Shows
The Direct Cremation PodcastWhy Funeral Hires Are Abandoning You | Martha Thayer (Mortuary Training) #65Get ready to dive deep on:đ The truth about what mortuary school really teachesđ
đ˝ââď¸Â The onboarding mistakes that push new hires out the doorđ How micromanagement kills motivationâ¤ď¸âđĽÂ What smart funeral homes are doing to keep their teams happyWhether you're a funeral home owner, manager, or just passionate about funeral serviceâthis episode will change how you think about hiring and training.đĄ Donât miss this must-watch conversation packed with real talk, bold insights, and practical solutions.Watch NOW and subscribe for more content funeral pro tips! đ#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftw...2025-05-151h 14The Direct Cremation PodcastYou Only Need a 2.5 Minute Call with Families | Courtney Gould Miller (President, Tribute Tech) #64Courtney spills real-world strategies that helped her:đ How tech + empathy create faster trust and fewer callbacksđ Build a brand that families loved (55+ 5-star reviews)đ¸ Keep ROAS in check while marketing cremationsđĄÂ Real reason to sold Lumen Cremation (and what sheâd do again)Whether youâre looking to streamline online cremation services, improve your funeral planning software, or explore innovative funeral home ideas, this oneâs a must-watch. đLearn how top-performing funeral homes are using cremation software to grow smarterânot just bigger! đĄ#funeralsoftware #cremationsoftware #onlinefuneralarrangements #funeraltech #funeralhomeTimestamps(00:00...2025-04-1454 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow to Use ChatGPT the Right Way in the Funeral Home | Will Chang #63The 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 experience, and strengthens marketing cremations.What youâll learn:â
How AI can write obituaries in seconds (and make them personal!)â
The secret to using ChatGPT for funeral home marketing & websitesâ
How AI-generated funeral home images can enhance your bra...2025-02-2547 min
The Direct Cremation PodcastHuman Composting: Everything You've Wanted to Know | Micah Truman (Return Home) #62What if your final farewell could help the planet thrive? đIn this episode, we sit down with Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, to explore how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)âalso known as human compostingâredefines death care.Micah shares:âď¸ How NOR turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil in just two monthsâď¸ The emotional and environmental impact of this groundbreaking processâď¸ Stories of families creating meaningful tributes with NORâď¸ The challenges and triumphs of introducing a brand-new disposition optionWhether you're curious about sustainable alternatives to cremation or looking for innovative...2025-01-2359 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastFrom Fired to 1500 Families | Douglas Klein (Chicagoland Cremation Options) #60Douglas 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 offer a roadmap for funeral directors aiming to grow their businesses while embracing the changing needs of families.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:10) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:25) Welcome Douglas Klein!(02:24) Douglas' entry...2024-11-261h 00The Direct Cremation PodcastThe Marketing Secret Your Competitors Have Already Implemented | Albert Chang (Parting Pro) #59In todayâs digital world, a strong online presence is essential for any businessâespecially 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 Googleâs Local Service Ads with co-founder Albert Chang. They explain how Local Service Ads can help funeral homes capture leads and reach local families more effectively. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone managing a funeral home, cremation website, or cemetery.Get your own step-by-step guide to set up Local Service Ads yourself here:h...2024-11-1318 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow to Successfully Operate a Cremation and Traditional Brand | Christopher Teel (Bixby Funeral) #58In 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.đĽ Listen in as we explore:⢠Teelâs unexpected journey into death care⢠The rise of cremation rates and how funeral homes can adapt⢠The power of sales in the arrangement room and why itâs essential for funeral success⢠Strategies to m...2024-10-2952 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow to 10x your funeral business | Jeff Smith (Smith Family Funeral Homes) #57In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Smith, a third-generation funeral director and the visionary behind Smith Family Funeral Homes and Arkansas Cremation. Jeffâs journey is nothing short of remarkableâhe has more than 10Xâd his familyâs business in Central Arkansas, built both traditional and cremation-focused funeral homes, and created a small death care empire.With 10 years of NFDAâs Pursuit of Excellence awards, his company is set to be inducted into the NFDAâs âHall of Excellenceâ for their consistent achievement - a true testament to their dedication and impact in the industry....2024-10-291h 07The Direct Cremation Podcast10 Online Marketing Mistakes You MUST Avoid | Albert Chang (Co-Founder, Parting Pro) #56Want a forecast of your service area or audit of your current Google Campaign? Get it here: https://partingpro.com/marketing-servicesOnline 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.Itâs not just about following the basics or letting Google handle everythingâthere are seasoned competitors out there who will grab the attention of your families if your marketing isnât on point.Letâs make s...2024-09-1738 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastFrom SCI to Successful Cremation Brand | Troy Kaltenberg (Grand Rapids Cremation Services) #55From 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 this episode, we dive into the story of this first-generation funeral director who, in just five years, turned his vision into a powerhouse business. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own brand or just curious...2024-08-2048 minThe Direct Cremation Podcast60.6% Cremation Rate: CANA Cremation Data Report Recap | Barbara Kemmis (Cremation Association) #54Barbara is back, baby! đIn this episode, weâre 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 fascinating insights into death rates and the ever-evolving choices families make between cremation and burial. Did you know that while cremation is on the rise, the growth rate is starting to sl...2024-07-2645 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastUnlock Maximum Funeral Home Value: The Key Metric Revealed | Scott Newton (Graystone Associates) #53With 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 on innovation in death care (a must), adopting a growth mindset (absolutely necessary), and the one crucial metric that drives the highest valuation in the industry [(34:08)]. Gain invaluable knowledge from a true expertâwatch now!...2024-07-0155 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastBuilt from Scratch: 4 Locations, 5-Star Reviews, 1000's of Families | Julie Bishop (Crevasse's) #52Running four different locations is challenging. Maintaining a 5.0-star rating on Google for all of them? Almost impossible. But Julie Bishop of Crevasseâs Simple Cremation does it with finesse.In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover Julieâs journey from her beginnings to expanding her cremation business to serve thousands of grateful families. Learn her secrets to maintaining a consistent, five-star experience across multiple locations and teams without compromising quality.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:55) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(02:01) How Julie got into deathcare(05:57) How Julie knew that she want...2024-06-1735 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastFuneral Homes Will Struggle if They Don't Embrace this Trend | Robert Hunsaker (CANA President) #51In this episode, weâre 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. Heâs owned funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses, and now serves as the president of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).But itâs not just his impressive resume that stands out. When Robert speaks about the latest trends, his de...2024-06-1744 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastArrangement Secrets Revealed: The Best Selling Urn in 2024 | Caroline Andree (Parting Pro) #50Boost 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 merchandise, please email caroline@partingpro.com for a copy.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:40) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:33) What Caroline will be sharing with us today(02:03) Where Caroline gets the data2024-05-2236 minThe Direct Cremation Podcast"I'm Bullish on Cemeteries!" | Bryce Bunker (After.com, Bunker Family, Gilbert Memorial) #49At 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 insights into the fast-growing, highly competitive market of low-cost online cremations, and how his unique blend of compassion and entrepreneurship is setting new standards.Timestamps (00:00) Intro (01:07) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast (01:20) Welcome Bryce Bunk...2024-04-2648 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastJimmy Altmeyer (Altmeyer Funeral Homes): 53 Rooftops, 12,000 families: Perfect Service at Scale | #48Jimmy 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, thatâs where he really shines. In this episode, Jimmy gives us a peek into how his funeral homes maintain such a high level of service at a scale larger than some corporately owned gro...2024-01-2658 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow to Build the Perfect Online Cremation Company | #47In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, reveal the unexpected challenges behind creating the ideal online cremation service. While it seems straightforward with its streamlined offerings and minimal overhead, there's much more beneath the surface. Uncover the five crucial elements that are essential for success in this unique business. Watch to learn what really makes an online cremation company thrive beyond the basics.Timestamps (00:00) Intro(01:05) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(02:24) Where to start when creating a cremation society(11:41) Expectations vs. Reality(15:45) Tips for Funeral Homeowners or Directors: Navigating online arrangement processes2024-01-121h 11The Direct Cremation PodcastAshley Jones (Parting Pro): The Biggest Mistakes That Will Kill Your Cremation Brand | #46From answering the phone wrong to nickel and diming your families all the way to the bank, in this episodes of the Direct Cremation Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that will absolutely kill your cremation brand. After managing one of the largest cremation brands in the world (5,000+ cremations/year) to now training and consulting for hundreds of cremation companies across the country, Ashley Jones has seen a lot of different approaches to building a cremation company. In this episode, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that owners make that have destroyed promising cremation b...2023-12-1541 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastStop Funeral Director Burnout: Breathwork and Meditation Techniques for Funeral Professionals | #45The stressful environment of the death care professional can be non-stop. Burnout rates are high, and turnover seems to be an ever-present issue withing the funeral profession. In this episode, Will de Michaelis shares his insightful journey into the world of breathwork and meditation. While you might think that these are non-sense things for hippies, Will would respectfully disagree. See how breathwork can create lower anxiety, less stress, and the ability to be more connected to people and relationship, the most important facets of death care. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" definitely holds true for t...2023-11-2208 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastWhy You Can't Ignore This New Death Care Group | Erin Creger (Death Care Collective) #44With over 80% of new graduates of mortuary school being female, the need for a death care group centered around empowering women is becoming increasingly vital. Founded by some of the more influential women in death care, the Death Care Collective is just getting started. Whether you're an owner, a manager, or even just a new graduate, understanding the challenges and support needed for the new majority of death care is important. In this episode, we talk to Erin Creger, founding member, as we talk about how this group started out of COVID, grew with some of...2023-11-1748 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastGet Ahead of the FTC's Upcoming Funeral Rule Amendments with Poul Lemasters | #43In this exclusive webinar, co-hosts Tyler Yamasaki and Will de Michaelis sit down with Poul Lemasters, a renowned death care lawyer and key advisor to the FTCâs changes, to speak about the upcoming changes.In this talk, we discussed:Why the FTC is amending the Funeral Rule now.Which amendments are likely to change.What impacts this will have on your funeral home.When these changes will take affect.Described as "the most informative webinar I've attended in regards to this topic", this is not one you want to miss.For Innovative Fu...2023-11-0357 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastSandra Walker (Fairmount Memorial): From Temp to COO: An Unstoppable Force in Death Care | #42Sandra Walker boasts an impressive career in the death care industry. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Fairmount Memorial Association, overseeing seven memorial parks and a few cremation brands. Additionally, she holds a position on the board of the Cremation Association of North America and is a founding member of the Death Care Collective. This remarkable journey follows nearly two decades of dedication at SCI.Despite her accomplishments, Sandra humbly attributes her success to great mentors and a support system in death care. However, her path has been marked by unwavering perseverance, hard work...2023-11-021h 00The Direct Cremation PodcastDrew de Michaelis (Omega Society): 4,500 Cremations per Year. How We Did It. | #41Scaling a funeral home to serve more than 1,000 families annually demands competent execution and a well-devised business strategy. But to ramp that up to over 4,500 families in a single year requires phenomenal execution, a stellar team, and near-flawless operational efficiency. Drew de Michaelis was the operational maestro behind Omega Society during its pinnacle, when it was serving upwards of 4,500 families each year from just one Southern California location. This achievement was far from coincidental; it was the result of a meticulous, data-focused playbook designed for peak operational efficiency. In this enlightening episode, Drew unveils the es...2023-10-2643 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastThe Dark Secret Behind Deathcare: Surge of Bankruptcies Coming? | #40Funeral home competition is becoming increasingly intense due to a combination of factors, such as the lack of future generations wanting to continue the family business and increased investment in the field. An experienced death care professional had four clients call her in the week before a conference, expressing their intention to file for bankruptcy. This is unprecedented and raises concerns about the state of the funeral profession. The clients that called her shared common themes: low sales, dwindling case numbers, being traditional smaller firms in rural areas, and not keeping up with the times. Th...2023-10-1209 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastMaggie McMillan (Wiefels): Why raising prices, losing customers, can still make more money | #39Maggie McMillan quietly runs the #1 funeral company in Southern California, one largest and busiest regions in the country. Serving thousands of families a year. Her expansive funeral empire covers everything from prestigious full-service funeral homes, an eco-conscious natural burial cemetery, a handful of online cremation services, and an essential B2B mortuary services company. Just a few of her properties include: Wiefels & Son Mortuary, Wiefels Cremation and Funeral Services, All California Cremation, Simply Remembered, Joshua Tree Memorial Park. In this episode, Maggie pulls back the curtain on her recipe for success, showing commitment to excellence wi...2023-10-0556 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastLet ChatGPT Help Write Emails to Your Funeral Customers | #38I want to show you how to let AI help you write email correspondence with your customers. Itâs no shock that we write a lot of emails back and forth to our customers everyday. Letâs experiment with ChatGPT to see how it can help respond to a normal customer email.  For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.comListen on Spotify or Apple PodcastsWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com2023-09-2807 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow to use ChatGPT to respond to Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews on your funeral business | #37Now, while AI has some limitations, it also provides tremendous opportunities to save time and outsource things weâre not good at. In todayâs video, we will share how to use ChatGPT to respond to google reviews.For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.comListen on Spotify or Apple PodcastsWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.comLearn the playbook responsible for growing my family business to over 4500 calls a ye...2023-09-2607 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastJimmy Lucas (Lucas Family Funeral Homes): 16 funeral homes, 110 employees & making it look easy | #36Todayâs guest is Jimmy Lucas. Jimmy is a licensed funeral director, a certified crematory operator, a licensed advance funeral planner, licensed social worker, co-owner of a quaint funeral and cremation business which consists of over 15 funeral homes, 1 online cremation business, 2 crematories. He has over 110 employees and they serve over 3100 families per year. Heâs also currently on the board of CANA, past president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, and also serves on the advisory board of the Passare.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(02:17) How Jimmy and his family got into the...2023-09-2257 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastAlexandra Jo: Why Parting Stone isnât for everyone and thatâs ok | #35Todayâs guest is Alexandra Jo. Alexandra is the host of the death positive Podcast, Death Curious, is a platform for death exploration and a community of like-minded, death positive people. They are also the Director of Outreach and Education of Parting Stone, the company responsible for creating solidified cremated remains â most famously known for their Shark Tank fame. Death Curious Podcast: https://deathcurious.com Parting Stone: https://partingstone.com Timestamps (00:00) Intro(00:45) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:53) The Story of Parting Stone(05:07) What Parting Stone's customer journey look like(12:16) Some critiqu...2023-09-1252 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastSelf-care in Death Care Part II: How to handle job burnout | #34Hi and welcome to the Direct Cremation podcast. Iâm your host, Will de Michaelis, death care consultant and former manager of the Omega Society, a large cremation brand that served over 4500 families per year. Youâll notice today, Iâm by myself. Iâm going to bring you a different kind of content than I usually do with Tyler. We'll be talking part 2 for self-care in the death care profession. My goal is to speak to death care professionals directly and acknowledge those difficulties of the profession and talk about ways to make our way through together...2023-08-2921 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastSelf-Care in Death Care | #33Hi and welcome to the Direct Cremation podcast. Iâm your host, Will de Michaelis, death care consultant and former manager of the Omega Society, a large cremation brand that served over 4500 families per year. Youâll notice today, Iâm by myself. Iâm going to bring you a different kind of content than I usually do with Tyler. We'll be talking about self-care in the death care profession. My goal is to speak to death care professionals directly and acknowledge those difficulties of the profession and talk about ways to make our way through together.Time...2023-08-2226 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastChris Boggs (Cremation Society of Maryland): How this funeral home does 5,000 calls a year | #32In this episode, we bring on Chris Boggs. Chris Boggs is the Chief Operating Officer of the Cremation Society of Maryland, McNabb Funeral Home, Metro Crematory, and Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home. Cremation Society of Maryland alone does 5,000 calls per year. Chris shares the insights in such a running a high volume and efficient deathcare operation.Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast (03:35) The beginning of Chris' professional career (09:33) How is the cremation society of Maryland team structured? (12:49) The business model (14:32) The phone answering system (20:02) âWe only have one shotâ (22:13...2023-08-1549 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastWill's Masterclass: Relationship Marketing for Funeral Homes SuccessWill de Michaelis is the former manager of the Omega Society, a cremation brand that serves over 4,500 families per year. After spending over a decade growing the Omega Society, Will was able to identify some of the most important elements that made the Omega Society such a huge success. Today, Will is going to share that insight with us and let us know what heâs been working on. Will's Masterclass signup link: https://www.wdgroupconsulting.comTimestamps (00:00) Intro 01:54 Will's takeaways from Omega Society (04:09) The most important thing to Omega Society's success ...2023-08-0328 min
The Direct Cremation PodcastWelton Hong (Ring Ring Marketing): What successful funeral home marketing looks like in 2023 | #30In this episode, we bring on Welton Hong. Welton is the founder of funeral home marketing agency Ring Ring Marketing.Welton shares what successful death care marketing looks like in 2023. He tells us the biggest things you need to be doing as a funeral home owner to win more cases today.Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:48) Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast (01:54) What does Ring Ring do? (03:16) Changes to death care marketing after COVID (12:22) Shifts happening in the different types of death care businesses (15:21) Welton's tips for website conversions (18:32) How your we...2023-07-1746 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastKevin Waterston (Cremation Society of Minnesota): Selling a cremation business for millions | #29Today's guest is Kevin Waterston. If you could dream up a list of professional death care accomplishments, Kevin has probably exceeded that list. From living above the funeral home until age 21, to then starting, growing, and eventually selling one of the largest cremation societies in the world, and somehow mixing in being a past president of the Cremation Association of North America & Funeral and Memorial Information Council, he has done it all and from speaking with him, heâs still hungry for more. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast (01:53) How it started...2023-06-2852 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastThe entrepreneurial journey behind Parting Pro | #28In today's episode, we're putting Tyler in the hot seat to explore the story behind Parting Pro. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:54) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast (02:38) The origin of Parting Pro (07:57) Getting into a program in silicon valley (11:04) What were the conversations like during the pivot (14:02) Parting Pro's first big sale (17:45) Death care moves really slow (21:07) Parting Pro now vs. 5 years ago (22:57) Funeral homes know what their problem is (24:26) Will's hot seat question (26:15) The mission of Parting Pro (29:26) What does the future hold for Parting Pro? (33:16) How Parting Pr...2023-06-1442 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastShould your funeral home handle your own removals? | #27In this episode, we discuss the important topic of removals in the death care industry. Whether you're a new funeral home or an established cremation brand, deciding whether to handle removals internally or outsource them is a critical consideration. We explore the pros and cons of both approaches and provide practical advice for making the best decision based on your business needs. Join us as we navigate this crucial aspect of the industry and offer valuable insights to help you streamline your operations. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:18) - Welcome to the Direct Cremation Podcast (02:55) - Remo...2023-05-2436 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastLeili McMurrough (Worsham College): How to hire and retain Gen-Z funeral directors | #26Todayâs guest is Leili McMurrough. Leili is a licensed funeral director and licensed attorney in Illinois. Sheâs also the Program Director AND OWNER of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and an expert on the Gen-Z workforce in the industry. Leili sits on the American Board of Funeral Service Education as the Accreditation Chair, overseeing all the Mortuary Science programs across the country. Weâre happy to have her on the podcast to discuss the changing workforce in deathcare and what you should consider when hiring, managing, and retaining young professionals in the death care industry. Timesta...2023-05-161h 28The Direct Cremation PodcastPierce Dempsey (Leaf Cremation): How this cremation business gained 800+ 5 star reviews | #25Today's guest is Pierce Dempsey. As the VP of Operations and Marketing of Leaf Cremation, Pierce has helped the business gather over 900 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. Pierce is a 4th generation funeral service provider. And his family business has created quite the funeral service empire in the North Georgia and Central Ohio areas. Pierce is on the Board of Directors for both the Georgia Cemetery Association and the Southern Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association. If there was a 30 under 30 in death care, he would definitely make the list.Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:39) - Wel...2023-04-2650 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastPoul Lemasters: How FTC's Funeral Rule overhaul will affect your business | #24Besides cremation, nothing lasts forever. The funeral rule is no exception, every 10 years the FTC has to re-evaluate every rule they have. In the past few years the FTC is looking to make a major overhaul to the funeral rule. In todayâs episode, we have Poul Lemasters, death care lawyer to the stars, to update us on all the changes up for evaluation, where weâre at in the process, and what these changes may mean for your funeral home in the future. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:56) - Welcome Poul Lemasters (02:08) - What is t...2023-03-1446 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastEfficiency or Die: Speaking at 2023 Cremation Association of North America Symposium | #23Tyler and Will just got back from the 2023 Cremation Association of North America Symposium in fabulous Las Vegas. Where The Direct Cremation Podcast gave a talk: Efficiency or Die. Today, weâll debrief you on our experience. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:45) - Will's first death care conference (04:06) - Our talk: Efficiency or Die (06:53) - Marketing efficiency (17:02) - Sales efficiency (25:06) - Operational efficiency (39:24) - Biggest takeaways from the SymposiumFor Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at directcremation.comListen on Spotify or Apple PodcastsWant to st...2023-03-0247 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastJake Johnson (Johnson Consulting Group): How to increase the value of your funeral home business | #22Jake Johnson is President and CEO of Johnson Consulting Group, the funeral professionâs premiere funeral home and cemetery broker and consulting firm. Jake is also a successful multi-funeral home owner, a tech entrepreneur, a car collector that would give Jay Leno a run for his money, and a published author. With his book, âStaying Alive in the Funeral & Cemetery Profession.â His experience has made him an expert in funeral home valuations, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and customer experience in death care. Johnson Consulting Group Website Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:51) - Introducing...2023-02-151h 09The Direct Cremation PodcastNicki Wiedeman (Dead Ringers): How Successful Funeral Homes Should Answer the Phone | #21Nicki Wiedeman is the First Call Faciliator of Dead Ringers. Dead Ringers is the death careâs premiere mystery shop provider. Since its founding in 2015, they've placed 8,500 calls throughout the US and Canada. Dead Ringers specializes in systematically helping individual funeral homes improve their phone etiquette. Theyâve mastered the art of customer service and help funeral home teams level-up and serve families better.Nicki answered her first customer service call in 1989 for a bank in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has since cultivated a 30-year career in improving the customer experience. Sheâs on a mission to remedy the su...2023-01-2445 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastHow building strong hospice relationships grew Omega Society to 4,500 cases a year | #20Will de Michaelis grew Omega Society to one of the largest cremation brands in the world with over 4,500 cases a year. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Will to learn how he leveraged strong relationships with hospices to grow. Will walks through his hospice playbook for funeral directors to make their own.Timestamps (00:00) - Intro(01:10) - How relationships with hospices helped Omega Society grow to 4,500 cases a year (02:33) - Why should a funeral home care about hospice? (04:42) - The hospice team and how do they interact with families (07:55) - What the soci...2023-01-0337 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastBarbara Kemmis (Executive Director, CANA): Attitudes Towards Cremated Remains in Households | #19Barbara Kemmis is the Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America. Barbara gives us a sneak preview of CANA's latest Cremation Memorialization Research - Attitudes Towards Cremated Remains in Households. Weâll go through interesting data regarding COVID, death rates, and baby boomers. By the end of this, youâll either have a new understanding of the cremation family, or youâll have statistical proof to validate your feelings about them. Learn more about CANA: cremationassociation.orgTimestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:50) - Welcome CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis (02:27) - CANA's latest research o...2022-12-201h 07The Direct Cremation PodcastLarry Stuart Jr. (Raven Plume Consulting): Secrets of Top 1% Funeral Home & Crematory Owners | #18Larry Stuart Jr. is the founder of Raven Plume Consulting. Larry has spent the last 26 years immersed in cremations. From understanding how to run and operate the crematory all the way to marketing to and arranging with the family, he is an expert when it comes to running an effective cremation company. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of CANA, former editor in Chief of the Cremationist, a Cremation Coach with ICCFA, a past member of the National Funeral Directors Association Exhibitor Advisory Committee and was formerly a Trustee and Past President of t...2022-12-061h 12The Direct Cremation PodcastMandy Benoualid (Keeper, Founder): Why Your Obituaries Might Fall Short | #17Mandy Benoualid is the Founder and President of Keeper Memorials, an online memorial platform dedicated to memorializing the lives of the departed. She is the Editor of TalkDeath, a death-positive media company whose mission is to encourage positive and constructive conversations around death and dying. Mandy is also on the board of the International Memorialization Supply Association, the Ernest Becker Foundation, and Board Member of the Speaking Grief Documentary by WPSU. Learn more about Keeper and TalkDeath:Keeper Website: mykeeper.com TalkDeath Website: talkdeath.com Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:40 - Welcome Keeper Memorials' Mandy...2022-11-2952 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastDavid Perfito (White Rose Aqua Cremation): Why Families are Choosing Aqua Cremation Over the Flame | #16David Perfito is the founder of White Rose Aqua Cremation and was instrumental in developing Californiaâs first alkaline hydrolysis facility. He is a technical school graduate of the U.S. Navy, a multi-certified medical equipment industry technician, and a crematory manager. He is pioneering the gentle water cremation movement.White Rose Aqua Cremation is the first alkaline hydrolysis facility for human final disposition in California. As of right now, they are the ONLY on-site aqua cremation facility in California that serves the public.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro(00:41) - Welcome White Rose Aqua Cremation's Da...2022-11-2246 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastJill Schock (Death Doula LA): Guiding Clients Transition Through the End-of-Life Process | #15In an industry concentrating heavily on cremation and burial, Death Doula LA is a shining light for those who are looking for a more personalized end-of-life experience.Founded by Jill Schock, a certified doula, DDLA aims to help her clients navigate end-of-life arrangements, embrace their own style in that experience, and empower them to have meaningful conversations with their loved ones.In this episode we discuss:What is a Death Doula? Jill's background and how it led you to found DDLA?What Jill thinks the current death care industry does well and what needs w...2022-11-1559 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastKevin McKay (Cremation Recycling, Manager): Don't Recycle Another Metal Without This | #14Kevin McKay is the manager of Cremation Recycling. He has quickly become the face of transparency of precious metal recycling in death care. In this episode we learn why transparency could save you from losing a LOT of money.Timestamps(00:00) - Introduction(00:37) - Introduction of Kevin McKay, Manager of Cremation Recycling(03:43) - The one minute elevator pitch of Cremation Recycling(04:30) - Transparency makes Cremation Recycling different(08:06) - How do the metals get extracted, refined, and repurposed?(14:00) - Who Cremation Recycling will not work with(15:40) - What do they do with...2022-11-0848 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastRyan Thogmartin (Disrupt Media, Founder): 100% Authenticity Guaranteed | #13Ryan Thogmartin knows how to make noise. No matter how you feel about him, the point is you (think) you know him. In this episode we learn about Ryan's background and see where he came from and how he's grown to where he is today.In this episode, we discuss:How Ryan got duped into death care.How his brand represents his authentic self.What companies have failed in death care and what companies are working.How his family has become a staple at death care conventions.What are Ryan's grails?What death care look like...2022-11-0148 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastThe Secrets Behind The Most Successful Online Cremation Businesses | #12Hey Funeral Directors! Just as the family needs are changing, so must the way we do business. In this episode, Tyler quizzes Will on some of the most surprising data points from over 150,000 online arrangements. Will you get them right?Timestamps(00:00) - Teaser Introduction(01:15) - First Video Podcast(03:00) - What is Parting Pro?(04:02) - Most Common Decedent Name(05:12) - How Should You Price Your Online Arrangement Packages(11:48) - The Biggest Cremation Brands Have a lot of Similarities(14:48) - How Often Do Families Choose the Black Plastic Container?(18:37) - The...2022-10-2541 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastDonna Baranyay (Hospice Chaplain): What Funeral Directors Need to Understand About Hospice and End of Life | #11Donna Baranyay has a long career in all things end of life. Even though she has been a hospice chaplain for 14 years, she is also a death doula and has her celebrant certification and a certificate in thanatology. If there's anyone who has the answers around dying, she's your person.In this episode, we discuss:What funeral directors can do to help families earlier in the dying process.What exactly hospice is.What do death doulas do to fill the gaps in the dying process.How you can help your local hospice social worker.What does...2022-10-1155 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastGarret Ozar (Eterneva, Founder): Reshaping the Grieving Journey with Sharks and Diamonds | #10Garrett Ozar has a story that is nothing less than extraordinary. From pitching his company, Eterneva, on Shark Tank and securing an investment from Billionaire Mark Cuban, to playing college baseball, or to having to watch his survivor daughter battle cancer, Garrett's journey is quite remarkable. In this episode, we discuss:His entrepreneurial journey and learnings through prior fails and debt.How Eterneva, a company that turns ashes into diamonds, was started.Why Eterneva doesn't just sell diamonds.His young daughter's journey through a cancerous tumor lead him to St. Jude Children's Hospital.How the customer e...2022-09-0157 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastPoul Lemasters (Death Care Lawyer): Families Can Handle the Truth, So Tell Them | #9Poul Lemasters wears many, many hats. He's a death care lawyer, a funeral director, entrepreneur, and a published author. In his book, Cover Your Ass: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Business, Poul details the not-so-obvious situations that happen in your business that you should watch out for.In this episode, we discuss:Possible FTC changes to the funeral rule.What happened to Heritage/Legacy Cremation Providers (the illegal one).Why shielding your families from what you do in the funeral home is hurting your business.Transparency, transparency, transparency.How proper phone etiquette is one of...2022-08-1849 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastDrew de Michaelis (Omega Society): Reaching the Funeral Service Breaking Point | #8Drew de Michaelis had a short, yet impactful stint in death care. With a background in customer experience and management at Harry's, a mission-driven consumer brand, Drew de Michaelis was brought in as the Director of Growth and Operations at The Omega Society. He helped turn the massive cremation brand into a technology-driven business that was able to serve over 4,500 families per year during COVID.In this episode, we discuss:What changes he brought to the customer experience in death care.How bringing technology into the funeral home was necessary for survival.What surprised him coming...2022-08-1336 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastBarbara Kemmis (CANA, Executive Director): Cremation is Preparation for Memorialization | #7Barbara Kemmis is the Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America. This year, CANA will be holding the 104th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention, August 17-19 at the Omni Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta Georgia. She can't wait to see you all there with her big hair, sharp glasses, and amazing lineup of speakers.In this episode, we discuss:Why join the Cremation Association of North America?What to expect a the 104th Annual Convention in Atlanta, GA?Why families that ask for price are actually looking for more.The race to the bottom is over...2022-08-0548 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastWelton Hong (Ring Ring Marketing): Revealing the Secrets to Funeral Home Marketing Success | #6Welton Hong is one of the most well-respected people in death care. As the CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, Welton Hong has made the unlikely journey of becoming one of the best to help funeral homes successfully market their services to families. His customers sing their praises and attribute a lot of their marketing success to his company.In this episode we discuss:Why pay a marketing company in death care?What is the single most important thing a funeral home needs to do to stand out online?Do you need to be number one on...2022-07-2941 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastGlenda Stansbury (Celebrant Trainer): How to Truly Meet the Needs of Families | #5Glenda Stansbury has an impressive resume: certified celebrant trainer, licensed embalmer and funeral director, VP of marketing & development at Insight Books, Dean of College of 21st Century Services at ICCFAU, Adjust Professor at two different colleges, and the winner of this year's ICCFA Lasting Impact Award.In this episodes we discuss:What makes a celebrant so important?Who would benefit from celebrant training? (Hint: everyone)Why families still need an event even with the rising direct cremation trend.Why celebrants aren't only for the non-religious families.What does death care look like in 10 years, according to...2022-07-2038 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastTitan Casket: When an Amazon Alumni and Casket Veteran Create Magic Together | #4Scott Ginsberg and Joshua Siegel started Titan Casket only a few years ago. Since then, theyâve seen huge growth selling high-quality, affordable caskets directly to families. Being able to create and deliver customer caskets to a funeral home in only a few days puts Titan Casket in a class of its own. Started by a seasoned casket manufacturer and an Amazon alumni, Titan Casket gets a lot of things right. In this episode we discuss:How did Titan Casket start?Is selling direct-to-consumer anti-funeral home?What is the craziest custom casket theyâve created?Red Sox...2022-07-1423 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastEric Neuhaus (Green Cremation Texas): From Tech Entrepreneur to Funeral Home Owner | #3Eric Neuhaus has grown his funeral home, Green Cremation Texas, to be able to serve thousands of families in only 3 short years. Green Cremation Texas touts itself as the most environmentally friendly cremation process possible, while keeping an affordable price, and amassing over 300 5-star reviews on all the social media platforms.In this episode we discuss:What role does technology play in operating his funeral home.What does death care look like in 10 years, according to Eric.Why being a first generation funeral home owner has helped him grow Green Cremation Texas.Hiring party planners in...2022-07-0743 minThe Direct Cremation PodcastAshley Jones (Cascade Funeral Directors): From Apprentice to General Manager at a 5,000+ Case Cremation Brand | #2Ashley Jones started as an apprentice but grew to managing almost half of 60-person Cascade Funeral Directors, the massive operation averaging over 5,000 cases per year. In this episode we discuss:What efficiency means in a funeral operation as large as Cascade Funeral Directors.Why phone etiquette is so important to the family experience.What COVID did to the staff.The similarities of Ashley and Will's experiences as funeral directors.What will death care look like in 10 years, according to Ashley.Tell us what you think! Email Tyler (tyler@directcremation.com) or Will de Michaelis (will@d...2022-06-2446 minThe Direct Cremation Podcast4,500 Cremations a Year: Introducing Will de Michaelis (Omega Society, Funeral Director) | #1In death care, few individuals will experience what Will de Michaelis has achieved. From growing and managing one of the largest cremation brands in the world (3,000 cremations/year), to thriving and keeping his sanity during COVID-19, to helping Omega Society through an 8-figure acquisition by Foundation Partners, Will is an expert at operating a low-cost cremation brand. In this episode we discuss:The differences between a full-service and an affordable cremation brand.What does a business that serves 3,000+ families per year look like internally.What being a funeral director during COVID was like.What lasting effects d...2022-06-2027 min