About the Episode: In this episode, host Gabe Schauf sits down with four funeral home owners from across the country to explore how they recruit and retain the right people. Each guest shares their unique approach to finding employees who fit their culture, developing them into long-term team members, and building a workplace where people want to stay. Whether you’re looking for new hiring ideas or ways to strengthen your team, this conversation offers real-world strategies and insights from those who’ve made it work.
Guests in this episode include:
- Chris Christian - Owner of Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville, Tennessee (1:38)
- Jeff Smith - Owner of Smith Family Funeral Homes in Little Rock, Arkansas (13:59)
- Dr. Camelia Clarke - Owner of Paradise Memorial Funeral Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (26:07)
- Randy Anderson - Retired owner of Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Alabama (39:42)
About Chris: Chris Christian is a first-generation funeral director and embalmer, and co-owner of Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville, Tennessee. After earning his mortuary science degree in 1990, Chris spent a decade with a family-owned firm before co-founding Christian-Sells Funeral Home in 2001. In 2015, he and his partner purchased their former firm and transformed it into a venue center, expanding their service to the community.
Chris has been an active leader in both state and national associations. He is a past president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and currently serves on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Board of Directors. Over the years, he has served on the NFDA Policy Board, Budget Task Force, Spokesperson Team, and Audit Task Force.
Chris is deeply committed to advocacy and professionalism within the death care profession. He is honored to represent funeral directors across the nation and to help protect and advance the work of those who care for others in their most difficult times.
Chris is married to Stacy Edwards Christian and proudly calls East Tennessee home.
About Jeff: Jeff Smith is a third-generation owner. His grandfather founded their first funeral home in 1955, and his father then ran the single location funeral home. Jeff has expanded upon their success, in 15 years growing it to nine funeral homes and a cremation society serving over 3000 families annually.
Growing up Jeff worked in the funeral home, but after college and graduate school he started a mortgage company. In 2006 he returned to funeral service and quickly noticed the business had changed dramatically. The challenges of no service, tighter margins, and under-utilized capacity awaited. Jeff has focused on embracing these issues as opportunities and is moving his business ahead with optimism.
Jeff is married to Leslie, and they have three children. He is a Chairman Elect of the Funeral Service Foundation, past president of AFDA, a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, and serves his community on various boards.
About Camelia: Dr. Camelia L. Clarke is a 30-year death care expert. She owns Paradise Memorial Funeral Home, Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home, Cremation Center of Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Casket Supply. She previously held executive leadership positions with local, regional, and national trade associations in the death care industry. She is a spokesperson for the National Funeral Directors Association, representing over 20,000 funeral homes worldwide.
Dr. Clarke’s educational background includes an Applied Science Diploma from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, a B.S. Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, an Executive MBA from Marquette University, and a Doctor of Business Administration program (DBA) from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She has published several research papers in top-tier academic journals.
Dr. Clarke has extensive non-profit board volunteerism experience, including serving on the Outreach Community Health Center board for ten years. In 2022, Dr. Clarke was elected to the board of directors of Federated Mutual Insurance, a Fortune 1000 company in Minnesota serving 46,000 business owners across the US. She is a founding member of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Entrepreneurial Organization and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter in Milwaukee, WI, and Cream City (WI) Chapter Links, Incorporated.
She is a longtime member of Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ. She is the proud wife of Marcel and mother of Raja’ee, Jazzmin, Mariah, and Mia.
About Randy: Randy Anderson, CFSP, CCO, and CAS, is a nationally recognized funeral service professional and leader. A graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery and Jefferson State Community College, Randy has dedicated more than three decades to serving families with care and professionalism. He is a past president of the National Funeral Directors Association, a Life Member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, and was named 2022 Professional of the Year by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
In addition to his leadership roles, Randy has taught future funeral service professionals at Jefferson State, served his community through education and church leadership, and was honored as Alexander City’s Businessperson of the Year in 2023.
Today, he serves as the President and CEO of True Voice Employee Solutions and is the founder of Crimson Acres Farm, where he enjoys life with his wife, Kim, their two sons, and his grandson, Aaron.