Podcast

How engaged is your funeral home with your surrounding community?  It is no secret that getting involved can be beneficial both personally and professionally, but what are some best practices and how can you get started?  In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by Traci Macz, Joe E Pray, and Russ Weeks, three funeral directors who work hard to serve those in their communities beyond the visitations and funerals.  Hear what they are participating in and how you, your staff, and your community can all benefit.

Are you aware of the current funeral consumer trends? Are you looking to modify how you serve your families in the new year? In this episode, Ed Defort and David Nixon join host, Gabe Schauf, to discuss the results of the latest NFDA consumer survey and where the families we serve are finding value in what we offer.

The Federal Trade Commission has started the process of updating the Funeral Rule, which regulates how our profession operates and provides specific rights to consumers seeking burial and cremation services. In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by NFDA's General Counsel, Chris Farmer, to share what is being discussed, why it matters, and the importance of funeral professionals getting involved in the process.

Dean Lambert, Vice President-Corporate Communications with Homesteaders Life Company, joins Gabe to discuss "The Love Always Project". Its purpose is to encourage people to change their mindset and take a more positive and proactive approach to pre-planning and end-of-life discussions.

Host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by Dr. Jason Troyer to discuss the stresses that come from the seasonal combination of grief, serving families, and the holiday hustle. Finding effective ways to meet the needs of the families being served while minimizing burnout should be on every funeral director's holiday wishlist.

Embalmer, Karl Wenzel, joins Gabe Schauf to discuss his approach to the embalming process and how he honed his craft. If you are an embalmer or are interested in being one, this episode is for you.

Host, Gabe Schauf is joined by three of the workshop presenters you will hear at the International Convention and Expo. Vanessa Misoon, Dana Goodell, and Jeff Zealley share about themselves and what to expect from their presentations in Baltimore.

Meet the speakers headlining the NFDA's International Convention and Expo in Baltimore. Kindra Hall, Dakota Meyer and John O'Leary join host, Gabe Schauf to share about themselves and a little about what they will be discussing in Baltimore.

Host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by Jolena Grande, funeral director and board president of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Jolena and Gabe talk about how mortuary school curriculum is developed, the National Board Exams, how funeral homes can help support funeral education and more!

Funeral Director and author, Todd Harra, joins Gabe on the podcast to discuss his new book Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral. This is a book for funeral directors and non-funeral directors, alike. Gabe and Todd talk about how understanding the history of our profession can make us better in the present and help us to plan for the future.