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.

Guests Tim Bridgers, Senior Vice President of the Funeral Home and Cemetery Lending team at Live Oak Bank, and Kathleen Ervin, Senior Account Manager with Heartland Payment Systems (formerly known as TSYS), join our host, Gabe Schauf to discuss funeral finance issues.

The holiday season is upon us – a time to connect with family and friends, although this year our gatherings are primarily virtual. In this episode of A Brush with Death, our host Gabe Schauf reminisces with his grandfather, Charles Nelson, using the Have the Talk of a Lifetime Conversation Cards. These amazing conversation starters are part of NFDA’s Remembering A Life community engagement initiative.

Veterans Day episode. Our guest is Danielle Wilk, a mortuary specialist at Dover Air Force Base. Danielle discusses her team, what they do on a daily basis, and what it’s like providing funeral services as part of a military operation. She also provides insight into the process of caring for our fallen heroes from the battlefield to the final committal.

Get ready to be inspired!  Convention keynote speakers Micah Solomon and Brett Culp join host Gabe Schauf to give you a peek behind the curtain of the NFDA 2020 Virtual International Convention & Expo!

Top-rated speakers Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender join host Gabe Schauf to discuss how to improve your business by seeing it through the eyes of the families you serve. They’ll also provide a preview of the topic they’ll present at the NFDA 2020 Virtual International Convention & Expo: Move Over Millennials – What it Takes to Connect with Generation Z.

As we approach the 19th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, host Gabe Schauf visits with New York funeral director Dominic Carella. Dominic was the first funeral director called on 9/11 – he and his team provided care for 79 families that lost loved ones to the tragic events of that fateful day.

With cremation rates hitting 55% nationwide, NFDA recognized the need to offer a Cremation Certification Program developed by funeral directors for funeral directors. Mike Nicodemus, Vice President of Cremation Services, joins Gabe Schauf to discuss how this program provides attendees with the framework to run an impeccable, successful operation. While the Cremation Certification Program has been a staple of NFDA’s outstanding education options, it is now offered virtually giving attendees access to critical information without the need to travel. Past attendees Francheskia Fenderson and Brandon Rogers-Plott join in to talk about their experience and the value it has brought to their firms.

Talking to a child about death and loss can be challenging and parents are often looking for resources to help. In this episode, Gabe Schauf sits down with Lacie Bruckner and Katherine Pendergast, co-authors of the “In Loving Memory” books, which teach children about funerals, cremation and the grief journey. Lacie and Kat share their inspiration for the books; provide ideas for talking to children about death; and suggest ways parents and funeral directors can involve children in the funeral.

In this episode of A Brush with Death, Gabe Schauf is joined by five members of the Class of 2020 who share their experiences in mortuary science school and the funeral service profession. If you are curious about what the life of a mortuary student is like, this is a great place to start.