The Direct Cremation Podcast

A family calls your funeral home, asks about cremation pricing, thanks your team, and says they will call back.

Then they disappear.

We’re kicking off a fresh new month on the Direct Cremation Podcast as our host, Will de Michaelis, explains why this happens so often—and why the problem usually has little to do with price.

Watch the full interview here 🎧 https://youtu.be/3UYOzirBHZ8

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:41) The Call Handling Guide
(00:01:27) The #1 Call-Losing Mistake
(00:02:37) What Call Length Tells You
(00:04:24) Core Principles of Call Handling
(00:05:37) The First 15 Seconds
(00:06:27) The Phone Greeting
(00:06:43) Lead With Empathy
(00:07:29) What Not To Do
(00:07:58) Ways To Express Condolences
(00:09:12) Identifying the Call Type
(00:09:51) Winning the At-Need Call
(00:10:51) Pre-Planning and Price Shoppers
(00:12:17) Filtering Out the Noise
(00:13:53) The Marginal Question
(00:16:20) A Clear Pricing Breakdown
(00:17:37) Securing the Next Step
(00:18:39) Five Ways To Secure It
(00:22:13) Let Them Lead, Then You Lead
(00:24:04) Taking Control of the Call
(00:26:06) Tone, Empathy, Professionalism
(00:27:35) Do's and Don'ts
(00:28:14) The Phone Call Checklist
(00:29:21) Handling Off-Target Calls
(00:30:45) Final Thoughts

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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
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 episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, host Will de Michaelis challenges funeral home owners to rethink phone coverage. His central point is simple: every funeral home operates like a small call center, yet most firms do not staff their phones using call-center data.

Your funeral home may be a small call center—but every call carries far more weight than an ordinary customer-service inquiry.

(00:00:00) Intro

Watch the full interview here 🎧 https://youtu.be/fJA83tpo8bc](https://youtu.be/fJA83tpo8bc

_

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO

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

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. 💡

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO

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 “Referral Factory,” 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 out—check the full episode now! 🎧

Timestamps

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO

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 can’t miss! ☝🏽

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO

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

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO

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. Anderson—fourth-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 Anderson’s 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, Anderson’s journey is a playbook for today’s funeral home owners facing an evolving market.

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Timestamps

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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Timestamps

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

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

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

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

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

Get ready to dive deep on:

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

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

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

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

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

Timestamps

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