The Direct Cremation Podcast

Whether you use funeral home software, a cremation website, or the best funeral home software available, your marketing works best when it helps people solve real problems. This episode explains exactly how to create educational materials that hospice staff will actually keep, share, and remember. 💡 Timestamps (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:36) Hospice Flyers That Make An Impact (00:02:00) Questions To...

Will calls it the “Referral Factory,” and the name fits. This approach does not rely on one lucky call, one cremation ad, or one direct mail campaign. Instead, it creates a repeatable system that helps a funeral home, cremation provider, or online cremation services brand become the trusted resource healthcare workers remember when families need guidance. Don't miss out—check the full episode now!...

Families no longer search for funeral homes the way they did ten years ago. They still use Google, of course, but they also ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and other AI tools for recommendations. That shift creates a new question for funeral professionals: when a family asks a robot which cremation provider to trust, will your firm show up? In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast,...

In this solo episode, Will de Michaelis is back in the pod to dive into data collected from more than 500 funeral homes and uncovers the operational patterns shared by the industry's highest performers. These elite firms represent just 3.7% of the funeral homes studied, yet they consistently handle 1,000, 2,000, and even 3,000 cases annually. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:51 The Top 3% of Funera...

Few in death care can match the experience and perspective of Thomas J. Anderson—fourth-generation funeral director, community leader, University of Minnesota Regent, and the voice behind the widely read Funeral Director Daily blog. In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, dives into Anderson’s story of legacy, innovation, and gratitude. From steppi...

When a family calls your funeral home, they are not shopping for a product. They are searching for peace of mind. If you lead sales, answer phones, or manage training for your team, this is a masterclass in turning a price inquiry into a real relationship! #FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #FuneralManagementSystem #FuneralDirectorTips #OnlineCremations #FuneralArrangingSoftware #CremationBus...

What begins as a story about basketball evolves into a powerful conversation about grief, legacy, and the future of funeral service software. It’s personal, smart, and packed with fresh ideas! 💡 #FuneralWebsiteBestPractices #FuneralIndustry #DeathCareLeadership #OnlineFuneralArrangement #FuneralHomes #AfterDeathCare #Eazewell #DirectCremationPodcast - Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:01 Welcome Do...

Get ready to dive deep on: 🎓 The truth about what mortuary school really teaches 🙅🏽‍♀️ The onboarding mistakes that push new hires out the door 📉 How micromanagement kills motivation ❤️‍🔥 What smart funeral homes are doing to keep their teams happy Whether you're a funeral home owner, manager, or just passionate about funeral service—this episode will change how you think about hiring and tra...

Courtney spills real-world strategies that helped her: 📈 How tech + empathy create faster trust and fewer callbacks 🌟 Build a brand that families loved (55+ 5-star reviews) 💸 Keep ROAS in check while marketing cremations 💡 Real reason to sold Lumen Cremation (and what she’d do again) Whether you’re looking to streamline online cremation services, improve your funeral planning software, or expl...

The funeral industry continues to evolve, and artificial intelligence (AI) is driving much of this transformation. In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, CEO Tyler Yamasaki spoke with tech expert Will Chang about how AI is changing funeral home software, cremation software, and online funeral arrangements. Their discussion explored practical ways AI enhances efficiency, improves customer...

What if your final farewell could help the planet thrive? 🌍 In this episode, we sit down with Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, to explore how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)—also known as human composting—redefines death care. Micah shares: ✔️ How NOR turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil in just two months ✔️ The emotional and environmental impact of this groundbreaking process ✔️ Stories...

What does soup ladle, windy ash-scattering, and funeral home management software have in common? 🥄💨 They’re all part of this can’t-miss episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast! Join Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, and Caroline Andre, our merchandising expert, as they share hilarious stories and expert insights into growing your funeral home business with: ✅ The right tools for meaningful cr...

Douglas Klein, the founder of Chicagoland Cremation Options, transformed a career setback into an opportunity to build one of the most innovative cremation brands in the industry. In a candid conversation on the Direct Cremation Podcast, hosted by Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, Douglas shared his journey, strategies for success, and predictions for the future of funeral services. His insights...

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential for any business—especially for funeral homes, where families often search for services during critical times. In the most recent Direct Cremation Podcast episode, Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, discussed Google’s Local Service Ads with co-founder Albert Chang. They explain how Local Service Ads can help funeral homes capture lea...

In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki sits down with Christopher Teel, a first-generation funeral director who has built multiple thriving businesses in death care. Discover how Teel went from pursuing law to owning multiple funeral brands, including a high-volume cremation service and a traditional funeral home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 🔥 Listen in as we explore: • Teel’...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Smith, a third-generation funeral director and the visionary behind Smith Family Funeral Homes and Arkansas Cremation. Jeff’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—he has more than 10X’d his family’s business in Central Arkansas, built both traditional and cremation-focused funeral homes, and created a small death care empire. With 10 years of NFDA’s Pursuit...

Want a forecast of your service area or audit of your current Google Campaign? Get it here: https://partingpro.com/marketing-services Online marketing might seem easy to set up, but getting it right is another story. In this episode, my co-founder Albert Chang walks you through the top 10 mistakes that could be draining your ad budget. It’s not just about following the basics or letting Google han...

From humble beginnings in the death care industry nearly 30 years ago, Troy Kaltenberg's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting at Service Corporation International, he cut his teeth in the world of pre-need sales. Fast forward to today, and Troy has built a thriving cremation brand, Grand Rapids Cremation Services, serving thousands of families and earning rave reviews along the way. In...

Barbara is back, baby! 🎉 In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), joining us for the third time! Barbara is here to drop some serious knowledge bombs about the latest cremation trends. In this jam-packed episode, we dive into CANA's annual report, one of the most comprehensive in the industry. We uncover f...

With three decades of experience, Scott Newton is a seasoned veteran in the death care industry. As President and founding member of Graystone Associates, Scott and his team have been helping funeral homes thrive for over 20 years. After assisting hundreds of funeral homes, Scott reveals the key strategies and metrics essential for growing market share. In this episode, discover Scott's insights o...

Running four different locations is challenging. Maintaining a 5.0-star rating on Google for all of them? Almost impossible. But Julie Bishop of Crevasse’s Simple Cremation does it with finesse. In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover Julie’s journey from her beginnings to expanding her cremation business to serve thousands of grateful families. Learn her secrets to maintai...

In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Robert Hunsaker, a true legend in the death care industry. From his childhood days living in a funeral home with his funeral director father, to working in cemetery groundskeeping, and climbing the ranks at Batesville, Great Western Insurance Company, and Sinosource, Robert's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s owned funeral homes, cemeteries,...

Boost your contract totals! Caroline Andree, Head of Merchandising at Parting Pro, reveals the most popular merchandise chosen by families based on exclusive data from thousands of online arrangements at Parting Pro. Learn what's selling and how to tailor your recommendations to maximize your contract totals and provide the most value for families. If you'd like the insert of the best selling merc...

At the helm of a successful funeral home, a new cemetery, and a growing online cremation service, Bryce Bunker exemplifies a family-focused, service-centric approach that has propelled him to success in competitive corners of death care.  In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover how Bryce's innovative methods have redefined service in the cemetery. Learn about his strategic insigh...

Jimmy Altmeyer is as impressive as they come. As a fourth-generation funeral director, he started with 3 funeral homes and has grown his empire into 53 rooftops and serves over 12,000 families each year. While that accomplishment alone is impressive, when you hear how Jimmy talks about the profession and the level of service that he strives to provide to every family that his companies serve, that...