00:01:26 Welcome Ashley Jones!
00:02:04 Importance of the First Phone Call
00:04:05 Building Trust on the First Call
00:05:36 Balancing Facts and Genuine Connection
00:09:01 Goals of the First Phone Call
00:12:03 Common Mistakes in the First Call
00:13:32 Avoiding a Robotic Approach
00:15:43 Understanding the Language of Care
00:17:12 Powerful Language Swaps in the Funeral Industry
00:22:57 Handling Different Types of Customers
00:24:51 Closing the Call and Next Steps
00:26:53 Dealing with Uncertain Customers
00:29:41 The Importance of the Second Phone Call
00:32:17 Maintaining Consistency Across Multiple Locations
00:33:48 Training Staff for Effective Phone Interactions
00:36:26 Learning from Negative and Positive Feedback
00:40:23 The #1 Thing You Should Remember Before Answering a Call
00:42:34 The Impact of Good Phone Etiquette on Business Growth

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

It’s personal, smart, and packed with fresh ideas! 💡

#FuneralWebsiteBestPractices #FuneralIndustry #DeathCareLeadership #OnlineFuneralArrangement #FuneralHomes #AfterDeathCare #Eazewell #DirectCremationPodcast

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:01 Welcome Donnell Beverly Jr!
00:01:59 Basketball Career and Its Influence
00:03:25 Impact of Losing High School
00:05:39 How Grief Shaped Donnell's Outlook About Death Care
00:07:49 Transition to Business and Russell Westbrook Enterprises
00:12:05 College Experience and Leadership
00:15:10 Investment Philosophy and Social Responsibility
00:17:00 Zero World Media
00:18:50 Intentionality in Business and Partnership
00:20:01 Introduction to EazeWell
00:20:47 EazeWell's AI and User Experience
00:23:42 Partnership with LegalZoom
00:25:04 Value Proposition for Funeral Homes
00:27:23 EazeWell's National Rollout
00:28:43 Price Transparency in Funeral Services
00:31:18 AI and Human Concierge Services
00:32:52 Revenue Model and Funeral Home Partnership
00:33:54 AI-Assisted Account Closure
00:37:15 Quote Generation and User Experience
00:38:33 Financing Options for Families
00:40:34 Encouraging AI Adoption in Funeral Homes
00:43:20 What's Next for Eazewell
00:44:30 EaseWell Company Overview
00:47:13 Predictions for Death Care in 10 Years
00:48:14 Where to Find Donnell

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For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@directcremationpod

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

🎓 The truth about what mortuary school really teaches
🙅🏽‍♀️ The onboarding mistakes that push new hires out the door
📉 How micromanagement kills motivation
❤️‍🔥 What smart funeral homes are doing to keep their teams happy

Whether you're a funeral home owner, manager, or just passionate about funeral service—this episode will change how you think about hiring and training.

💡 Don’t miss this must-watch conversation packed with real talk, bold insights, and practical solutions.

Watch NOW and subscribe for more content funeral pro tips! 🎙

#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #FuneralDirector #MortuarySchool #FuneralProfessionals #DirectCremation #FuneralTech #FuneralTraining #OnlineCremations #FuneralIndustry

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:47) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:01:01) Welcome Martha Thayer!
(00:02:06) Beginning of Martha's Journey
(00:05:15) Martha's Early Experiences with Death
(00:10:06) Martha's Path to Becoming an Instructor
(00:14:39) Changes in Funeral Director Landscape
(00:18:04) Challenges Faced by Funeral Service Students
(00:22:57) Favorite Subjects to Teach in Funeral Service
(00:25:33) Expectations for Recent Graduates in Funeral Service
(00:28:51) Supporting New Funeral Directors
(00:30:21) Misconceptions about Working in Funeral Homes
(00:31:32) Reasons for Leaving the Funeral Service Industry
(00:33:52) Importance of Trust
(00:35:38) Lack of Onboarding and SOPs in Funeral Homes
(00:44:11) Emerging Trends and Generational Differences in Funeral Care
(00:47:30) Changes in Death Care and Impact on Training
(00:51:15) Role as Interim Executive Director of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association
(00:57:00) Reasons for Reintroduction of Individual Licensing in Colorado
(01:04:08) Mortuary Training Company Overview
(01:08:25) Importance of Consistency in Funeral Service
(01:10:02) Predictions for Death Care in 10 years
(01:13:11) How to Reach Martha

Whether you’re looking to streamline online cremation services, improve your funeral planning software, or explore innovative funeral home ideas, this one’s a must-watch. 👀

Learn how top-performing funeral homes are using cremation software to grow smarter—not just bigger! 💡

#funeralsoftware #cremationsoftware #onlinefuneralarrangements #funeraltech #funeralhome

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(01:02) Welcome Courtney!
(01:46) Courtney's Career Journey
(05:21) Founding Lumen Cremation
(10:26) Efficiency in Direct Cremation Business
(13:27) Learnings from Serving the Public
(17:48) Leveraging Referral Sources and Free Resources
(19:27) Decision to Sell the Business
(22:53) Considerations for Business Acquisition
(27:46) Challenges in Starting a New Cremation Brand
(30:57) Transition to Tribute and Expansion of Services
(35:00) Transition from Family Business to Large Scale Operation
(35:28) Importance of Understanding Customer Needs and Mindset
(40:51) Partnership with Parting Pro
(45:27) What Death Care Looks Like in 10 Years
(48:28) Trends and Challenges in the Death Care Industry
(52:42) Where to Find Courtney

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #FuneralTech #AIinFuneralHomes #CremationServices #FuneralMarketing #OnlineCremation #FuneralDirectors #ArtificialIntelligence AI #PartingPro #FuneralManagement #DigitalFuneralPlanning #FuneralDirectorSoftware #DeathCareTech #OnlineFuneralArrangements #FuneralAutomation #MortuaryManagement #CloudFuneralSoftware #FuneralCRM #DigitalDeathCare #FuneralServiceTech #CemeteryManagement #FuneralWorkflow #MemorialPlanning #EndOfLifeTech

What you’ll learn:
✅ How AI can write obituaries in seconds (and make them personal!)
✅ The secret to using ChatGPT for funeral home marketing & websites
✅ How AI-generated funeral home images can enhance your branding
✅ Why funeral directors should embrace AI (instead of fearing it!)

Whether you run a funeral home, crematory, or offer online cremation services, this episode is packed with insights on how AI can save time, increase efficiency, and even improve customer service.

👉 Don’t miss out—watch now!
📌 Like & Subscribe for more insider funeral tech tips!
🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(00:40) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:42) Welcome Will Chang!
(01:55) Introduction to AI platforms
(03:26) Demonstration of ChatGPT
(03:51) ChatGPT vs Google
(04:27) Writing an obituary using ChatGPT
(15:01) Using AI to enhance creativity
(15:54) Applying different frameworks
(20:51) Using AI to mimic different writing styles
(24:01) Generating marketing content with AI
(38:59) Creating images with AI
(42:03) Exploring other features of ChatGPT
(46:05) Where to contact Will

__

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, we sit down with Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, to explore how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)—also known as human composting—redefines death care.

Micah shares:

✔️ How NOR turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil in just two months
✔️ The emotional and environmental impact of this groundbreaking process
✔️ Stories of families creating meaningful tributes with NOR
✔️ The challenges and triumphs of introducing a brand-new disposition option

Whether you're curious about sustainable alternatives to cremation or looking for innovative ideas in the funeral industry, this episode will leave you inspired!

Watch the full episode now to learn how NOR is changing the game. 🔥

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insights on the future of death care! 🎙️

#FuneralArrangements #EcoFriendlyLiving #DeathCareRevolution #PodcastAlert #HumanComposting #ReturnHome #TheDirectCremationPodcast #funeralhomesoftware

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro
(00:48) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast!
(01:01) Welcome Micah Truman
(01:37) Micah's Background
(04:41) Inception of Return Home
(06:31) Process of Terramation
(08:39) Breaking Down the Bones
(09:02) Ingredients for Terramation
(09:43) Speed of the Process
(10:35) Soil Generation
(11:23) Use of the Soil
(12:24) Return Home Business Model
(13:10) Pricing of Terramation
(14:26) Return Home Licensing
(14:53) Process at Return Home
(16:08) Shipping Process and Legalities
(16:29) Customer Segmentation
(18:53) Discussion on Process Speed
(21:53) Challenges and Economics of the Business
(24:00) Memorialization Services and Packages
(28:28) Operations at Return Home
(29:31) Pre-need Sales
(30:48) Legalities and State Regulations
(32:08) Religious Perspectives on Terramation
(35:44) Future Plans for Return Home
(37:24) Current Capacity of Return Home
(38:12) Odor Management in Terramation
(39:49) Waste Management in Terramation
(41:10) Business Model and Scale of Terramation
(44:41) Regulations and Materials in Terramation
(45:38) Potential Challenges for Smaller Proprietors
(47:28) Future Expansion of Return Home
(48:47) Apprehension and Confidence in Terramation
(50:18) Local vs Non-Local Business
(52:27) Expectations for the Next Decade
(54:43) Learning from Initial Mistakes
(58:06) Invitation to TerraCon

__

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://www.partingpro.com

They’re all part of this can’t-miss episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast!

Join Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, and Caroline Andre, our merchandising expert, as they share hilarious stories and expert insights into growing your funeral home business with:

✅ The right tools for meaningful cremation arrangements (no more ladle moments!).
✅ Strategies to optimize your funeral arrangement software and online stores.
✅ How to price urns and keepsakes to compete with Amazon, Etsy, and more.
✅ Why Gen Z and Millennials value eco-friendly and discreet cremation merchandise
✅ Proven tips to maximize revenue with funeral service software and e-commerce.

(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:11) Welcome back, Caroline Andree!
(02:03) Personal story: John C. Bailey
(02:55) Memorial service and scattering experience
(05:33) Top reasons why funeral home sales fail online
(06:07) Families need guidance
(08:25) The merchandise is overpriced
(12:47) Merchandise is not varied enough
(19:00) Analyzing pricing and tracking trends
(21:25) Case study: Leaf Cremation
(22:34) Have your merchandise tell a story
(23:52) Understand the standard
(24:54) Case study: Gulf to Bay Cremation
(26:18) Conclusion
(32:21) How to reach Caroline

Whether you’re looking to improve your online funeral arrangements, boost sales with the best funeral home software, or simply enjoy a laugh, this episode delivers value from start to finish.

🎧 Watch now, and learn how to enhance your services and grow your revenue with insights into cremation software, funeral tech, and more!

#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #CremationWebsite #FuneralPlanningSoftware #CrematorySoftware #OnlineCremations #FuneralManagementSystem #FuneralTech

In a candid conversation on the Direct Cremation Podcast, hosted by Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, Douglas shared his journey, strategies for success, and predictions for the future of funeral services. His insights offer a roadmap for funeral directors aiming to grow their businesses while embracing the changing needs of families.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:10) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:25) Welcome Douglas Klein!
(02:24) Douglas' entry into deathcare
(06:34) Challenges of running a business
(08:11) Establishing Chicagoland Cremation Options
(09:29) Growing the business
(10:02) Key strategies for growth
(10:49) Marketing and customer engagement
(13:01) Importance of personal presence
(13:34) Communicating with clients
(16:25) Impact of the pandemic on business
(18:13) Growth mindset and responsible expansion
(21:31) Handling different client requests
(23:01) The importance of personal engagement
(26:51) Understanding call conversion and cost per case
(32:41) The role of competition in the market
(33:14) Predictions for the future of deathcare
(37:57) The impact of third-party merchandising
(40:55) The impact of third-party vendors
(42:48) Changing attitudes towards death
(45:58) Future plans for Chicagoland
(48:30) Avoiding burnout in the deathcare industry
(50:55) What deathcare will look like in 10 years
(54:59) Impact of the pandemic on society
(55:48) Comparing deathcare practices across cultures

A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Get your own step-by-step guide to set up Local Service Ads yourself here:
https://learn.partingpro.com/google-local-ads-for-funeral-home

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:32) What Albert Will Share with Us Today
(02:44) Explanation of Local Service Ads
(03:49) Benefits of Local Service Ads
(04:53) Comparison between Local Service Ads and Search Ads
(05:35) Advantages of Local Service Ads
(06:05) Costing of Local Service Ads
(08:28) Disputing Phone Calls
(09:34) Importance of Local Search Ads
(10:38) Reasons to run Search Ads
(12:21) Process of Getting Screened for Local Search Ads
(15:30) Running Full Service Ads
(16:05) Importance of Business Page Information
(16:38) Understanding and Managing Local Service Ads

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

🔥 Listen in as we explore:
• Teel’s unexpected journey into death care
• The rise of cremation rates and how funeral homes can adapt
• The power of sales in the arrangement room and why it’s essential for funeral success
• Strategies to maintain a personal touch, even in online arrangements
• Predictions for the future of the funeral industry

Whether you're a funeral professional or just curious about the evolving world of death care, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on more industry insights!

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:56) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) Welcome Christopher Teel!
(01:56) Christoper’s journey
(04:53) Salesmanship in a funeral home
(10:28) Christopher's cremation brand: Rivercrest
(16:44) What makes Christopher a good salesperson
(18:00) Meeting every family where they are
(22:25) The crossover between Christopher's two brands
(24:14) Do you mix and mingle staff?
(24:56) What drives Christopher?
(26:46) How Christoper sees the market for his cremation and traditional funeral home brand
(30:10) How important is the 1st call etiquette?
(32:08) Is Rivercrest the most affordable in its area?
(35:56) What's next for Rivercrest Cremation?
(37:44) How Christopher sees the future of deathcare
(40:17) Christopher's celebration/event center
(44:57) What Christopher thinks deathcare will look like in 10 years

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

With 10 years of NFDA’s Pursuit of Excellence awards, his company is set to be inducted into the NFDA’s “Hall of Excellence” for their consistent achievement - a true testament to their dedication and impact in the industry.

Join us as we delve into Jeff's entrepreneurial spirit, the secrets to scaling multiple businesses, and his unique approach to funeral service. This conversation is packed with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss!

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:06) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:03) Welcome Jeff Smith!
(02:41) Jeff's deathcare journey
(08:17) Jeff purchasing multiple funeral homes
(15:21) The consistency across Jeff's funeral homes
(21:20) Characteristics to look for when acquiring new funeral homes
(23:32) The thought process behind operating Arkansas Cremation
(32:56) Different levels/packages of direct cremation
(37:19) People becoming less traditional
(39:01) Jeff having multiple acquisitions in 2020-2021
(44:50) Jeff's pre-need life insurance company
(49:04) What's next for Jeff?
(50:01) The story behind the name "Cyrus"
(51:31) What's next for Cyrus Works?
(53:26) Post-covid consumer trends
(56:54) What Jeff thinks deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(01:04:37) Where to find Jeff Smith

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Online marketing might seem easy to set up, but getting it right is another story.

In this episode, my co-founder Albert Chang walks you through the top 10 mistakes that could be draining your ad budget.

It’s not just about following the basics or letting Google handle everything—there are seasoned competitors out there who will grab the attention of your families if your marketing isn’t on point.

Let’s make sure your marketing dollars are working hard for you, not going to waste.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:30) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:04) Welcome Albert Chang!
(01:47) What it takes to be really good at digital marketing
(03:37) Top 10 mistakes funeral homes make with their digital marketing
(04:04) #1 Neglecting Negative Keywords
(08:35) #2 Poor Ad Copy
(12:22) #3 Ignoring Ad Extensions
(15:17) #4 Unoptimized Landing Pages
(18:20) #5 Improper Bidding Strategy
(20:38) #6 Lack of Conversion Tracking/ Tracking “Wrong” Conversions
(24:57) #7 Inconsistent Budget Management
(27:34) #8 Skipping Ad Scheduling
(30:28) #9 Lack of Audience Targeting
(32:07) #10 Lack of Keywords Grouping / “Wrong” Keywords Grouping
(34:05) Bonus #11 Not Setting Up Google Business Profiles

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, we dive into the story of this first-generation funeral director who, in just five years, turned his vision into a powerhouse business. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own brand or just curious about what it takes to succeed in this industry, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:46) Troy's Background
(03:02) Troy took a decade away from deathcare
(05:07) What led Troy to start his own business
(10:20) How did Troy grow so quickly?
(13:39) How to maintain good reviews?
(15:46) How much of Troy's business is in-house vs. using 3rd party
(18:13) Does Troy still see a lot of families now?
(22:27) What's the most important for Troy?
(27:39) Where does Troy see his business going?
(35:34) Any big plans or changes coming to Troy's business?
(36:32) Troy's staff
(38:20) What Troy thinks deathcare will look like in 10 years

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), joining us for the third time! Barbara is here to drop some serious knowledge bombs about the latest cremation trends.

In this jam-packed episode, we dive into CANA's annual report, one of the most comprehensive in the industry. We uncover fascinating insights into death rates and the ever-evolving choices families make between cremation and burial. Did you know that while cremation is on the rise, the growth rate is starting to slow down a bit? Find out why. 📊

We also take a state-by-state tour, revealing some surprising stats. 10 points if you can guess which state finished at just about 32.6% cremation and which state tops the chart with an astronomical 83.1%. 🌎🔥

This is THE episode you don’t want to miss! Hit play and join us for an engaging and informative discussion with one of the industry’s top experts. 🚀👂

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:02) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:40) Welcome back Barbara!
(01:58) Quick intro about Barbara
(03:26) What goes into creating the report every year?
(05:58) The next 5 years in terms of growth
(08:19) Why certain states have very high cremation rates
(15:45) We're at a 15-year lag if we follow the Canadian trends?
(18:48) Predictions
(21:27) How long have they been doing the reports?
(26:22) Was there anything in the data that surprised Barbara?
(31:38) What Barbara did in England
(38:37) The upcoming Cremation Innovation Convention

Link to the summarized CANA report: https://www.cremationassociation.org/industrystatistics.html

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, discover Scott's insights on innovation in death care (a must), adopting a growth mindset (absolutely necessary), and the one crucial metric that drives the highest valuation in the industry [(34:08)]. Gain invaluable knowledge from a true expert—watch now!

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:51) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:21) Welcome Scott Newton
(01:33) How Scott got into deathcare
(03:56) How Graystone helps funeral homes
(10:04) Biggest gaps funeral homeowners overlook
(12:59) Creating new ideas vs. hitting goals
(14:37) Thoughts on this rapid change and how it affects the funeral homeowners
(20:21) Adapting quickly vs. doubling down on what works
(25:27) How Scott would deal with a confused customer
(30:27) "The M&A side of deathcare is more active than it's ever been"
(34:08) How to increase a company's valuation
(40:49) Graystone's marketing strategy
(46:50) What does Scott think deathcare will look like 10 years from now?
(54:32) How to contact Graystone

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover Julie’s journey from her beginnings to expanding her cremation business to serve thousands of grateful families. Learn her secrets to maintaining a consistent, five-star experience across multiple locations and teams without compromising quality.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:01) How Julie got into deathcare
(05:57) How Julie knew that she wanted to start a cremation brand
(08:07) Was there ever any trepidation?
(09:25) What was Julie's 1st year was like
(10:50) How they got their first 200-300 customers
(12:25) Where is Julie's business now?
(13:30) Hundreds of genuine 5-star ratings
(15:49) Thoughts on the newer disposition types
(19:59) Anything new or different for Crevasse in 2024?
(20:49) Having dedicated staff for each location
(23:08) What the next level of growth looks like for Crevasse
(23:59) How does Julie feel about the direct disposition as a Floridian?
(25:55) Should the direct disposal license be a separate class?
(28:34) Where Julie think deathcare goes in 10 years
(31:02) Would Crevasse add services to capture the outside of the funeral home?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

But it’s not just his impressive resume that stands out. When Robert speaks about the latest trends, his dedication to education, and the groundbreaking initiatives at CANA, you can’t help but be captivated. In this episode, Robert shares powerful insights and predictions for the future of death care. With his vast experience and deep understanding of the industry, his perspectives are truly invaluable. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by one of the most influential voices in death care today.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) Welcome Robert Hunsaker
(02:00) How Robert started
(06:19) What being president of CANA is like
(08:28) What draws Robert to get involved with CANA?
(09:45) Which season of Robert's deathcare career has been most enjoyable?
(11:18) Big mistakes vendors are making
(14:06) How can funeral owners push forward without being too fast
(18:54) Factors Robert look for when acquiring or starting a business
(20:32) How did Robert know that it's time to sell
(21:46) Exciting trends in deathcare right now
(24:43) What would Robert's cemetery/funeral home/property would look like with unlimited budget
(28:07) What does Robert think deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(30:06) Does Robert think that direct cremation will still grow in the future?
(37:50) What Robert is looking forward to coming out of CANA
(40:24) Final thoughts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

If you'd like the insert of the best selling merchandise, please email caroline@partingpro.com for a copy.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:40) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) What Caroline will be sharing with us today
(02:03) Where Caroline gets the data
(03:14) Trends in funeral home merchandise
(06:59) Ways to increase the number of families that choose to purchase memorials
(09:20) Impact of conversations with families
(10:51) Green and sustainable options in merchandise
(14:28) Best-selling urns
(18:47) One mistake that we found
(20:30) Best-selling keepsakes
(23:18) Best-selling jewelry
(27:57) Anything else Caroline found interesting in the data
(30:04) How much merchandise is being sold per arrangement
(30:21) Caroline shares some tips
(31:31) Optimizing merchandise displays
(32:58) Warm-toned merchandise preference
(34:55) Where to find Caroline

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover how Bryce's innovative methods have redefined service in the cemetery. Learn about his strategic insights into the fast-growing, highly competitive market of low-cost online cremations, and how his unique blend of compassion and entrepreneurship is setting new standards.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(01:07) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast 
(01:20) Welcome Bryce Bunker! 
(02:05) Exploring Other Paths 
(05:28) Bryce's Experience Working in a Startup 
(07:14) Innovation and Multi-Generational Owners 
(12:19) After.com - Online Cremation Platform 
(16:09) Differences and Longevity 
(21:09) Bryce Being an Angel Investor 
(24:32) Future Plans for Funeral Home and Cemetery 
(28:38) What's next for After.com? 
(30:44) Bryce's Next Business? 
(35:20) "Cemeteries Now Need a Lot of Creativity" 
(37:32) What does Bryce think Deathcare will look like in 10 years? 
(39:28) Polarization in the Market 
(44:12) Final Thoughts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, Jimmy gives us a peek into how his funeral homes maintain such a high level of service at a scale larger than some corporately owned groups. You won’t be able to find many others more impressive in death care.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(01:51) Welcome Jimmy Altmeyer!
(02:18) How Jimmy found Funeral Profession
(05:34) Challenges, perspective, and business acumen
(06:26) Building a funeral empire from three to many
(09:05) Building, competing, and acquiring in the death care industry
(13:27) A closer look at traditional, mid-tier, and online-only options
(14:59) Strategic service offerings and and preventing self-cannibalization
(20:03) Navigating the price-driven landscape and rediscovering the value of funeral services
(27:00) Industry giants, legal dynamics, and potential transformations
(28:52) A deep dive into funeral home management strategies
(35:01) Fostering consistency and excellence: Funeral home management insights
(39:41) The purpose of Treasured Memories brand
(48:34) A day in the life of a funeral home entrepreneur
(51:34) Continuing the legacy
(52:33) The art of funeral home acquisitions and cultural alignment
(55:03) Jimmy answers the question: What does funeral service looks like in 10 years

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(01:05) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:24) Where to start when creating a cremation society
(11:41) Expectations vs. Reality
(15:45) Tips for Funeral Homeowners or Directors: Navigating online arrangement processes
(18:19) The power of a justifiable attractive price
(23:12) Balancing competitiveness and justifiable pricing
(33:18) Essential steps for business excellence
(44:17) Transitioning to efficiency
(50:34) Impact and importance of being proactive
(56:21) Mindset mastery
(01:00:44) Striking the balance between expansion and refinement
(01:05:37) Fun facts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

After managing one of the largest cremation brands in the world (5,000+ cremations/year) to now training and consulting for hundreds of cremation companies across the country, Ashley Jones has seen a lot of different approaches to building a cremation company. In this episode, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that owners make that have destroyed promising cremation brands. 

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(00:37) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:46) Who is Ashley Jones? 
(01:20) Welcome Ashley Jones! 
(01:51) Goal of a low-cost or online cremation brand 
(03:03) Discussion on the successful brand Ashley worked for
(04:36) Importance of building relationships with hospice 
(06:17) Ashley's role at Parting Pro as a client consultant 
(07:22) Red flag: Wrong demographic for online arrangements 
(08:25) Red flag: Small population or lack of email usage
(09:48) Red flag: High cost of direct cremation
(11:08) Red flag: Offering online option with a high price
(11:59) Competitors offering lower prices and more value 
(13:30) Building a website alone doesn't guarantee success 
(16:51) Online presence is crucial for success
(23:42) Online cremation brands are not like funeral director kiosks. 
(28:20) Mistake: Assuming a $1,000 customer will become a $4,000 customer. 
(34:56) Online brands need to be clear about what they offer. 
(36:30) Funeral homes should be happy to serve families at their price. 
(37:55) Customers can feel when they are wanted or not. 
(39:28) Get honest feedback by having someone call your funeral home.

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com
 

While you might think that these are non-sense things for hippies, Will would respectfully disagree. See how breathwork can create lower anxiety, less stress, and the ability to be more connected to people and relationship, the most important facets of death care. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" definitely holds true for this one. 

Timestamps 

(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:46) My impression of breathwork and meditation
(02:02) What I found when I started practicing breathwork
(03:04) I might have overlooked what breathwork really is
(03:33) How has breathwork and meditation helped me over the last year
(05:03) My recommendation 

Links Wim Hof | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ
Take a Deep Breath | https://www.youtube.com/@TAKEADEEPBREATH
Joe Dispenza | https://www.youtube.com/@drjoedispenza 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Whether you're an owner, a manager, or even just a new graduate, understanding the challenges and support needed for the new majority of death care is important. 

In this episode, we talk to Erin Creger, founding member, as we talk about how this group started out of COVID, grew with some of the most influential women in death care, and what is in store next year.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(01:19) Welcome Erin! 
(02:17) How the Death Care Collective started 
(08:57) The core values of the Death Care Collective 
(11:48) Virtual events 
(14:54) What kind of problems does Death Care Collective solve? 
(19:15) What is the Death Care collective actively doing right now? 
(28:40) Erin's first job 
(31:38) Changes Erin have seen over the past 10 years in death care 
(37:05) Any new challenges? 
(42:28) Anything else we can look forward to from the Death Care Collective? 
(43:42) Where does Erin see death care is going in the next 10 years? 
(45:30) Where to find Erin or the Death Care Collective

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this talk, we discussed:

• Why the FTC is amending the Funeral Rule now.
• Which amendments are likely to change.
• What impacts this will have on your funeral home.
• When these changes will take affect.

Described as "the most informative webinar I've attended in regards to this topic", this is not one you want to miss.

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Despite her accomplishments, Sandra humbly attributes her success to great mentors and a support system in death care. However, her path has been marked by unwavering perseverance, hard work, and an unrelenting passion for achieving her goals.

In this episode, you will have the opportunity to hear Sandra's remarkable story, from her aspirations of becoming a lawyer to her initial experiences with a temp agency, ultimately leading to her role as COO. It is an inspiring journey that you won't want to miss.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(03:51) Sandra's unconventional journey into death care
(10:18) Sandra's transition from wanting to be an attorney to death care
(10:48) Sandra's experience with losing her work visa and finding support
(13:45) Learning at SCI prepared Sandra for success at smaller companies.
(17:31) Sandra's ethnic background
(20:07) The mission of The Death Care Collective
(24:34) There is a shortage of women graduates in the death care industry.
(25:20) Recruiting outside the industry and mentoring can help fill positions.
(27:11) Work-life integration is important for retention and avoiding burnout.
(27:55) The impact of burnout on business and the future of management
(28:57) Balancing recruitment and healthy work culture
(31:15) Future plans for the Death Care Collective
(36:03) Role of a CANA board member
(37:38) What can we look forward to in CANA?
(40:58) Discussion about the FTC panel and proposed changes in death care
(50:31) Challenges and rewards of being a COO of Fairmount
(56:12) What Sandra thinks deathcare will look like in 10 years
(58:13) Where to find Sandra, The Deathcare Collective, and CANA

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

Drew de Michaelis was the operational maestro behind Omega Society during its pinnacle, when it was serving upwards of 4,500 families each year from just one Southern California location. This achievement was far from coincidental; it was the result of a meticulous, data-focused playbook designed for peak operational efficiency. 

In this enlightening episode, Drew unveils the essential metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that were the cornerstone of Omega Society's success. Listen in to discover how the right data analytics can ensure both outstanding value for families and optimal operational performance for your team.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:47) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:45) Drew's background
(03:27) Drew's role at Omega Society
(06:54) Drew's first impressions of Omega Society
(07:46) Observing the complexity and identifying opportunities for improvement
(08:59) Differences in mindset and coworker interactions compared to Harry's
(10:35) Contrasting communication styles and workplace experiences
(12:54) Analyzing processes and optimizing operations in a funeral home
(15:22) Measuring important metrics, such as days per cremation
(17:35) Tracking new cases and days to cremate for maintaining health
(19:15) Managing in and out flow on a daily and weekly basis
(20:55) Monitoring customer experience through reviews and feedback
(21:47) Tracking metrics for the arrangement process
(24:30) Assigning responsibility and accountability for specific arrangers
(27:56) Drew's personal goals for their funeral directors
(30:54) Enacting change by understanding individual motivators
(32:46) The potential for skilled professionals in the funeral industry
(34:26) Trends in the industry Drew is excited about | What deathcare looks like in 10 years
(40:48) What Drew is up to nowadays

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

An experienced death care professional had four clients call her in the week before a conference, expressing their intention to file for bankruptcy. This is unprecedented and raises concerns about the state of the funeral profession. 

The clients that called her shared common themes: low sales, dwindling case numbers, being traditional smaller firms in rural areas, and not keeping up with the times. The clients felt worried, didn't know what to do, and felt they had no other options. They were behind in taking the right actions and felt overwhelmed and stressed. These struggling firms lacked an online presence and digital marketing strategies, and seemed to be operating on autopilot without actively growing their businesses. Are these struggling firms the canaries in the coal mine, indicating trends that other firms may face in the future?

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:25) A conversation I had with someone at the CANA convention about the state of the deathcare profession from the business side
(02:09) Let's dive in on these bankruptcies
(02:46) What are some of the common themes?
(03:15) What were they feeling?
(05:11) Are they the canary in the coal mine? If yes, who's next?
(06:46) What I think is happening and what will continue to happen
(07:44) What can we do about it?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

Just a few of her properties include: Wiefels & Son Mortuary, Wiefels Cremation and Funeral Services, All California Cremation, Simply Remembered, Joshua Tree Memorial Park. 

In this episode, Maggie pulls back the curtain on her recipe for success, showing commitment to excellence without resorting to shortcuts. Also, join us as we watch the first real conversation between Maggie and Will as they reflect on their journey as competitors in the fiercely competitive Southern California death care landscape.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:08) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:36) Quick summary of Maggie's family businesses
(04:36) Maggie's refreshing response to Tyler's invitation
(05:32) Maggie: I've not found a great shortcut in deathcare
(07:58) You don't have to have massive amounts of funeral homes or case counts to be successful
(10:39) Raising the prices a little bit isn’t going to turn families away
(16:37) How Maggie's journey to deathcare started
(19:31) Did Maggie's 4-year university experience help shape how she works in her family business today?
(23:01) Any unspoken pressure from the parents?
(24:09) The biggest difference between the cremation society model and the funeral home
(28:09) How Maggie successfully manages so many businesses and brands
(30:00) "You really can't do it alone"
(32:32) Work ON the business not IN the business
(35:59) Trends in deathcare that Maggie is excited about
(42:23) What Maggie thinks deathcare will look like 10 years
(48:14) Maggie's thoughts on having to post prices online

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:17) How Jimmy and his family got into the funeral service
(07:14) How Jimmy's background as a social worker play into who he is as a Leader
(13:39) Jimmy's advice for struggling funeral directors
(17:51) How Jimmy thought about starting his online cremation brand
(28:43) Jimmy's NFDA experience
(31:41) Jimmy is on the board for CANA this year
(33:42) General thoughts on FTC
(41:15) How Jimmy identifies a good business as a multiple business owner
(46:18) What's next for Lucas Family Funeral Homes?
(51:29) What's next for Jimmy?
(53:01) What does Jimmy think deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(55:56) Where to find Jimmy

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

Death Curious Podcast: https://deathcurious.com 
Parting Stone: https://partingstone.com 

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:53) The Story of Parting Stone
(05:07) What Parting Stone's customer journey look like
(12:16) Some critiques about Parting Stone
(14:12) Interesting things people have done with their stones
(17:48) What's up next for Parting Stone?
(18:59) What Death Curious Podcast is about
(26:27) “There's no need to have a sense of competition”
(27:44) Can death become widely talked about/accepted anytime soon?
(32:14) Alkaline Hydrolysis and NOR
(41:13) Memorial Reefs
(43:01) Different expectations between deathcare today and consumers who are experiencing deathcare for the 1st time
(49:45) What does Alexandra think deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(51:24) Where to find Alexandra

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Learn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a year without digital marketing: https://wdgroupconsulting.com

You’ll notice today, I’m by myself. I’m going to bring you a different kind of content than I usually do with Tyler. We'll be talking part 2 for self-care in the death care profession. My goal is to speak to death care professionals directly and acknowledge those difficulties of the profession and talk about ways to make our way through together.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(00:30) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:54) Risk factors for burnout
(02:46) Burnout risk factor #1 - Heavy workload or long/unpredictable work hours
(04:28) Burnout risk factor #2 - If you work in a helping profession
(06:29) Burnout risk factor #3 - You feel that you have little or no control over your work
(08:06) Consequences of job burnout
(09:13) Excessive stress, fatigue, and insomnia
(11:53) Alcohol or substance misuse
(14:15) Disease
(15:29) Potential solutions for handling job burnout
(15:49) Try to take action
(17:04) Seek support
(17:38) Get some exercise and proper sleep
(19:01) Mindfulness

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

You’ll notice today, I’m by myself. I’m going to bring you a different kind of content than I usually do with Tyler. We'll be talking about self-care in the death care profession. My goal is to speak to death care professionals directly and acknowledge those difficulties of the profession and talk about ways to make our way through together.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(00:57) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:45) Acknowledge that our work is emotionally demanding
(04:21) Recognize the causes of burnout
(06:15) Depersonalization
(06:39) Decrease sense of accomplishment
(07:45) Low mood
(09:07) Exercise: Questions you can ask yourself
(10:10) 1. Have you become cynical?
(10:34) 2. Do you drag yourself to work?
(11:45) 3. Have you become impatient with co-workers, patients, or clients?
(12:17) 4. Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
(12:55) 5. Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
(14:21) 6. Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
(16:04) 7. Are you using food, drugs, or alcohol to feel better?
(16:43) 8. Have your sleep habits changed?
(17:30) 9. Are you having unexplained headaches or other physical complaints?
(18:43) Possible causes of job burnout
(18:58) 1. Lack of control
(19:52) 2. Unclear job expectations
(22:03) 3. Dysfunctional workplace dynamics
(22:36) 4. Extremes of activity
(24:03) 5. Lack of social support
(24:37) 6. Work-life imbalance

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Cremation Society of Maryland alone does 5,000 calls per year. Chris shares the insights in such a running a high volume and efficient deathcare operation.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast 
(03:35) The beginning of Chris' professional career 
(09:33) How is the cremation society of Maryland team structured? 
(12:49) The business model 
(14:32) The phone answering system 
(20:02) “We only have one shot” 
(22:13) Will: Compete! All we do is competing 
(23:43) How to maintain and drive case volume 
(25:53) Do they do any paid ads? 
(31:03) "It's not a job, it's a lifestyle" 
(33:01) "Burnout is a real thing" 
(34:38) A "weird flex" story 
(36:49) Change is inevitable 
(40:20) What's next for the Cremation Society of Maryland? 
(42:30) What Chris thinks deathcare looks like in 10 years? 
(43:58) Chris' magic bullet

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Will's Masterclass signup link: https://www.wdgroupconsulting.com

Timestamps 

(00:00) Intro 01:54 Will's takeaways from Omega Society 
(04:09) The most important thing to Omega Society's success 
(05:00) What Will saw in deathcare in the past decade that makes relationship marketing so important? 
(06:49) What makes relationship marketing so much more important than the other stuff 
(13:08) What Will have been doing after Omega Society 
(14:02) What makes a good in-service? 
(20:43) Will's Relationship Marketing Masterclass 
(21:46) The relationship marketing masterclass freebies 
(22:36) Where to get the freebies 
(24:50) How much Omega Society spends on relationship marketing

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Welton shares what successful death care marketing looks like in 2023. He tells us the biggest things you need to be doing as a funeral home owner to win more cases today.

Timestamps 

(00:00) Intro 
(00:48) Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast 
(01:54) What does Ring Ring do? 
(03:16) Changes to death care marketing after COVID 
(12:22) Shifts happening in the different types of death care businesses 
(15:21) Welton's tips for website conversions 
(18:32) How your website should be performing 
(22:37) Fix your website copy 
(23:37) Will's experience with ChatGPT 
(29:53) What funeral homes need to be working on 
(34:00) The most important factors affecting your Google Map Pack ranking (Local SEO) 
(37:00) Your Google Business Page is STILL important 
(38:49) New trends making funeral home phones ring 
(39:31) You should be working with your hospices 
(43:53) What's next for Ring Ring Marketing? 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

From living above the funeral home until age 21, to then starting, growing, and eventually selling one of the largest cremation societies in the world, and somehow mixing in being a past president of the Cremation Association of North America & Funeral and Memorial Information Council, he has done it all and from speaking with him, he’s still hungry for more. 

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast 
(01:53) How it started for Kevin 
(14:26) Direct Cremation vs. Traditional 
(17:10) Kevin's "secret sauce" 
(20:34) Name recognition is really important 
(22:25) The scale and size of the Cremation Society of Minnesota 
(28:33) What was it like when Kevin sold his business (One of the largest cremation societies in the world) 
(32:43) Was Kevin happy when he sold his business? 
(35:36) What's next for Kevin 
(38:48) Kevin: We've got the tools, use them. 
(45:47) How cheap can we go? Will death care be able to rebound? 
(48:15) What does Kevin think death care looks like in 10 years? 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(00:54) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast 
(02:38) The origin of Parting Pro 
(07:57) Getting into a program in silicon valley 
(11:04) What were the conversations like during the pivot 
(14:02) Parting Pro's first big sale 
(17:45) Death care moves really slow 
(21:07) Parting Pro now vs. 5 years ago 
(22:57) Funeral homes know what their problem is 
(24:26) Will's hot seat question 
(26:15) The mission of Parting Pro 
(29:26) What does the future hold for Parting Pro? 
(33:16) How Parting Pro helped Omega Society during covid 
(34:17) Covid being a catalyst for everyone to embrace technology 
(36:14) What's next in the death care space 
(37:53) Tyler's take on what death care looks like in 10 years 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(01:18) - Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast 
(02:55) - Removals strategy as a full service traditional brand 
(05:08) - Removals strategy as a new cremation brand 
(12:50) - Removals strategy while doing 30-60 cases a month 
(17:12) - Cons of hiring an internal team to handle removals 
(21:35) - Vetting a removal company to represent your brand 
(29:55) - Is the first interaction too important to outsource?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(01:08) - Welcome Leili McMurrough 
(01:57) - Graduating 10% of new death care workforce 
(06:18) - Leili's journey to becoming the owner of Worsham College 
(10:56) - Redesigning mortuary science education 
(13:04) - Incorporating feedback from funeral homes 
(16:13) - The changing demographics of mortuary science students 
(20:17) - How to onboard the younger generation 
(26:45) - Why are students choosing funeral service 
(31:56) - What should be in the curriculum 
(37:03) - What is important when hiring a new funeral director 
(46:48) - Instilling the culture for a new employee as a leader 
(56:19) - How can funeral home owners retain their new employees 
(1:03:55) - Hiring proactively instead of reactively 
(1:06:45) - Being open to feedback as a leader 
(1:09:39) - The path to building a process for new employees 
(1:14:05) - What deathcare looks like in the next 10 years

Worsham College of Mortuary Science Website: https://worsham.edu

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Pierce is on the Board of Directors for both the Georgia Cemetery Association and the Southern Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association. If there was a 30 under 30 in death care, he would definitely make the list.

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:39) - Welcome Pierce Dempsey 
(01:49) - Dempsey family funeral businesses 
(06:05) - Pierce's personal journey into the business 
(09:44) - What Pierce tried that didn't work 
(11:49) - What has worked really well 
(19:00) - What led to the success of Leaf Cremation 
(23:30) - Why Pierce shares best practices 
(28:35) - How Leaf Cremation does its own removals 
(36:06) - How did Leaf Cremation get so many reviews 
(37:44) - How Leaf Cremation answers phones 
(41:20) - What Leaf Cremation is focused on 
(44:13) - What deathcare looks like in the next 10 years 

Leaf Cremation Website: https://www.leafcremation.com

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

In today’s episode, we have Poul Lemasters, death care lawyer to the stars, to update us on all the changes up for evaluation, where we’re at in the process, and what these changes may mean for your funeral home in the future. 

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:56) - Welcome Poul Lemasters 
(02:08) - What is the Funeral Rule currently? 
(03:45) - What problem exists with the current Funeral Rule? 
(03:57) - The proposed changes to the Funeral Rule 
(08:31) - What’s happened so far? 
(13:15) - The sentiment from consumers and industry professionals 
(17:44) - What is the extreme that FTC could go? 
(26:26) - How quickly could this be enforced? 
(28:31) - How would Poul change the Funeral Rule? 
(32:54) - Who are the winners and losers? 
(38:09) - What should businesses do to prepare?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:45) - Will's first death care conference 
(04:06) - Our talk: Efficiency or Die 
(06:53) - Marketing efficiency 
(17:02) - Sales efficiency 
(25:06) - Operational efficiency 
(39:24) - Biggest takeaways from the Symposium

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Jake is also a successful multi-funeral home owner, a tech entrepreneur, a car collector that would give Jay Leno a run for his money, and a published author. With his book, “Staying Alive in the Funeral & Cemetery Profession.” His experience has made him an expert in funeral home valuations, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and customer experience in death care. 

Johnson Consulting Group Website 

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:51) - Introducing Johnson Consulting's Jake Johnson 
(01:32) - Jake's journey in the funeral industry 
(03:39) - Performance Tracker surveys for self-accountability 
(07:27) - How a lost customer means losing $20,000 in enterprise value 
(09:12) - Why direct cremations have the lowest satisfaction 
(11:19) - Rising labor costs means moving to technology 
(14:04) - Spend your time wisely and outsource the rest 
(17:08) - How do you differentiate from your competition 
(21:22) - Collaborating with peers to solve problems 
(23:49) - What goes into a funeral home valuation? 
(30:19) - What businesses demand higher multiples? 
(41:26) - Best ways to increase enterprise value 
(44:22) - Planning for succession 
(50:28) - How to attract good talent 
(53:44) - How do you explain value and it resonates with the customer 
(1:02:06) - What does death care look like in 10 years?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Nicki answered her first customer service call in 1989 for a bank in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has since cultivated a 30-year career in improving the customer experience. She’s on a mission to remedy the subpar service customers receive when calling businesses.

Dead Ringers Website: https://deadringers.co

Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(00:46) - Introducing Dead Ringer's Nicki Wiedeman
01:33) - What is a mystery shopper?
(03:13) - The most common things uncovered in shopper calls
(05:10) - Can empathy be taught and trained?
(11:55) - The ingredients for a good death call
(16:29) - Building trust with open-ended questions
(22:56) - Ideal organizational structure to manage phones
(33:05) - Being self-aware of the terminology we use
(36:42) - Listen to yourself on the phone
(40:50) - What technology looks like in 10 years

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro
(01:10) - How relationships with hospices helped Omega Society grow to 4,500 cases a year 
(02:33) - Why should a funeral home care about hospice? 
(04:42) - The hospice team and how do they interact with families 
(07:55) - What the social worker expects from the funeral home 
(10:05) - What the nurse expects from the funeral home 
(11:40) - Building trust and rapport with hospice social workers 
(13:10) - Hospice social workers aren't familiar with end of life 
(15:31) - Reaching out and doing local educational in-services 
(17:43) - Approach to market credibility as a resource, not sell services 
(18:55) - Preparing a flyer with good questions for families to ask funeral homes 
(23:35) - Providing logistical or operational information on unique situations 
(25:12) - Becoming a resource and offering a tour of your facility 
(26:30) - What cadence should you do in-services? 
(30:25) - Becoming Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with transparency 
(31:18) - Make it fun for hospice workers and be different 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Learn more about CANA: cremationassociation.org

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:50) - Welcome CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis 
(02:27) - CANA's latest research on cremated remains 
(06:40) - 26% have human ashes in the household 
(11:15) - 51% of cremated remains in household are veterans 
(19:08) - Everyone does something after a cremation 
(22:39) - 70% were involved with loved ones in decision to cremate 
(26:17) - Younger generation more positive about services 
(31:36) - 5% want to leave cremated remains at funeral home 
(35:53) - 60% upgraded from temporary containers 
(42:28) - How to expand services from direct cremation? 
(54:41) - Effects of Covid on cremation

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

He is a former member of the Board of Directors of CANA, former editor in Chief of the Cremationist, a Cremation Coach with ICCFA, a past member of the National Funeral Directors Association Exhibitor Advisory Committee and was formerly a Trustee and Past President of the Executive Board of the NFDA Heritage Club. 

Raven Plume Consulting: https://ravenplume.com 

Timestamps 
(00:00) - Intro 
(00:51) - Raven Plume Consulting's Larry Stuart Jr. 
(01:56) - Larry's 26 year journey in deathcare 
(04:14) - Funeral home operation mistakes 
(07:08) - Funeral home marketing mistakes 
(14:14) - How crematory operators can improve 
(21:26) - Guidelines for owners to be inspection ready 
(24:52) - Good ID chain of custody practices 
(34:25) - Finding a crematory space and permitting 
(40:0)1 - Costs of setting up crematory 
(48:35) - Check your ego at the door 
(52:43) - Newest funeral trends 
(1:03:02) - Cremation Strategies vs Raven Plume 
(1:07:07) - What deathcare looks like in 10 years 
(1:10:37) - Where to find Larry and Raven Plume Consulting 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Learn more about Keeper and TalkDeath:

• Keeper Website: mykeeper.com 
• TalkDeath Website: talkdeath.com 

Timestamps 

00:00 - Intro 
00:40 - Welcome Keeper Memorials' Mandy Benoualid 
04:46 - The origin story of Keeper 
08:17 - What is important to a family when someone passes away? 
09:52 - How is it different to the traditional obituary? 
16:03 - What elements should be included in an obituary? 
17:36 - The surprising things families are doing 
21:09 - Crafting personalized virtual memorial services 
33:01 - The story behind TalkDeath, a death-positive media company 
36:45 - What is death positivity? 
41:52 - What funeral directors can be open with general public with 
50:23 - How Keeper works 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

White Rose Aqua Cremation is the first alkaline hydrolysis facility for human final disposition in California. As of right now, they are the ONLY on-site aqua cremation facility in California that serves the public.

Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(00:41) - Welcome White Rose Aqua Cremation's David Perfito
(02:33) - What is alkaline hydrolysis?
(03:26) - Body decomposition during a water cremation
(09:22) - The process to get certified to be the first
(12:30) - Why families choose gentle water cremation
(14:17) - Serving families well is creative
(18:32) - Business growth through education
(22:09) - Focusing on customer experience
(24:48) - Providing preneed 1:1 to at need
(33:46) - What is used to process the remains?
(39:15) - What does death care look like in 10 years?

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

Founded by Jill Schock, a certified doula, DDLA aims to help her clients navigate end-of-life arrangements, embrace their own style in that experience, and empower them to have meaningful conversations with their loved ones.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is a Death Doula? 
• Jill's background and how it led you to found DDLA?
• What Jill thinks the current death care industry does well and what needs work?
• What services does Jill offer your clients and their families to fill that gap?
• What problems does Jill solve that hospice doesn’t?
• What do Jill's clients have in common?
• Does Jill run into any challenges as a doula who operates with but also outside the normal scope of a client’s medical team? 

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

Timestamps
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:37) - Introduction of Kevin McKay, Manager of Cremation Recycling
(03:43) - The one minute elevator pitch of Cremation Recycling
(04:30) - Transparency makes Cremation Recycling different
(08:06) - How do the metals get extracted, refined, and repurposed?
(14:00) - Who Cremation Recycling will not work with
(15:40) - What do they do with pacemakers?
(20:41) - How to approach the recycling conversation with families
(25:41) - The types of metals you typically find in the metals
(27:32) - You should be getting HOW MUCH per cremation from your recycler? Watch Will lose His Mind!
(32:11) - Why refining the metals is unnecessary for Cremation Recycling
(36:31) - Why you should hang out with Kevin at the next Funeral Trade Show
(42:18) - What does death care look like in 10 Years, according to Kevin

You can find Kevin at kmckay@midstatesrecycling.com or his website: Cremation Recycling

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Ryan got duped into death care.
• How his brand represents his authentic self.
• What companies have failed in death care and what companies are working.
• How his family has become a staple at death care conventions.
• What are Ryan's grails?
• What death care look like in 10 years.

Ryan is everywhere! Find him on LinkedIn | Instagram | Disrupt Media | Connecting Directors

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

Timestamps
(00:00) - Teaser Introduction
(01:15) - First Video Podcast
(03:00) - What is Parting Pro?
(04:02) - Most Common Decedent Name
(05:12) - How Should You Price Your Online Arrangement Packages
(11:48) - The Biggest Cremation Brands Have a lot of Similarities
(14:48) - How Often Do Families Choose the Black Plastic Container?
(18:37) - The Most Purchased Urn in all of Our Online Arrangements
(22:14) - This Had Major Growth During the Pandemic
(23:21) - E-commerce and Consumerism is Not Going Back
(29:28) - Will Technology Replace Funeral Directors?
(33:28) - How Many Cases can a Funeral Director Handle per Month?  
(36:48) - What Will Was Surprised About In Death Care During COVID

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
DirectCremation.com | Youtube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com

In this episode, we discuss:

• What funeral directors can do to help families earlier in the dying process.
• What exactly hospice is.
• What do death doulas do to fill the gaps in the dying process.
• How you can help your local hospice social worker.
• What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Donna.

Donna Baranyay
Email  | Haven Health
 

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• His entrepreneurial journey and learnings through prior fails and debt.
• How Eterneva, a company that turns ashes into diamonds, was started.
• Why Eterneva doesn't just sell diamonds.
• His young daughter's journey through a cancerous tumor lead him to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
• How the customer experience at Eterneva creates long-lasting, positive goodwill for Funeral Directors.
• What does death care looks like in 10 years, according to Garrett.

Eterneva
TikTok | Instagram | Website | Shark Tank Clip

Garrett Ozar
Email | LinkedIn

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Possible FTC changes to the funeral rule.
• What happened to Heritage/Legacy Cremation Providers (the illegal one).
• Why shielding your families from what you do in the funeral home is hurting your business.
• Transparency, transparency, transparency.
• How proper phone etiquette is one of the most important things to your funeral home.
• How you can get a free copy of his book, Cover Your Ass: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting your Business.
• What death care looks like 10 years.

Poul's New Book: The CYA Life

Have death care questions? Lemasters Consulting

We're giving away a free copies of the book! Just show proof that you've left a review of us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and the first 5 listeners will receive a free copy.

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What changes he brought to the customer experience in death care.
• How bringing technology into the funeral home was necessary for survival.
• What surprised him coming into the profession after not starting his career in death care.
• How COVID created a breaking point in his career.

If you'd like to reach out to Drew, you can find him on his LinkedIn

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why join the Cremation Association of North America?
• What to expect a the 104th Annual Convention in Atlanta, GA?
• Why families that ask for price are actually looking for more.
• The race to the bottom is over. What's next?
• How she transitioned from librarian to executive director.
• What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Barbara?

Check out all the details of CANA's 104th Annual Convention here

Register as an attendee here

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why pay a marketing company in death care?
• What is the single most important thing a funeral home needs to do to stand out online?
• Do you need to be number one on Google to be successful?
• What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Welton?

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episodes we discuss:

• What makes a celebrant so important?
• Who would benefit from celebrant training? (Hint: everyone)
• Why families still need an event even with the rising direct cremation trend.
• Why celebrants aren't only for the non-religious families.
• What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Glenda?

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode we discuss:

• How did Titan Casket start?
• Is selling direct-to-consumer anti-funeral home?
• What is the craziest custom casket they’ve created?
• Red Sox? Yuck.
• Building a customer casket from their website builder.
• What do funerals look like in 10 years, according to Scott and Josh.

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode we discuss:

• What role does technology play in operating his funeral home.
• What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Eric.
• Why being a first generation funeral home owner has helped him grow Green Cremation Texas.
• Hiring party planners in your funeral home?

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode we discuss:

• What efficiency means in a funeral operation as large as Cascade Funeral Directors.
• Why phone etiquette is so important to the family experience.
• What COVID did to the staff.
• The similarities of Ashley and Will's experiences as funeral directors.
• What will death care look like in 10 years, according to Ashley.

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.

In this episode we discuss:

• The differences between a full-service and an affordable cremation brand.
• What does a business that serves 3,000+ families per year look like internally.
• What being a funeral director during COVID was like.
• What lasting effects did COVID have on death care.
• What will death care look like in 10 years.

Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@directcremation.com).

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.com.

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at partingpro.com.