Jess Wakefield shares her journey from working night shifts in a nursing home to becoming a funeral director, corporate leader, and innovator at Better Place Forests and EverIs.

In this candid conversation, she reflects on the pros and cons of corporate vs. family-owned funeral homes, the shift toward digital cremation planning, and her vision for a more seamless end-of-life experience that bridges hospice, doulas, funeral care, and grief support.

With insights from her manifesto on reimagining funeral service, Wakefield brings fresh perspective to an industry facing profound cultural and technological change. 

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South Carolina blocks a fraudster's funeral home sale. Industry debates: community cemeteries, service fees, and Amarillo's transport contract.

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Green burials blocked, Texas scandal deepens, Carriage expands, NJ legalizes terramation, Vegas mishandling case, and social media tips for funeral pros.

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A new innovation from Federal Eagle aims to help funeral homes grow revenue and better serve grieving families in the evolving cremation market.

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Starmark plans a major national expansion under new CCO Michael Jewart, boosting service centers and hands-on support to transform funeral industry operations.

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A week of shake-ups: canceled deals, new programs, shuttered services, legal battles, and scandal shaking the funeral service world.

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Matt Van Drimmelen will present “Getting ROI Out of Aftercare at Your Funeral Home: Turning Compassion into Long-Term Value” at the Kates-Boylston Advances in Funeral Innovations Conference Nov. 12 in Detroit. Visit www.events.kates-boylston.com for more details. 

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Scott Jensen breaks down how funeral homes can harness AI and SEO shifts to boost visibility, streamline marketing, and better serve families.

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Alanna Navin details her experience at ICCFA University, from cemetery management courses to lessons she applies in her role at Restland Funeral Home.

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