About the Episode: In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Derrick Husmann and Jake Johnson of Johnson Consulting Group, for part two of the "Funeral Rescue" series.
Together, they walk through the Four Pillars of Funeral Home Success — the framework Jake and Derrick use when helping firms regain stability and rebuild momentum. The discussion looks at each pillar through a practical lens, examining how leadership, culture, finances, and operations influence one another and shape long-term performance.
Rather than offering quick fixes, the conversation highlights realistic steps funeral homes can take to strengthen their foundation, support their staff, and better serve their communities.
This episode continues the thoughtful, candid look at what modern funeral home leadership requires, and how meaningful change often starts with clarity, consistency, and intentional action.
Connect with Derrick and Jake or learn more here: Johnson Consulting Group
About Jake: Jake Johnson is the President & CEO at Johnson Consulting.
Jake began his career as one of the first employees at the startup funeral business acquisition firm Keystone Group Holdings (now Dignity Memorial Network) as Associate Director, Corporate Development. This job included financial analysis, bank and equity partner presentations, along with accounting and system setup with acquired funeral homes. Jake then went on to work at Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries in Las Vegas, NV which at the time handled 6,500 families and over 2,200 cemetery cases out of 6 locations. There Jake did funeral directing, funeral arranging, funeral home management, cemetery operations management, and sat on the executive board.
Jake’s is a current owner of a funeral home and cremation center in Sun City, Arizona along with a small-town funeral home in Batesville, IN. Jake’s education includes a BSBA degree in Management with an emphasis in Accounting and Financial Analysis from Xavier University. His foundation in accounting and EBITDA forecasting is complemented by technology and management qualifications in business development and operations. He is also a licensed REALTOR in Arizona and a Registered Investment Advisor Representative. He is currently a member of the Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Arizona Chapter and a member-emeritus of the Funeral Service Foundation Board.
About Derrick: Derrick Husmann is a Senior Business Consultant with Johnson Consulting Group. Derrick graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Management. He began his career as a funeral director serving family-owned funeral homes throughout Southern Illinois.
In 2008, Derrick joined Batesville as a sales representative covering Illinois and Missouri, where he earned numerous honors, including the President’s Circle, the Council of Excellence for Merchandising, and recognition as the 2010 Regional Sales Representative of the Year.
In 2016, Derrick joined Remembrance Group as Director of Corporate Development and was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2018. In April 2023, he joined Johnson Consulting Group as a Senior Business Consultant. Throughout his career, Derrick has been responsible for operational leadership, sales growth, merchandising, profitability improvement, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance support.
For more than 20 years, Derrick has also served as a Mortuary Officer for the Federal Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT), Region V. In addition, he is the Assistant Fire Chief for the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department.