On Deathcare

Episode Overview In this week’s roundup, Tony Russo covers the practical power of earned media for local funeral homes, updates on an alarming financial scandal in Alabama, community pushback against green burials and pet water cremation, international insights into body preparation standards, and the growth of an independent buying group. Key Segments & Discussion Points * The Secret to Local Pre...

In this special “Death Doula” edition of The Rest , host Tony Russo sits down with law professor and funeral law expert Tanya Marsh to break down the recent legal battle involving Indiana death doula Lauren Richwine. They dive into the procedural history of the case, the overbroad state regulations that sparked the conflict, and the broader, shifting landscape of occupational licensing within the...

When a legacy family cemetery faces a sudden transition, the threat of receivership or a corporate fire sale looms large. In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with third-generation cemeterian Shayda Frost and her husband Timothy Amoui to discuss the reality of taking over six Atlanta cemeteries with no previous operational background. This discussion digs into the tactical headaches of moder...

This week on The Rest, host Tony Russo covers shifts and critical developments across the deathcare industry. The episode breaks down the recent leadership changes at Foundation Partners Group, including the appointment of Jim Evanger, a professional interim CEO and PE turnaround expert to CEO and the broader implications of private equity money in funeral service. Tony also reviews a $7 million m...

This week on The Rest , we dive into the leadership shakeup at Foundation Partners Group. We also look closely at a recent civil lawsuit in Ohio that underscores the massive disconnect between quick crematory certification courses and hands-on operational experience. Plus, a Pennsylvania funeral home’s makeshift skylight plan, the defeat of human composting legislation in Illinois, a creative land...

In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with Faith Haug, mortuary science program director for Arapahoe Community College and newly elected Secretary-Treasurer of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Faith opens up about her unexpected floor nomination, what it actually means to govern the board, and breaks the news of an upcoming leadership transition within the organization. The c...

In this episode of The Rest , Tony Russo rounds up the latest major headlines shaking up and shaping the deathcare industry, from viral social media shifts to controversial leadership battles. Support independent deathcare journalism. Get industry news, deep-dive columns, and exclusive weekly updates directly by subscribing today at ondeathcare.com. Authentic Connection Over SEO Hacks Tony breaks...

In this week’s episode, Tony Russo breaks down a highly unusual and contentious development in the National Funeral Directors Association election. We also look at a major expansion for Earth Funeral on the East Coast, a massive overhaul for crematory inspection laws in Illinois, and the looming financial struggles facing small and church-run cemeteries. Subscribe below to get independent deathcar...

In this episode, Tony Russo sits down with Beth King, general manager of her family’s multi-generational funeral firm. Beth talks about her firm’s partnership with local public libraries and their partnership on the Saving Family Stories project. Saving Family Stories provides free public access to media digitization equipment. She also talks about a book sponsorship program that helps people, par...

In this week’s episode, host Tony Russo dives into the heavily politicized battle over Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) in Oklahoma, legislative updates on green burials in Minnesota, and Neil deGrasse Tyson’s take on non-religious disposition. Plus, we look at the inherent risks of leasing a funeral home facility, a massive pre-need scandal in Michigan, and the regulatory challenges facing a histo...

In this episode of On the Clock , host Tony Russo sits down with Pierce Dempsey of Leaf Cremation to explore the relationship between funeral professionals and hospice care providers. Pierce, a fourth-generation cemeterian, shares how he transformed a simple task of “knocking on doors” into a massive endeavor that bridges the gap between end-of-life healthcare and final arrangements. Key Takeaways...

In this episode, Tony Russo dives into the latest developments across the deathcare industry, from regulatory drama in Texas to corporate shifts at Carriage Services. We explore the evolving role of the “CEO as the face of the business,” the fallout of body mishandling cases, and why being forthright is the only way to manage a crisis in the modern age. Inside This Episode: * The Viral Mortician:...

In this episode of On the Clock , host Tony Russo sits down with Chris Holt , a funeral director and crematory technician from Montana who is currently running for an at-large position on the National Funeral Directors Association board. With 20 years of experience in the “sacred profession,” Chris shares his journey from state leadership to national advocacy. The conversation dives into the heart...

In this episode of On Death Care , host Tony Russo sits down with Stephanie Rush and Amanda Goodell , co-authors of the award-winning children’s book, You Can Always Talk to Possum at Life Forest . The book was recently honored by the ICCFA as the most personalized service/memorial for a cemetery in their 2025 Keeping It Personal Awards . The authors discuss the inspiration behind the book, which...

In this episode, Tony Russo covers high-profile controversies in Detroit, the ongoing legislative battles surrounding natural organic reduction, and cultural equity in cremation services. Key Stories * The “Wrong Ashes” Voicemail Controversy: A Detroit man, Curtis Robinson, was shaken after receiving a voicemail from Charita Butler, co-owner of Butler Funeral Home, suggesting she would give him “...

In this episode of On the Clock , Tony Russo interviews National Funeral Directors Association Secretary Candidate Carlton Maye Jr . Maye discusses his philosophy of service and how his background as an educator informs his vision for the association’s future. Professional Background * Current Board Service : Maye has served as an at-large representative on the NFDA board for the past two years. *...

In this episode of The Rest , Tony Russo dives into the importance of “being the face” of your funeral business to establish authentic community trust. From the upcoming ICCFA Experience to legislative shifts in Illinois, we cover the latest trends in death care and the technology aiming to simplify family arrangements. Key Discussion Points * The Power of Authenticity: By sharing real, unpolished...

In this episode of On the Clock , Tony Russo speaks with Maureen Krienen , a fourth-generation funeral director and candidate for an at-large position on the National Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors. Krienen discusses her transition into ownership of her family’s firm and her motivations for seeking a national leadership role. Professional Background * Experience : Krienen has bee...

In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with Nadira Baddeliyanage , Executive Director of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association , to celebrate her 30-year milestone with the organization. Nadira shares her journey from “cleaning the database” to leading the association through a transformative era where leadership must be both the “brains and the face” of the profession....

In this episode, Tony Russo breaks down a high-stakes week in the funeral industry, from executive departures at Park Lawn to significant legal and regulatory shifts in Texas and beyond. Top Stories * Park Lawn Executive Shakeup : Major leadership changes as Jennifer Hay, Mat Forastiere, and Jay Dodds are dismissed. Tony discusses the appointment of Markus Sturm and Steve Shaffer and its imlicatio...

In this episode of On the Clock , Tony Russo sits down with Shelby Ogozaly , a first-generation funeral director and NFDA at-large candidate. As part of a notably younger wave of leadership in deathcare, Shelby discusses her journey from being the youngest female president of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association to running for a national board position. She shares her vision for a mo...

In this week’s episode, Tony Russo breaks down the latest shifts in the death care industry, from innovative “witness cremation” practices to legal battles over human composting. We also look at the collapse of a digital arrangement startup and the ongoing regulatory struggles involving pre-need funeral contracts. In This Episode: * Reframing Cremation in Tucson: How Bring’s Broadway Chapel is tur...

In this episode of On the Clock , Tony Russo sits down with Steven Johnson, CFSP , a first-generation funeral director from Western New York who has overseen massive business growth, expanding from four to eight locations in just five years. Steven pulls back the curtain on his “secret weapon” for organic growth: Earned Media . He shares how funeral directors can stop “begging” for coverage and st...

In this episode, Tony Russo sits down with Pablo Metz , co-founder of Germany-based Circulum Systems , to discuss the operational and technical realities of bringing Terramation to the U.S. market. Metz shares how his background in tech and problem-solving led him to develop the soil-transformation process with his partner. Metz breaks down the “Three Pillars of Respect” that guide their technolog...

In this week’s roundup, we dive into the major shifts impacting mortuary education, a bittersweet farewell to a historic Polish funeral home, and ongoing legal battles regarding religious burial rights in Minnesota. We also look back at a personal essay about Black casket salesmen and tease a massive new data report from the Johnson Consulting Group. Key Stories This Week * Cincinnati College of M...