Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast

Here are the stories we mention in this episode: Unclaimed Remains Catholic Church on Alkaline Hydrolysis Georgia NOR COVID Story Shepherd Memorial Auction Stephanie Peterson: Painful personal experience shaped ability to help with grief journey After a bad funeral, this Iowa woman became a funeral director to do better for others Covid quadrupled the number of bodies coming into my funeral home  ...

Mitch Smith explores the future of preneed funeral planning through the lens of shifting consumer expectations and digital transformation. Click here for complete show notes. 

Tanya Marsh talks about the findings in a recent academic survey into the transformation of funerary and disposition practices in the U.S. Discover insights from Marsh's survey on consumer interest in alternative burial methods and the implications of these trends for the future of funeral service. Click here for full show notes.

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we discuss the  Succession Planning Roundtable , a preview of the next  column from Steve Lang , and get updates on the continued push to  legalize alkaline hydrolysis in Indiana .  Mishandled  remains in Illinois, and  unclaimed remains  sorted. A creative  columbarium initiative  in Nebraska and a  Liberty Bell lost and found.   

88% of executives say consumers are changing faster than their businesses can keep up, making it more important than ever for funeral homes to stay relevant. In this session, you'll discover why reimagining the preneed journey will help you address two of the biggest challenges facing the profession today. Click here for more information.

 A.J. Orlikoff, Interim President of Historic Congressional Cemetery, discusses his role in promting cemeteries beyond burial spaces into community gathering and even leadning centers.

Greg Grabowski of Hospice Insights joins us to discuss new ways to engage with hospice and to work toward having funeral directors move further up the continuum of care chain.  Building a Comprehensive Hospice CRM: "We do lots of engagements throughout the course of the day. We download every little single idea that we have that have worked. "   The Role of Social Workers in Hospice Care: "One of...

Matthews International shareholders voted to  keep the current board of directors , defeating Barrington Capital's attempt to change the company's direction. The U.S. Postal Service is updating its  mailing requirements for cremated remains , mandating the use of USPS-provided shipping supplies for domestic and international shipments starting March 1. In Michigan, the  Quakenushes won their lawsu...

Funeral director Kim Zavrotny, Funeral Professionals Peer Support Program Director (USA), discusses her work with that organization and looks to the future. 

In this episode we discuss takeaways from the latest  earnings report from SCI  and their strategies for pre-need sales growth, kick off what it likely to be a long conversation about  outdated state funeral laws , highlight an  iconic Black funeral director , and celebrate a heroic act by a  Rhode Island funeral director .    Click here for complete show notes.

Madeline Lyles of After Life Mortuary Services talks about her program encouraging teend to go into mortuary science and her hope for funeral directors struggling with the stresses of the job. 

Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cemetery & Cremation joined us on "Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast" this week to discuss some of the stories and the magazine's continuing coverage of what cemeteries can be and how they can continue to thrive. The Future of Cemeteries: "Cemeteries are not anathema to cremation and there's a way in which they walk hand in hand through memorialization and that's...

In this episode we explore the ongoing  arbitration saga between Matthews and Tesla  over the dry cell technology, alongside the intricate proxy fight involving  Barington Capital . In addition, we shed light on a burgeoning scandal at  Heaven Bound Cremation Service  and discuss  pivotal industry updates , including new roles on the  Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors . From...

In this bonus episode, Manager of Funeral Revenue and Merchandising at Service Corporation International Lacyn Barton talks about how she found her place in fuenral service and ways she lives her passions. 

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we look at Carriage's  quarterly earnings report  and the  AI reporting on it . We also dive into how memorialization boosts cremation revenue, strategic succession insights,  H.E. Turner's recognition , a quick SGK Brand Solutions update and the question of funeral industry inclusivity challenges. Click here for complete show notes.  

In this episode, we tease a new column by Steve Lang set to debut in the Feb. 6 FSI, and address the recent reporting on Indiana's state issues. We also talk about a recent crematory approval in Illinois  over NIMBY concerns  and look at a  scandal  in Maryland that is being  very ,  very ,  very well covered.

Tanya Scotece, Program Coordinator of Funeral Service Education at Miami Dade College, discusses some of her challenges as a death care educator and her reasons for accepting a position on the KB Advisory board.

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Jim Luff from Aurora Payments about the complexities of the Credit Card Competition Act and its implications for the funeral industry. Empowering Merchants: "This gives merchants a choice in the fees that they pay, something that's never been offered in the past … every time a merchant accepts a Visa or Mastercard for payment, approximately...

In this episode, we consider proposed tariffs on caskets from China, Mexico, and Canada, a critical legal battle in the  7th Circuit Court  over regulations in Indiana .  We'll  also explore  Utah ' s  m o v e   t o ward natural organic reduction and those implications  and discuss the  latest in the  proxy fight between  Matthews and Barington .    There's  also a ton going on at  Kates -Boylston...

Katie Hill of Mortuary Lift Company, an inaugural Kates-Boylston advisory board member, shares her company origin story and her hope for the future of death care. Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, we consider accusations of fraud and misconduct in South Carolina, Indiana's two front battle against the future, a restructuring in Pennsylvania and some positive listener feedback. Show Notes:   https://www.kates-boylston.com/fraud-in-south-carolina-fights-in-indiana-and-a-restructuring-in-pennsylvania/article_ed2a463e-d47a-11ef-be30-8f21708dd4bf.html

In this bonus episode Kahlen Knapik of National Mortuary Shipping and Cremation discussed the Kates-Boylston Advisory Board and shares his take on the future of funeral service.  

In this episode, we continue our conversation between American Cemetery & Cremation editor Tom Nondorf and Funeral Service Insider editor Tony Russo. In part one we concentrated on the ins and outs of cemetery news. Click here for complete show notes. 

In this episode, we dive into some significant shifts in the industry, including Matthews International's $350 million transaction and a potential board shakeup. We'll also discuss SCI's recent acquisitions in Arizona and a growing trend of consolidation. We'll also touch on Thacker's acquisition of Southern Legacy Casket, the Hart Island Project, Toledo's first black-owned funeral home in decades...

Publisher Sofia Goller talks about her advisory board initiative as Kates-Boylston looks to the future of death care.  Click here for complete show notes.