Bill McReavy, Jr. joins the podcast to talk about going from zero preneed sales to a program that’s thriving. Spoiler: marketing had a lot to do with it.

In this episode, the guys dive into how preneed serves families when they need it most and tackle the big question: Is the ROI really worth it?

Tune in for insights and a few ideas you might want to steal for your own preneed program.

About Bill McReavy, Jr.:

Bill McReavy, Jr., CEO of Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries, and Cremation Services, is part of the fourth generation of his family to join the business. Bill has helped guide Washburn-McReavy as it has grown and modernized, expanding to more locations across the Twin Cities while staying focused on caring for families in a personal, compassionate way.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

The Graveyard Shift goes live in Minnesota! And yes, there's an audience. 😆

The guys dig into the kind of funeral home scenarios you can’t exactly Google your way out of. Expect hard-earned lessons, unforgettable stories, and a look at what keeps them going in a profession that’s challenging but rewarding.

Plus, a brand new segment called “Are you smarter than Jimmy?” is reason enough to tune in.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

Put on your tin foil hat - the crew has bold takes on what’s next in funeral service.

From robots in prep rooms and shifts in business models to changing regulations and the rise of new technology like holograms, the guys cover it all.

Some of it’s far out. Some of it is already happening. Either way, the future is coming fast.

Tune in for a fun, thought-provoking conversation and a few ideas on how to harness what’s next in funeral service.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

What happens when one of the most trusted voices in funeral service joins the crew?

Tom Anderson shares his journey in the profession and the inspiration behind starting a daily publication.

The guys cover everything from economic realities and permanent memorialization options to changing family expectations.

Expect a few hard truths, some hot takes, and plenty of reasons to be excited about where funeral service is headed next.

About Tom Anderson:

Tom Anderson is the CEO and Editor of Funeral Director Daily, a widely read news source dedicated to straightforward reporting on the funeral care profession. Drawing on more than 35 years as a successful funeral director, Tom provides clear, practical insights into the business of death care. Read more at https://funeraldirectordaily.com/.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

What actually drives website performance? And can AI really help you improve efficiency at work and at home?

Curtis Funk, CEO of Tukios and funeral home website guru, joins the newest episode of the podcast to answer all of these questions.

Plus, the guys share how they experiment with AI in their own operations and make a few bold predictions about the future of technology in funeral service.

Flying cars? Maybe closer than you think (or at least, self-driving cars).

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

Change is constant, so why is it so difficult?

The guys cover everything under the sun when it comes to change management. They share real insights on leading teams through major shifts, navigating pushback, getting staff buy-in, and keeping the right mindset along the way.

Plus, they reveal the advice they'd give their younger selves when it comes to handling change.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

Everyone has that one thing they'd do over. This episode is pure “hindsight is 20/20” as the guys share what they’d change about funeral service if they could wave a magic wand.

What if the profession had embraced technology sooner? Could work-life balance have existed earlier? Are polos and khakis ever acceptable at the arrangement conference?

Tune in for honest thoughts, a few ideas to keep the profession moving forward, and maybe a little venting. 😆

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

Inspirational speaker and best-selling author John O’Leary joins the podcast to talk about something we don’t say nearly enough in this profession: make time for yourself.

With humor and heart, John shares how micro‑moments of rest, intentional pauses, and even some well-intentioned “selfishness” can help you be more effective and present with the families who need you.

John’s message to funeral professionals is just as powerful as his own personal story. This is one episode you don’t want to miss.

About John O’Leary:

John is a two-time best-selling author of On Fire and In Awe, host of the award-winning Live Inspired Podcast, and subject of Soul On Fire, a full-length feature film about his life and story of survival. Learn more about John here: https://johnolearyinspires.com.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

Over a year ago, four guys grabbed cocktails in New Orleans and thought, “What the heck, we’ll do a podcast.”

Their goal? Share honest, real conversations about hot topics in funeral service. The result? Glorious, insightful chaos.

To celebrate, the guys rewind the clock to look back at their favorite moments, wildest tangents, and jokes that sent the show off-the-rails (as if it was ever on them). Tune in to relive year one and all the mayhem that came with it.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].

“This may be the best episode we’ve ever done.”

The tables turn in this anything-goes episode. All 4 hosts fire off their most burning, bizarre, and unexpectedly heartfelt questions at each other.

From laugh-out-loud moments to emotional curveballs, this one has range. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it’s deeper than anyone expected.

About the podcast:

The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:

Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group

Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut

Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio

Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas

Have feedback? Share it with us at [email protected].