Podcast

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.

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.