In this episode we share some direct commentary about how one local funeral director feels about the corporate competition in his own town, and talk about some of the good things going on in our June editions, if you'd like to subscribe. There's also a look at some futurist-type stuff including an impressive cemetery reimagining in Australia and a …

In this episode we speak with American Cemetery & Cremation editor Tom Nondorf about how cemeteries are embracing community engagement, creatively reusing space, and recycling transparency. Click here for complete show notes.By Tony Russo

Scholarships top $1 million, a Connecticut director faces discipline, and Oklahoma’s funeral board may dissolve. Terramation expands to Georgia, and a cremation scandal documentary premieres June 1.By Tony Russo

Brent Thorson of Terrybear Urns and Memorials discusses how cremation businesses can better position themselves in a competitive, evolving market. Thorson highlights a disconnect between a funeral home's reputation for service and their visibility as cremation providers. Emphasizing local relevance, Thorson aims to provide tools for firms to improv…

Writer and librarian Sharon Verbeten discusses her career covering funeral service and how her “Comfort Kids” project is helping children and families process grief. From grief libraries to story-driven writing, she champions open conversations about death and believes funeral homes play a key role in normalizing those discussions. Click here for c…

In this week’s ICYMI: Matthews International has acquired The Dodge Company for $57 million, expanding its memorialization portfolio. SCI shares some interesting insights with Oppenheimer. In Texas, proposed changes to cremation regulations could slow services and raise costs. New digital obituary platforms are emerging, though concerns remain abou…

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, disconnected tech tools can slow down operations, create inefficiencies, and hinder collaboration. This session explores the power of integrated technology solutions and how they create efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance customer experience. Learn how seamless tech integration eliminates silos, im…

In this episode, we preview Kates-Boylston’s upcoming virtual preneed event, featuring expert insights from Greg Norris and Spencer Larkin. Tony also recaps earnings from SCI, Carriage, and Matthews International, highlighting steady growth in at-need and memorialization revenues despite economic uncertainty. Matthews also is preparing to finalize …

Funeral director Alexandra Mosca shares her journey into funeral service and her concurrent career as a writer. Learn how these two worlds intersect and inform her unique perspective.By Tony Russo

This week's episode highlights the new Kates-Boylston Compensation Report, a fire at one of New York's oldest funeral homes, an interesting legislative update on crematory temperatures in Oregon, and discuss the increasing trend of partnerships and venture capital investment in funeral tech.By Tony Russo

For Greg Norris, regional director for Homesteaders Life Company, the foundation of a successful preneed sales strategy isn’t flashy marketing or an especially persuasive pitch; it’s discipline. Click here for complete show notes.By Tony Russo

This we we speak with Joél Maldonado, "The Grave Woman," and her path into multicultural death care. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding different cultural backgrounds in death care. We also discuss Maldonado's connection to her Gullah-Geechee heritage and its influence on her work promoting culturally relevant death practic…

This episode covers inclusive funeral care with Joelle Maldonado, a grief support initiative from Bob DiPasquale, new NOR offerings at Goes Funeral Care, a cremation pricing spotlight in Florida, and breaking stories from Texas and Virginia. Plus, details on Kates-Boylston’s upcoming Technology Think Tank. Tune in for insights, innovations, and imp…

Kevon McKay of Mid-States Recycling and Refining discusses the evolution of cremation metal recycling and the importance of education for crematory owners. McKay will present “Keys to a Successful Recycling Program for your Crematory” at the Kates-Boylston Cremation Innovations virtual event, beginning 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Click here to register…

This week, we talk changing stereotypes, a pet crematory stepping up, Australia's cultural shift toward cremation, and controversial AI memorialization in Malaysia among other stories.By Tony Russo

In this episode, we speak with Ryan Reyes about how making connections can be a natural part of interpersonal interaction.By Tony Russo

Notes from this week's show. New legislation making it easier for funeral directors to serve trans families regarding death certificates. Discussion of various awards relevant to the funeral service industry, including "Ones to Watch," Green Burial Council awards, and Funeral Service Foundation scholarships. Commentary on a funeral director's appea…

Wendy Wiener of WRW Legal discusses the importance of double checking and shares some of her vision for the future of funeral service.By Tony Russo

Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s top stories. All should be well again soon as Poul Lemasters takes over the reins at Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science following Jack Lechner’s resignation. Bio-Response gets a boost from 3 Boomerang Capital’s cash infusion. A vertical cemetery in Australia can be seen as a one-upmanship in green burials. Pa…

Damon Wenig explains his view of funeral service as "high-stakes hospitality," highlighting the shift from traditional customer service to delivering an exceptional customer experience.By Tony Russo

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we talk with Calvin Amato about his path into the funeral profession. Starting out in hospitality management, Calvin shares how growing up in a small town and spending time living in a funeral home during college sparked his interest in the field. Now certified as a cremation operator, death doula, and fu…

These are the stories we mention in this episode: Pet Cremation Experience LinkedIn Industry Listing Wake Forest Law Review NOR as a Service Cemetery Software Webinar Memorial Day Preparations Mother's Day and Pregnancy Loss Memorialization Kate-Boylston Resources and Events Click here for complete show notes.…

Stephanie Castagnier Dunn chief SBA revenue officer for Phoenix SBA a Community Bankshare Company talks about the state of the American small business economy, business loans for refinancing, real estate, and buy-outs, and strategies for structuring deals that benefit all parties while preserving business legacies.…

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 …

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.By Tony Russo

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…

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.By Tony Russo

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 Ro…

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.…

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

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 not…

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 wa…

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 o…

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.By Tony Russo

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 f…

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.By Tony Russo

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 accep…

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 move toward natural organic reduction and those implications and discuss the latest in the proxy fight between Matthews and Barington. There’s also a ton goi…

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-be…

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.By Tony Russo

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, …

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.By Tony Russo

This week, Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cremation & Cemetery magazine co-hosts the first of a two-part year-in-review episode. The Unique Cemetery Overlooking Sanford Stadium: “They sell plots because the University of Georgia plays pretty good brand of college football. People want to see it. And so, you know, they have that crazy brand of a So…

ICYMI provides commentary on the week’s funeral service news. This Episode Is Sponsored by Passages International Click here for complete show notes.