Digging Deep

What happens when we begin to see cemeteries as more than a place of remembrance? In episode 38 of Digging Deep, GFD’s president & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Nick McCarthy, Director of Marketing, Communication and Community Outreach at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario, to discuss how cemeteries can become welcoming spaces that bring communities together. Their conversation explore...

Honour. Duty. Care. In episode 37 of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with Allan Cole, Owner and President of MacKinnon & Bowes LTD., about repatriation and military farewells, sharing powerful stories behind these final journeys. A deeply moving conversation. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin...

What does the future of deathcare look like? In episode 36 of Digging Deep, President & CEO of GFD and FSAC Board Member Heather Kiteley connects with Pam Moss, Executive Director of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), to discuss FSAC’s vision and the path forward for the profession. A must-listen for those shaping what comes next. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the la...

The funeral profession is evolving – fast! In episode 35 of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Brett Denning, Owner and Funeral Director of Denning Funeral Homes, to discuss the changing landscape of the funeral sector and what it means for the future. Insightful, relevant, and forward-looking. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode high...

Why do final resting places matter so deeply? In this episode of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Marc Bisson, Managing Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, to discuss the lasting significance of final resting places. Together, they explore how these spaces provide comfort, connection, and a sense of legacy for families navigating...

Legacy is not just what we inherit; it is what we build. In episode 33 of Digging Deep, GFD’s President and CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with the President of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sharon McGarry. They talk about leadership, succession, and shaping the future of funeral service. Sharon’s story is a compelling reminder of how deeply family, legacy, and innovation can inte...

Part Two is Here. In this continuation of our Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) 2025 panel discussion led by GFD’s President and CEO Heather Kiteley, featuring Patrick Curry, Becky Steckly, and Ryan McLane. This episode challenges us to understand Canadians' thought processes and their views on death. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and...

What Canadians think about death and what deathcare professionals assume are not always aligned. In episode 31 of Digging Deep, President and CEO Heather Kiteley hosts a dynamic panel discussion recorded at the 2025 Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) conference. Panellists Patrick Curry, Rebecca Steckly, and Ryan McLane explore the realities behind consumer attitudes toward death and fun...

Is funeral service evolving the same way across Canada? In episode 30 of Digging Deep, President and CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Patrick Curry, President of C.L. Curry Funeral Services Ltd. in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to explore how trends differ between Ontario and Nova Scotia. From cremation to personalization expectations, regional nuances matter. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn fo...

On March 11th, we recognize and celebrate the dedication of funeral professionals across the country on National Funeral Directors Day. To honour this day, we are releasing a special bonus episode of the Digging Deep podcast, featuring our President and CEO, Heather Kiteley, reading a heartfelt “Love Letter” to the sector. This message is a tribute to the compassion, resilience, and unwavering com...

It is time to celebrate the impact of the deathcare sector. In episode 29 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by Bradd Tuck, Executive Director of the British Columbia Funeral Association (BCFA), to discuss the importance of positive perception, advocacy, and professional pride within the sector. This episode shines a light on the meaningful work being done every...

Every community has its own way of honouring life. In episode 28 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by Chris Clements, Owner of Beaverlodge Funeral Service in Beaverlodge, Alberta, to discuss funeral customs and rites of passage in Alberta. This episode highlights how tradition, culture, and community shape meaningful service and why understanding regional perspe...

The future of deathcare does not stop at borders. In episode 27 of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with Jayson Gordon, President of Service Corporation International Canada, about the trends shaping the deathcare sector across North America. From evolving consumer needs to sector-wide transformation, the conversation offers a strategic look at where the sector is head...

Behind every profession is a story worth telling. In episode #26 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by David Root, Alberta Funeral Service Association (AFSA) Past-President and General Manager at Pierson’s Funeral Service in Calgary, Alberta, for an honest and insightful conversation about a life dedicated to funeral service. From leadership and legacy to the dee...

Did you know many Canadians are unaware of the true cost of deathcare? In our latest episode of Digging Deep, host President and CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with guest Daniel Baxter, Owner and Funeral Director of Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel in British Columbia, Canada. They explore findings that reveal surprising gaps in awareness and what professionals can do to educate, empower, and prepare famili...

What separates good preneed planning from great? Strategy, trust, and timing. In this episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with Heather Harper, Preneed Manager and Funeral Director at Serenity Funeral Service in Edmonton, Alberta. They uncover proven strategies that empower professionals to help families feel confident about planning ahead. Tune in for actionabl...

The intersection of compassion and sustainability continues to shape the future of funeral service. In this episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with President, Licensed Funeral Director, and Embalmer at H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Homes and Crematoriums Ltd. in Nova Scotia, Canada, Andrew Huskilson. They dive into the evolving world of preneed. They discuss how pr...

Togetherness and reflection. In this heartfelt episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley explores how families and professionals honour loved ones through meaningful holiday traditions and memorials with Advanced Planning Director, Heather Jackson from James Reid Funeral Home in Kingston, Ontario. Discover stories of remembrance that bring comfort, connection, and community...

What does it mean to embrace natural resting? In this episode, Heather Kiteley , President & CEO of GFD, speaks with Lorraine Fracy , Manager of Client Services and Administrative Operations at Royal Oak Burial Park. They discuss the growing movement toward green burials, the values behind it, and how families are making more environmentally conscious choices in end-of-life planning. Stay conn...

How have deathcare traditions and trends evolved over the decades? In this episode, Heather Kiteley , President and CEO of GFD sits down with Athena Theodorakakis, Funeral Director at Arbutus Funeral Service and British Columbia Funeral Association (BCFA) Past President 2023-2025 . Together, they reflect on how deathcare services have shifted across generations from long-standing traditions to mod...

What can deathcare professionals learn from how Canadians are rethinking end-of-life planning? Part 2 of GFD’s 2025 Annual General Meeting panel discussion continues the exploration of Canada’s evolving deathcare landscape. Hosted by Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, this conversation features the same insightful panelists: Patrick McGarry, Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Hulse, P...

How are deathcare professionals navigating the changing landscape of end-of-life planning in Canada? GFD’s 2025 Annual General Meeting was proud to host a panel of leaders in the deathcare profession who shared their perspectives on Canada’s evolving deathcare landscape. Our discussion, hosted by Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, brought forward unique experiences and valuable takeaways f...

The service may end, but our support endures – walking beside families as they navigate their journey through grief. In episode 17 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, talks with Todd Reinholt, Funeral Director, Celebrant, and Grief Recovery Specialist, about the power of aftercare. Todd brings a heartfelt perspective on how funeral professionals can extend empathy and heali...

What does it take to honour Canada’s fallen with dignity and respect? In this episode of Digging Deep, GFD’s President and CEO, Heather Kiteley, talks with Allan Job, Vice President of Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery & Cremation Services. They dig into a powerful conversation about Canadian military funerals and offer a behind-the-scenes view of how we pay respect to our fallen heroes. This episod...

In this episode of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD dives into one of the most pressing and puzzling trends in funeral service today: The Preplanning Paradox. Our guest, Jason Meidl, Managing Director and Owner of Creston Valley Funeral Services, joins us to explore why awareness around funeral preplanning is decreasing, even as its importance continues to rise. From shiftin...