The Direct Cremation Podcast: Recent Episodes
Will de Michaelis, Tyler Yamasaki
Tyler and Will talk about valuable, interesting things in death care. Come join us as we explore unique perspectives from all sides of the death care industry.
Tyler Yamasaki is the CEO of Parting Pro, an online arrangement platform that has helped over 150,000 families arrange their services from the comfort of their own home.
Will de Michaelis helped grow and manage the Omega Society, a cremation brand that at it's peak, helped over 4,500 families a year.
Whether you use funeral home software, a cremation website, or the best funeral home software available, your marketing works best when it helps people solve real problems. This episode explains exactly how to create educational materials that hospice staff will actually keep, share, and remember. đĄ
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:36) Hospice Flyers That Make An Impact
(00:02:00) Questions To Ask Yourself When Creating Flyers
(00:05:24) Flyers That Hospice Workers Love
(00:07:19) How To Make The Flyers?
(00:08:56) How to Use AI to Make Your Flyers
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
Will calls it the âReferral Factory,â and the name fits. This approach does not rely on one lucky call, one cremation ad, or one direct mail campaign. Instead, it creates a repeatable system that helps a funeral home, cremation provider, or online cremation services brand become the trusted resource healthcare workers remember when families need guidance.
Don't miss outâcheck the full episode now! đ§
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:59) Welcome to The Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:01:43) The Death and Dying Ecosystem
(00:02:51) Who is Your Customer?
(00:05:18) The Hospice Opportunity (The Math)
(00:10:30) Step-by-Step Relationship Building Process
(00:14:27) Education vs. Branding
(00:16:36) Important Channels for Lead Generation
(00:19:57) Action Plans for This Week
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
Families no longer search for funeral homes the way they did ten years ago. They still use Google, of course, but they also ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and other AI tools for recommendations. That shift creates a new question for funeral professionals: when a family asks a robot which cremation provider to trust, will your firm show up?
In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, welcomes back Welton Hong, CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, gives funeral homes, cremation providers, and death care marketers a practical look at how AI search may affect local visibility, cremation advertising, and funeral website marketing.
If your next case depends on how Google or ChatGPT summarizes your business, this episode is one you canât miss! âđ˝
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:03) Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast!
(00:01:14) Welcome, Welton Hong!
(00:02:14) What is Generative Engine Optimization?
(00:03:44) What Has Changed with AI/Answer Engines Over the Last Year?
(00:09:58) The Future of Google and AI Tools
(00:15:57) Adapting to AI and Google's Dominance
(00:17:15) The Importance of SEO Content and FAQ Style
(00:18:46) The Role of Google Business Profile and Citations
(00:22:55) The Impact of Schema Markup
(00:26:31) The Future of AI and Local Search
(00:30:00) Ranking the Importance of Free and Paid Marketing Strategies
(00:31:18) Balancing Growth and Market Protection
(00:33:55) Predictions for the Future of Search
(00:38:46) The Importance of Quality Content
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
In this solo episode, Will de Michaelis is back in the pod to dive into data collected from more than 500 funeral homes and uncovers the operational patterns shared by the industry's highest performers. These elite firms represent just 3.7% of the funeral homes studied, yet they consistently handle 1,000, 2,000, and even 3,000 cases annually.
Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:51 The Top 3% of Funeral Homes
00:01:44 The data
00:02:25 The cultural belief in funeral service
00:03:11 Finding 1: They build teams, not empires
00:04:24 Finding 2: They're never done improving
00:05:55 Finding 3: They know their numbers
00:07:41 Finding 4: They commit fully
00:09:03 Finding 5: They own their core
00:10:51 Intentionality
00:12:18 Homework: Audit yourself this week
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
Few in death care can match the experience and perspective of Thomas J. Andersonâfourth-generation funeral director, community leader, University of Minnesota Regent, and the voice behind the widely read Funeral Director Daily blog. In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, dives into Andersonâs story of legacy, innovation, and gratitude.
From stepping up at 19 to keep the family business alive, to modernizing operations and navigating a successful sale, Andersonâs journey is a playbook for todayâs 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
When a family calls your funeral home, they are not shopping for a product. They are searching for peace of mind.
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
What begins as a story about basketball evolves into a powerful conversation about grief, legacy, and the future of funeral service software.
Itâs personal, smart, and packed with fresh ideas! đĄ
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
Get ready to dive deep on:
đ The truth about what mortuary school really teaches
đ
đ˝ââď¸ The onboarding mistakes that push new hires out the door
đ How micromanagement kills motivation
â¤ď¸âđĽ What smart funeral homes are doing to keep their teams happy
Whether you're a funeral home owner, manager, or just passionate about funeral serviceâthis episode will change how you think about hiring and training.
đĄ Donât miss this must-watch conversation packed with real talk, bold insights, and practical solutions.
Watch NOW and subscribe for more content funeral pro tips! đ
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
Courtney spills real-world strategies that helped her:
đ How tech + empathy create faster trust and fewer callbacks
đ Build a brand that families loved (55+ 5-star reviews)
đ¸ Keep ROAS in check while marketing cremations
đĄ Real reason to sold Lumen Cremation (and what sheâd do again)
Whether youâre looking to streamline online cremation services, improve your funeral planning software, or explore innovative funeral home ideas, this oneâs a must-watch. đ
Learn how top-performing funeral homes are using cremation software to grow smarterânot just bigger! đĄ
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
The funeral industry continues to evolve, and artificial intelligence (AI) is driving much of this transformation. In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, CEO Tyler Yamasaki spoke with tech expert Will Chang about how AI is changing funeral home software, cremation software, and online funeral arrangements. Their discussion explored practical ways AI enhances efficiency, improves customer experience, and strengthens marketing cremations.
What youâll learn:
â
How AI can write obituaries in seconds (and make them personal!)
â
The secret to using ChatGPT for funeral home marketing & websites
â
How AI-generated funeral home images can enhance your branding
â
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.
đ Donât miss outâwatch now!
đ Like & Subscribe for more insider funeral tech tips!
đ 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
What if your final farewell could help the planet thrive? đ
In this episode, we sit down with Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, to explore how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)âalso known as human compostingâredefines death care.
Micah shares:
âď¸ How NOR turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil in just two months
âď¸ The emotional and environmental impact of this groundbreaking process
âď¸ Stories of families creating meaningful tributes with NOR
âď¸ 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. đĽ
đ Donât forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insights on the future of death care! đď¸
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
What does soup ladle, windy ash-scattering, and funeral home management software have in common? đĽđ¨
Theyâre all part of this canât-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:
â
The right tools for meaningful cremation arrangements (no more ladle moments!).
â
Strategies to optimize your funeral arrangement software and online stores.
â
How to price urns and keepsakes to compete with Amazon, Etsy, and more.
â
Why Gen Z and Millennials value eco-friendly and discreet cremation merchandise
â
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 youâre 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.
đ§ 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
Douglas Klein, the founder of Chicagoland Cremation Options, transformed a career setback into an opportunity to build one of the most innovative cremation brands in the industry.
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
In todayâs digital world, a strong online presence is essential for any businessâespecially for funeral homes, where families often search for services during critical times. In the most recent Direct Cremation Podcast episode, Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, discussed Googleâs Local Service Ads with co-founder Albert Chang. They explain how Local Service Ads can help funeral homes capture leads and reach local families more effectively. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone managing a funeral home, cremation website, or cemetery.
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
In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki sits down with Christopher Teel, a first-generation funeral director who has built multiple thriving businesses in death care. Discover how Teel went from pursuing law to owning multiple funeral brands, including a high-volume cremation service and a traditional funeral home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
đĽ Listen in as we explore:
⢠Teelâs 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 itâs 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 wonât want to miss! Donât 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) Christoperâs 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
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Smith, a third-generation funeral director and the visionary behind Smith Family Funeral Homes and Arkansas Cremation. Jeffâs journey is nothing short of remarkableâhe has more than 10Xâd his familyâs business in Central Arkansas, built both traditional and cremation-focused funeral homes, and created a small death care empire.
With 10 years of NFDAâs Pursuit of Excellence awards, his company is set to be inducted into the NFDAâs âHall of Excellenceâ 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 wonât 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
Want a forecast of your service area or audit of your current Google Campaign? Get it here: https://partingpro.com/marketing-services
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.
Itâs not just about following the basics or letting Google handle everythingâthere are seasoned competitors out there who will grab the attention of your families if your marketing isnât on point.
Letâs 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 âWrongâ 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 / âWrongâ 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
From humble beginnings in the death care industry nearly 30 years ago, Troy Kaltenberg's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting at Service Corporation International, he cut his teeth in the world of pre-need sales. Fast forward to today, and Troy has built a thriving cremation brand, Grand Rapids Cremation Services, serving thousands of families and earning rave reviews along the way.
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 wonât 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
Barbara is back, baby! đ
In this episode, weâre 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. đ
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%. đđĽ
This is THE episode you donât want to miss! Hit play and join us for an engaging and informative discussion with one of the industryâs top experts. đđ
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
With three decades of experience, Scott Newton is a seasoned veteran in the death care industry. As President and founding member of Graystone Associates, Scott and his team have been helping funeral homes thrive for over 20 years. After assisting hundreds of funeral homes, Scott reveals the key strategies and metrics essential for growing market share.
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 expertâwatch 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
Running four different locations is challenging. Maintaining a 5.0-star rating on Google for all of them? Almost impossible. But Julie Bishop of Crevasseâs Simple Cremation does it with finesse.
In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover Julieâs 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
In this episode, weâre honored to welcome Robert Hunsaker, a true legend in the death care industry. From his childhood days living in a funeral home with his funeral director father, to working in cemetery groundskeeping, and climbing the ranks at Batesville, Great Western Insurance Company, and Sinosource, Robert's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Heâs owned funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses, and now serves as the president of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).
But itâs 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 canât 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
Boost your contract totals! Caroline Andree, Head of Merchandising at Parting Pro, reveals the most popular merchandise chosen by families based on exclusive data from thousands of online arrangements at Parting Pro. Learn what's selling and how to tailor your recommendations to maximize your contract totals and provide the most value for families.
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
At the helm of a successful funeral home, a new cemetery, and a growing online cremation service, Bryce Bunker exemplifies a family-focused, service-centric approach that has propelled him to success in competitive corners of death care.
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
Jimmy Altmeyer is as impressive as they come. As a fourth-generation funeral director, he started with 3 funeral homes and has grown his empire into 53 rooftops and serves over 12,000 families each year. While that accomplishment alone is impressive, when you hear how Jimmy talks about the profession and the level of service that he strives to provide to every family that his companies serve, thatâs where he really shines.
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 wonât 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
In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, reveal the unexpected challenges behind creating the ideal online cremation service. While it seems straightforward with its streamlined offerings and minimal overhead, there's much more beneath the surface. Uncover the five crucial elements that are essential for success in this unique business. Watch to learn what really makes an online cremation company thrive beyond the basics.
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
From answering the phone wrong to nickel and diming your families all the way to the bank, in this episodes of the Direct Cremation Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that will absolutely kill your cremation brand.
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
The stressful environment of the death care professional can be non-stop. Burnout rates are high, and turnover seems to be an ever-present issue withing the funeral profession. In this episode, Will de Michaelis shares his insightful journey into the world of breathwork and meditation.
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
With over 80% of new graduates of mortuary school being female, the need for a death care group centered around empowering women is becoming increasingly vital. Founded by some of the more influential women in death care, the Death Care Collective is just getting started.
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 exclusive webinar, co-hosts Tyler Yamasaki and Will de Michaelis sit down with Poul Lemasters, a renowned death care lawyer and key advisor to the FTCâs changes, to speak about the upcoming changes.
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
Sandra Walker boasts an impressive career in the death care industry. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Fairmount Memorial Association, overseeing seven memorial parks and a few cremation brands. Additionally, she holds a position on the board of the Cremation Association of North America and is a founding member of the Death Care Collective. This remarkable journey follows nearly two decades of dedication at SCI.
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
Scaling a funeral home to serve more than 1,000 families annually demands competent execution and a well-devised business strategy. But to ramp that up to over 4,500 families in a single year requires phenomenal execution, a stellar team, and near-flawless operational efficiency.
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
Funeral home competition is becoming increasingly intense due to a combination of factors, such as the lack of future generations wanting to continue the family business and increased investment in the field.
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
Maggie McMillan quietly runs the #1 funeral company in Southern California, one largest and busiest regions in the country. Serving thousands of families a year. Her expansive funeral empire covers everything from prestigious full-service funeral homes, an eco-conscious natural burial cemetery, a handful of online cremation services, and an essential B2B mortuary services company.
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 isnât 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
I want to show you how to let AI help you write email correspondence with your customers. Itâs no shock that we write a lot of emails back and forth to our customers everyday. Letâs experiment with ChatGPT to see how it can help respond to a normal customer email.
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
Now, while AI has some limitations, it also provides tremendous opportunities to save time and outsource things weâre not good at. In todayâs video, we will share how to use ChatGPT to respond to google reviews.
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
Todayâs guest is Jimmy Lucas. Jimmy is a licensed funeral director, a certified crematory operator, a licensed advance funeral planner, licensed social worker, co-owner of a quaint funeral and cremation business which consists of over 15 funeral homes, 1 online cremation business, 2 crematories. He has over 110 employees and they serve over 3100 families per year. Heâs also currently on the board of CANA, past president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, and also serves on the advisory board of the Passare.
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
Todayâs guest is Alexandra Jo. Alexandra is the host of the death positive Podcast, Death Curious, is a platform for death exploration and a community of like-minded, death positive people. They are also the Director of Outreach and Education of Parting Stone, the company responsible for creating solidified cremated remains â most famously known for their Shark Tank fame.
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) âThere's no need to have a sense of competitionâ
(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
Hi and welcome to the Direct Cremation podcast. Iâm your host, Will de Michaelis, death care consultant and former manager of the Omega Society, a large cremation brand that served over 4500 families per year.
Youâll notice today, Iâm by myself. Iâm 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
Hi and welcome to the Direct Cremation podcast. Iâm your host, Will de Michaelis, death care consultant and former manager of the Omega Society, a large cremation brand that served over 4500 families per year.
Youâll notice today, Iâm by myself. Iâm 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
In this episode, we bring on Chris Boggs. Chris Boggs is the Chief Operating Officer of the Cremation Society of Maryland, McNabb Funeral Home, Metro Crematory, and Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home.
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) âWe only have one shotâ
(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 de Michaelis is the former manager of the Omega Society, a cremation brand that serves over 4,500 families per year. After spending over a decade growing the Omega Society, Will was able to identify some of the most important elements that made the Omega Society such a huge success. Today, Will is going to share that insight with us and let us know what heâs been working on.
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
Today's repeat guest is Welton Hong. Arguably one of the smartest and nicest people in death care, Welton came to share what he is seeing in death care marketing in 2023. As we venture into the second half of 2023, what are the biggest things you need to be doing as a funeral home owner to win more cases.
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
Today's guest is Kevin Waterston. If you could dream up a list of professional death care accomplishments, Kevin has probably exceeded that list.
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, heâs 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
In today's episode, we're putting Tyler in the hot seat to explore the story behind Parting Pro.Â
TimestampsÂ
(00:00) IntroÂ
(00:54) Welcome to Direct Cremation PodcastÂ
(02:38) The origin of Parting ProÂ
(07:57) Getting into a program in silicon valleyÂ
(11:04) What were the conversations like during the pivotÂ
(14:02) Parting Pro's first big saleÂ
(17:45) Death care moves really slowÂ
(21:07) Parting Pro now vs. 5 years agoÂ
(22:57) Funeral homes know what their problem isÂ
(24:26) Will's hot seat questionÂ
(26:15) The mission of Parting ProÂ
(29:26) What does the future hold for Parting Pro?Â
(33:16) How Parting Pro helped Omega Society during covidÂ
(34:17) Covid being a catalyst for everyone to embrace technologyÂ
(36:14) What's next in the death care spaceÂ
(37:53) Tyler's take on what death care looks like in 10 yearsÂ
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 this episode, we discuss the important topic of removals in the death care industry. Whether you're a new funeral home or an established cremation brand, deciding whether to handle removals internally or outsource them is a critical consideration. We explore the pros and cons of both approaches and provide practical advice for making the best decision based on your business needs. Join us as we navigate this crucial aspect of the industry and offer valuable insights to help you streamline your operations.
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
Todayâs guest is Leili McMurrough. Leili is a licensed funeral director and licensed attorney in Illinois. Sheâs also the Program Director AND OWNER of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and an expert on the Gen-Z workforce in the industry. Leili sits on the American Board of Funeral Service Education as the Accreditation Chair, overseeing all the Mortuary Science programs across the country. Weâre happy to have her on the podcast to discuss the changing workforce in deathcare and what you should consider when hiring, managing, and retaining young professionals in the death care industry.
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
Today's guest is Pierce Dempsey. As the VP of Operations and Marketing of Leaf Cremation, Pierce has helped the business gather over 900 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. Pierce is a 4th generation funeral service provider. And his family business has created quite the funeral service empire in the North Georgia and Central Ohio areas.
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
Besides cremation, nothing lasts forever. The funeral rule is no exception, every 10 years the FTC has to re-evaluate every rule they have. In the past few years the FTC is looking to make a major overhaul to the funeral rule.
In todayâs episode, we have Poul Lemasters, death care lawyer to the stars, to update us on all the changes up for evaluation, where weâre 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) - Whatâs 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
Tyler and Will just got back from the 2023 Cremation Association of North America Symposium in fabulous Las Vegas. Where The Direct Cremation Podcast gave a talk: Efficiency or Die. Today, weâll debrief you on our experience.Â
TimestampsÂ
(00:00) - IntroÂ
(00:45) - Will's first death care conferenceÂ
(04:06) - Our talk: Efficiency or DieÂ
(06:53) - Marketing efficiencyÂ
(17:02) - Sales efficiencyÂ
(25:06) - Operational efficiencyÂ
(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 Johnson is President and CEO of Johnson Consulting Group, the funeral professionâs premiere funeral home and cemetery broker and consulting firm.
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, âStaying Alive in the Funeral & Cemetery Profession.â 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 Wiedeman is the First Call Faciliator of Dead Ringers. Dead Ringers is the death careâs premiere mystery shop provider. Since its founding in 2015, they've placed 8,500 calls throughout the US and Canada. Dead Ringers specializes in systematically helping individual funeral homes improve their phone etiquette. Theyâve mastered the art of customer service and help funeral home teams level-up and serve families better.
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. Sheâs 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
Will de Michaelis grew Omega Society to one of the largest cremation brands in the world with over 4,500 cases a year. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Will to learn how he leveraged strong relationships with hospices to grow. Will walks through his hospice playbook for funeral directors to make their own.
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
Barbara Kemmis is the Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America. Barbara gives us a sneak preview of CANA's latest Cremation Memorialization Research - Attitudes Towards Cremated Remains in Households. Weâll go through interesting data regarding COVID, death rates, and baby boomers. By the end of this, youâll either have a new understanding of the cremation family, or youâll have statistical proof to validate your feelings about them.
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
Larry Stuart Jr. is the founder of Raven Plume Consulting. Larry has spent the last 26 years immersed in cremations. From understanding how to run and operate the crematory all the way to marketing to and arranging with the family, he is an expert when it comes to running an effective cremation company.
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
Mandy Benoualid is the Founder and President of Keeper Memorials, an online memorial platform dedicated to memorializing the lives of the departed. She is the Editor of TalkDeath, a death-positive media company whose mission is to encourage positive and constructive conversations around death and dying. Mandy is also on the board of the International Memorialization Supply Association, the Ernest Becker Foundation, and Board Member of the Speaking Grief Documentary by WPSU.
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
David Perfito is the founder of White Rose Aqua Cremation and was instrumental in developing Californiaâs first alkaline hydrolysis facility. He is a technical school graduate of the U.S. Navy, a multi-certified medical equipment industry technician, and a crematory manager. He is pioneering the gentle water cremation movement.
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
In an industry concentrating heavily on cremation and burial, Death Doula LA is a shining light for those who are looking for a more personalized end-of-life experience.
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 doesnât?
- 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 clientâs 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.
Kevin McKay is the manager of Cremation Recycling. He has quickly become the face of transparency of precious metal recycling in death care. In this episode we learn why transparency could save you from losing a LOT of money.
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.
Ryan Thogmartin knows how to make noise. No matter how you feel about him, the point is you (think) you know him. In this episode we learn about Ryan's background and see where he came from and how he's grown to where he is today.
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.
Hey Funeral Directors! Just as the family needs are changing, so must the way we do business. In this episode, Tyler quizzes Will on some of the most surprising data points from over 150,000 online arrangements. Will you get them right?
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
Donna Baranyay has a long career in all things end of life. Even though she has been a hospice chaplain for 14 years, she is also a death doula and has her celebrant certification and a certificate in thanatology. If there's anyone who has the answers around dying, she's your person.
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.
Garrett Ozar has a story that is nothing less than extraordinary. From pitching his company, Eterneva, on Shark Tank and securing an investment from Billionaire Mark Cuban, to playing college baseball, or to having to watch his survivor daughter battle cancer, Garrett's journey is quite remarkable.
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
Poul Lemasters wears many, many hats. He's a death care lawyer, a funeral director, entrepreneur, and a published author. In his book, Cover Your Ass: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Business, Poul details the not-so-obvious situations that happen in your business that you should watch out for.
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.
Drew de Michaelis had a short, yet impactful stint in death care. With a background in customer experience and management at Harry's, a mission-driven consumer brand, Drew de Michaelis was brought in as the Director of Growth and Operations at The Omega Society. He helped turn the massive cremation brand into a technology-driven business that was able to serve over 4,500 families per year during COVID.
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.
Contact us:
Tyler: tyler@directcremation.com
Will: will@directcremation.com
If you'd like to reach out to Drew, you can find him on his LinkedIn
Barbara Kemmis is the Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America. This year, CANA will be holding the 104th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention, August 17-19 at the Omni Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta Georgia. She can't wait to see you all there with her big hair, sharp glasses, and amazing lineup of speakers.
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
Welton Hong is one of the most well-respected people in death care. As the CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, Welton Hong has made the unlikely journey of becoming one of the best to help funeral homes successfully market their services to families. His customers sing their praises and attribute a lot of their marketing success to his company.
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?
Glenda Stansbury has an impressive resume: certified celebrant trainer, licensed embalmer and funeral director, VP of marketing & development at Insight Books, Dean of College of 21st Century Services at ICCFAU, Adjust Professor at two different colleges, and the winner of this year's ICCFA Lasting Impact Award.
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?
Scott Ginsberg and Joshua Siegel started Titan Casket only a few years ago. Since then, theyâve seen huge growth selling high-quality, affordable caskets directly to families. Being able to create and deliver customer caskets to a funeral home in only a few days puts Titan Casket in a class of its own. Started by a seasoned casket manufacturer and an Amazon alumni, Titan Casket gets a lot of things right.
In this episode we discuss:
- How did Titan Casket start?
- Is selling direct-to-consumer anti-funeral home?
- What is the craziest custom casket theyâve 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 us at:
Tyler Yamasaki: tyler@directcremation.com
Will de Michaelis: will@directcremation.com
Eric Neuhaus has grown his funeral home, Green Cremation Texas, to be able to serve thousands of families in only 3 short years. Green Cremation Texas touts itself as the most environmentally friendly cremation process possible, while keeping an affordable price, and amassing over 300 5-star reviews on all the social media platforms.
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 us at:
Tyler Yamasaki: tyler@directcremation.com
Will de Michaelis: will@directcremation.com
Ashley Jones started as an apprentice but grew to managing almost half of 60-person Cascade Funeral Directors, the massive operation averaging over 5,000 cases per year.
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 us at:
Tyler Yamasaki: tyler@directcremation.com
Will de Michaelis: will@directcremation.com
In death care, few individuals will experience what Will de Michaelis has achieved. From growing and managing one of the largest cremation brands in the world (3,000 cremations/year), to thriving and keeping his sanity during COVID-19, to helping Omega Society through an 8-figure acquisition by Foundation Partners, Will is an expert at operating a low-cost cremation brand.
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 us at:
Tyler Yamasaki: tyler@directcremation.com
Will de Michaelis: will@directcremation.com