Two Guys and A Question

Are families choosing simple cremation because they don't care, or because the funeral industry failed to show them why a service matters?

In this episode Alan and Danny break down one of the biggest challenges facing modern funeral directors. Moving away from pitch-heavy sales scripts and FTC price list lectures, Alan and Danny discuss how to start with the personal—asking provocative, meaningful questions that help grieving families self-discover how they truly want to honor their loved ones.

Tune in for practical insights on changing your approach from selling services to collaborative listening.

#FuneralService #FuneralDirector #Deathcare #CreationsAndMemorials #AskingBetterQuestions #FamilyDecisions

What happens to your business if you suddenly become incapacitated or pass away? In this episode, Alan Creedy and Danny Jefferson discuss the critical need for a comprehensive continuity plan. Alan reveals a massive blind spot in most traditional succession strategies—digital assets, passwords, and online case management systems.

Hear real-world stories about the complications that families and staff face when an owner leaves no instructions, and learn how to safeguard your life's work. Alan also shares his personal strategy for securely storing master passwords and outlines how you can protect your legacy.

Download your free Continuity Plan template and digital addendum here: https://www.jandcadvisors.com

#FuneralHome #BusinessContinuity #SuccessionPlanning #FuneralDirector #SmallBusiness #DigitalEstate #Podcast

What should a funeral home do when families start asking about estates and probate? In this episode, Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy tackle the logistics of estate planning from a funeral home perspective.

Discover safe, compassionate ways to guide families toward trusted professionals without crossing the line into legal advice. The guys break down real problem-solving tools, from using Embedded Family Resources to hosting powerful community education seminars like “26 Documents You’re Going to Need on the Worst Day of Your Life.”

At the heart of it all is a simple truth: families never forget how well they were heard, helped, and cared for. Learn how strong listening and relationship skills can truly set your firm apart.

Remember, you can do it, and we can help!

#FuneralService #EstatePlanning #FuneralDirector #ProbateSupport #CommunityEducation #DeathcareLogistics #Podcast

What happens when a real funeral director’s life story gets turned into a feature film starring Kevin Sorbo? Hosts Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy sit down to discuss the incredible journey of Danny's book, From Hear to Forever, as it transitions to the big screen in the new movie Another Life.

But this isn't just a behind-the-scenes Hollywood promo. This episode pulls back the curtain on the heavy, unseen side of the profession that the film bravely puts on display. Alan and Danny open up about the cumulative stress, the grueling hours, and the silent reality of funeral director burnout and PTSD that the movie brings to light.

It is time to look at the industry through a different lens. Discover how the Another Life movie breaks traditional stereotypes by portraying funeral professionals as normal, feeling human beings, and why the film's message makes it finally okay to admit, "It's okay to feel."

In this episode:

• From Page to Screen: How a book written by a funeral director caught the attention of a FedEx pioneer, eventually becoming the feature film Another Life.

• Fighting the Stereotype: Why this movie breaks the mold by showing a funeral director as a normal person navigating everyday life.

• The Weight of the Profession: An honest look at the film's portrayal of cumulative stress, trauma, and why PTSD in funeral service is rarely discussed.

• The Power of Longevity: Why persistence, humility, and watching a reflection of your own life on screen can inspire professionals to open up to one another.

#AnotherLifeMovie #FuneralDirector #FromHearToForever #TwoGuysAndAQuestion #BehindTheScenes #FuneralService #MentalHealthMatters #ItsOkayToFeel

In this episode of Two Guys and a Question, Alan and Danny confront a critical blind spot in modern deathcare management: treating pricing as a variable guess instead of a foundational strategy. Using real-world case studies, they break down why chasing the low-cost cremation market often leads to financial ruin, and why volume alone will never salvage a flawed business model. This raw conversation challenges conventional industry norms and delivers a disciplined blueprint for building long-term operational sustainability.

Make sure to subscribe to receive email notifications when our latest strategic insights drop!

#FuneralHomeStrategy #FuneralDirector #Deathcare #FuneralPricing #CremationBusiness #FuneralIndustry #BusinessStrategy

Think buying a cemetery is the perfect, natural expansion for your funeral home? Think again.

In this episode of Two Guys and a Question, Alan Creedy and Danny Jefferson dive into why merging these two worlds is often a recipe for strategic heartbreak. While they might share the same target market, funeral homes and cemeteries operate on completely opposite business models.

Alan and Danny break down the brutal realities of cash flow, operations, and long-term planning. You'll learn why funeral homes run on a reactive retail model, while cemeteries demand an aggressive, proactive real estate and sales mindset just to survive.

Packed with real-world examples, this episode is a vital reality check for any funeral director looking to expand. Tune in to discover the management discipline required to succeed, and why strategy matters far more than you think.

Don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Remember: "You can do it, and we can help!"

#FuneralHomeOperations #CemeteryBusinessStrategy #FuneralBusiness #CemeteryManagementChallenges #LongTermInvestment #PreNeed #FuneralHomesBuyingCemeteries #DeathcareIndustry #BusinessStrategy

Alan and Danny are back to unpack how artificial intelligence can become a valuable thinking partner in funeral service, especially when it comes to pricing, strategy, and clearer decision-making. In this episode, they explore how AI works best—not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a tool that strengthens thinking, sharpens strategy, and helps funeral home leaders ask better questions.

Using examples from funeral service consulting and pricing analysis, they explain how better prompts lead to better results. You will learn how AI can uncover hidden pricing strategies and why the presentation of your General Price List (GPL) matters just as much as the numbers on the page.

Whether you want to improve your business clarity, analyze competitor price lists, or better understand the subtle signals your pricing structure sends to families, this conversation offers practical insights for modern funeral professionals.

What we discuss in this episode:

• Why AI is best utilized as an ongoing dialogue and sounding board rather than a shortcut.

• How the quality of the questions you ask directly dictates the value of the answers you receive.

• A real-world example of using AI to compare competitor General Price Lists and packages.

• The psychological impact of lengthy price lists and how presentation communicates value or triggers suspicion.

Don't miss out on future insights to help grow your business. Subscribe today for weekly podcast alerts sent straight to your inbox so you never miss a new episode!

#FuneralService #AIinBusiness #FuneralHomePricing #BusinessStrategy #PodcastForProfessionals

What if the difference between a forgettable funeral home and a legendary family experience is nothing more than toilet paper, bottled water, and a full-length mirror? In this episode, Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy explore how many firms obsess over counting ink pens and cases of water while missing the radical hospitality that actually builds loyalty, trust, and market distinction.

The discussion challenges the stale habits and passive-aggressive culture that often blocks change in funeral service. You’ll hear real stories of firms using "happy surprises"—like apples at the door, a red British phone booth, local church artwork, and even an in-house Starbucks—to create unforgettable, low-cost differentiation. Learn why meaningful differentiation doesn’t always cost more, but does require intentional thought, care, and accountability.

Key Highlights:

• Why "immaterial" costs under 5% of revenue are actually your strongest marketing tools.
• The importance of organizing processes so every team member knows the timing and standards for every guest interaction.
• How to use decor and amenities to move away from a sterile environment and toward a culture of hospitality.
• Practical steps to walk through your building like a guest and identify one low-cost improvement to make this week.

#FuneralService #RadicalHospitality #FuneralHomeMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #FuneralDirector #LeadershipDevelopment #ServiceExcellence #HospitalityStrategy

If the thought has ever crossed your mind, “I want to start my own funeral home, but where do I even begin?” this episode tackles that question head-on. Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy break down the high-risk nature of launching a new firm and the critical "stop and think" moment every entrepreneur needs before diving in.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Reality Check: Assessing local competition and identifying a niche that isn’t being served.

• Startup Capital: Why you may need between $150,000 and $200,000 in liquid capital to survive the first few years of "burning money".

• Facilities & Innovation: Why renting a storefront or converting an old bank building into an event center is often smarter and more flexible than building a traditional $5,000+ sq. ft. mortuary.

• Marketing & Reputation: The "sweat equity" strategy for building a brand from scratch when you don't have an advertising budget.

Whether you are looking at small-town markets or mid-sized cities, this conversation offers a realistic and encouraging look at what it takes to build a smarter path forward in funeral service.

Remember: You can do it, and we can help!

#FuneralService #Deathcare #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #FuneralHomeStartup #TwoGuysAndAQuestion #BusinessStrategy #NewMortuary #JAndCAdvisors

What if the real issue with your cremation mix is not price, but the questions you are—or are not—asking families? In this episode of Two Guys and a Question, Danny and Alan tackle the growing trend of high direct cremation percentages and reveal how simple shifts in language and process can transform a basic transaction into a powerful, person-centered experience.

Drawing on real-world examples, including a high-volume cremation operation and the "reflections room" approach, Alan and Danny discuss how to:

• Move from order-taking to guiding families toward more meaningful, healing experiences.

• Use respectful, probing questions that help families self-discover their needs without sales pressure or scripts.

• Humanize the process by shifting language from "ashes" to "mom" and "transaction" to "person."

• Create dignified environments for receiving remains that honor the person and the family’s grief.

This episode challenges the assumption that families only want the minimum and equips funeral professionals to provide care, dignity, and meaning in every interaction.

Ready to grow?For professionals serious about improving service experiences and leadership, the Pathfinders Group offers a focused, invitation-only peer environment. Reach out to Alan or Danny to learn more about joining a community built on growth and shared purpose.

#FuneralService #CremationMix #DeathCare #FuneralDirector #MeaningfulExperiences #TwoGuysAndAQuestion #DirectCremation #FuneralHomeManagement #GriefSupport #PathfindersGroup