Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast

At Kates-Boylston's Dec. 10 HR & Leadership Forum, we will explore strategies for funeral professionals to retain top talent and enhance preneed programs.In this bonus epiusode, we speak with Wanda Sizemore, onboarding specialist at Envision Strategic Partners, about how she built her career as a preneed sales expert and her goals for the upcoming talk. 

You can register for the Dec. 10 here.

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, we cover key industry developments including a preview of Matthews International's earnings, the impact of funeral home consolidations, and the looming Federal Trade Commission rule changes.

We also explore unique stories like a Japanese coffin café and delve into the challenges facing a Pennsylvania funeral home company as they navigate financial difficulties.

Join us as we unravel these stories and more, offering insights and commentary on the death care industry. Whether you're a funeral director, cemeterian, mortuary professional, or simply interested in the evolving landscape of funeral service, this episode has something for you. 

Holiday subscription special.

Matthews Earnings Preview

FTC Report

Coffin Cafe

Monument Company Fiasco

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cemetery & Cremation, speaks with Domenic Antinucci, a program manager at Brownyard Group, about the specialized insurance needs cemeteries and crematories contend with. Antinucci also discusses how personal experiences and an unlikely career path enriched his appreciation for death care.

On Specialized Insurance for the Funeral Industry: "We launched this in 2017 because ... there was not a carrier that specialized in 10 to 15 lines of coverage in just cemetery, crematory, and funeral home risks nationally."

On Mishandling During COVID: "COVID brought to light a lot that could go wrong in a cemetery that is overwhelmed or not ready to manage the unfortunate amount of deaths that occurred in that amount of time."

On Managing Cemetery Hazards: "However they are managing their cemetery or their daily duties for their staff (it is important) that their staff keep an eye out for any potential hazards –whether it be a divot in the grass or a sinking of the grass from a recent burial – and to mark it with a marker.”

On Cemetery Safety Concerns: "I would suggest as much as possible, depending on their budget and availability, install as many security cameras as possible because we all know there could be some bad actors out there."

Be sure to click here to listen and then subscribe to get show notifications. Also, check out our “In Case You Missed It” video series.

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest funeral service happenings and trends. Here's what we have on deck this week.

New Jersey License Changes

CANA Announces Dues Increase

Barbara Kemmis Podcast

Green Burials Return to Billings

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week.

Special Holiday Subscription Prices

Both SCI and Carriage plan big 2025 acquisitions.

Post-Cremation Memorialization Mixup

Cemetery Association Names Board and Officers

A Different Call to Serve the Dead

Kates-Boylston hosts the Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston. Over two days, attendees will hear about some emerging trends and best practices for running their operations. In what follows, we speak with Darren Crouch, president and CEO of Passages International Inc.

Click here for complete show notes.

This Week on FSI: The Podcast 

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Jennifer Lares, a “Mortuary Mary Poppins” who brings training (and continuing education units) on-site for funeral homes. We also explore how social media can responsibly showcase professionalism while evolving consumer needs demand personalized service over traditional offerings.  

Click here for complete show notes.

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week.

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week:

Holiday subscription special.

SCI Earnings

Carriage Earnings

Manitoba Cemetery

Georgia Body Case

Tribute Technologies

Barcley Cadet discusses his upcoming presentation of "The Evolution of Talent Recruitment," at the upcoming Kates-Boylston Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston, Texas. In this bonus episode, he speaks about internal versus external recruitment teams and the changing landscape of recruiting for funeral service. 

Titan Casket Introduces “Mort” the Plushie Casket

Unclaimed Remains-Related stories:

More Than Just Unclaimed Remains

Moving Day at the Mausoleum

Unclaimed Remains Get a Catholic Disposition in New Hampshire

M&A

SCI Scoops up Failing Restaurant Property

Gray Mortuary Merges with McAfee 

Industry News

1Director Wins 2024 NFDA Innovation Award