In this week’s episode, we have Tukios’ acquisition of Batesville’s website business, Tribute Tech’s partnership with Chptr, a new mobile and desktop software platform from Inman, Matthews International announces a succession, and Illinois’ passes a cemetery bill.

Meanwhile, controversy continues in Texas, a strange, unfortunate lawsuit is filed in Vermont, and Tony Russo unboxes a care package from Life Forest. 

Vice President of Sales Optimization Homesteaders Life Company, Cole Waybright discusses the importance of a strategic approach to tech adoption. Discover his insights on avoiding common pitfalls, improving productivity by up to 25%, and reducing errors by 50% with an integrated system. Learn how to ask the right questions before your next technology purchase to ensure a seamless and efficient workflow.

Click here for more information and to register.

Michaelene Dowers is a licensed funeral director working remotely across more than a dozen states. She earned her license in California in 2014 but left shortly after due to low wages and a high cost of living. After moving across the Midwest and working in multiple states, she began contracting with online cremation providers and built a career around flexible, remote work.

Click here for complete show notes.

This week’s episode covers Carriage’s evolving strategy under CEO Carlos Quesada, the sale of Shepherd Memorial Park is on hold, and a funeral home loses its license over storage concerns. Plus, the Texas Funeral Service Commission sues and unsues its lawyers, Tribute Technologies reports strong financial performance and more.

Click here for complete show notes.

Arron Butler of Domani Preneed discusses how funeral professionals can use authentic online engagement and AI-powered strategies to build trust, grow personal brands, and connect with modern families.

Click here for complete show notes.

Aaron will be a speaker at the Kates-Boylston 2025 Marketing Summit. Click here to register. 

In this episode, we look at SCI's new building strategy, Matthews International's memorialization beat, and Carriage's big acquisition plans. Also covered are the "secret" sale of Foundation Partners, a Reddit post about transgender funeral directors, and a political attack ad against a Texas Funeral Commission member.

Click here for show notes.

In this episode, Scott Ginsberg and Josh Siegel share the origin story of Titan’s direct-to-consumer model, and how a few listings on Amazon evolved into a national brand. From partnering with celebrities for the “Grave Conversations” web series to launching a casket mascot Ginsberg and Siegel explain how creativity and empathy go hand in hand when modernizing a historically change-resistant industry.

SCI earnings, SAFPA’s first female president, a Texas scandal deepens, cemetery controversy, and more in this week’s funeral industry news roundup.

Click here for complete show notes.

This week’s episode features a story about how a Montclair, NJ, a funeral home narrowly avoided being rezoned for future affordable housing, sparking community outcry and raising concerns about how cities value longstanding funeral businesses. In Texas, ongoing turmoil at the Funeral Service Commission including the dismissal of its executive director and a troubling case involving unclaimed remains highlights systemic regulatory failures. Commentary from a local mortuary school leader (minute 38 on the link) underscores staffing shortfalls and public trust issues. A Pennsylvania funeral home attempts to collect on a \$3,200 unpaid funeral bill, prompting discussion around best practices for debt collection. The episode closes with details on newly expanded VA burial benefits available through Oct. 1, 2026, offering more support to veterans opting for end-of-life care at home. Host Tony Russo invites feedback from funeral professionals on collections, regulation, and community relations.

Click here for complete show notes.

Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez, President of the National Museum of Funeral History, shares her path from Army medic to museum leader. Through immersive exhibits and rare artifacts like the Shroud of Turin replica, she’s transforming public understanding of death and the funeral profession.

Click here for complete show notes.