Gabe interviews convention keynote speakers Duncan Wardle and Ben Nemtin. These two dynamic individuals will address the power of “thinking different” and resilience in the face of uncertainty. There’s so much to learn and be inspired by!

The NFDA Convention is only a few weeks away! Let’s get a glimpse into some of the amazing workshop sessions at this event.

NFDA is commemorating the tragic 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a special episode of A Brush with Death.

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf speaks with Kelly Manion, the Director of Community Engagement for the Funeral Service Foundation, and two scholarship recipients. The discussion focuses on how the Foundation invests in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities.

When a family chooses to donate a loved one’s body for education or research, they do so with the hope that they will help others. Regrettably, many are unknowingly contributing to a for-profit industry in which the body of their loved one could be traded as raw material in a largely unregulated national market. Congress is taking a significant step toward protecting the dignity of donors and offering peace of mind to families with the introduction of the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2021.

It’s the month of June, and host Gabe Schauf speaks with four Mortuary Science School graduates from across the country to discuss why they entered funeral service and what they anticipate going into the future.

The month of May brings Memorial Day – a time to honor the millions of people in uniform who gave their lives for this country. Journey to Serve is a unique campaign launched in 2021 by the Funeral Service Foundation and the ICCFA Educational Foundation. This collaborative effort between organizations aims to engage, recruit and hire more military veterans to careers in the funeral service profession – including meaningful work in funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, funeral vendors, and all levels of support roles. Join Gabe Schauf as he explores this amazing project with Bob Arrington, founder of Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematorium, and Navy Petty Officer and funeral honor coordinator, Jennifer Jones.

Earth Day is April 22, and host Gabe Schauf’s interview with Amy Cunningham touches on a timely topic. Amy is a licensed funeral director and celebrant in Brooklyn, New York who specializes in green burials. In this episode, she discusses earth-friendly options chosen by many families to say farewell to a loved one.

Host Gabe Schauf speaks with NFDA Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Lesley Witter. Lesley is based in Washington D.C. working for the funeral profession within the halls of the federal government. She provides insight into her role as an advocate, and how legislation that is advantageous to funeral service professionals is advanced.

NFDA CEO Christine Pepper and NFDA Board President Bryant Hightower discuss what’s ahead in 2021 with our host, Gabe Schauf. Christine and Bryant share their thoughts on topics ranging from technology to advocacy to education in this episode of A Brush with Death. Tune in to hear their thoughts about what’s in store for funeral service professionals – and for those who support them. Serving our families and communities will remain the focus of the profession, but the methods and processes are forever changing.