Podcast

About the Episode:  Host Gabe Schauf sits down with recent graduates Natasha Jules, William Trotman, Cameron Smith, and Trinity Cornelius. They share what inspired them to pursue a career in funeral service, the lessons they’ve learned through their schooling and apprenticeships, and what lies ahead as they begin their careers.

About Natasha:  My name is Natasha R. Jules.  I was born and raised in NY. I was subject to death at a young age, when I discovered a deceased neighbor in my building. In high school, I joined the military. After the military, I had my share of law enforcement jobs (NY and FL Corrections, Homeland Security, and Police Department). I hold cosmetology licenses in NJ and FL. I graduated from Miami Dade College with 2 Associate degrees, Mortuary Science and Pre-Veterinary. I am back in school now completing my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigation, due to graduate in April 2026. My hobbies include giving haircuts to the homeless and feeding them, every third Sunday of the month in downtown Miami.

About William:  My name is William 'Finn' Trotman. I'm a graduate from the University of the District of Columbia's Mortuary Science Program and was President for their Mortuary Science Student Association ('24 - '25). Originally, I had worked for the U.S. Census Bureau for about 10 years doing computer programming work before deciding to go back to school to find a career I was more passionate about. While in school, I began working at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral home and have just recently begun my full-time apprenticeship with them. My long-term goal is to pursue teaching in the mortuary science field and to use my skills in immersive technology to advance the experience for both students in school and for families in the funeral home.

About Cameron:  My name is Cameron Smith, and I live in North Mississippi. I graduated from Northwest Mississippi Community College with an associate’s degree in Funeral Service Technology. I have also received my crematory operating certification. When I’m not prepping for my board exams, I enjoy spending time either outside in the sun or with my cats Barbara, Chainsaw, and Thomas. I plan to pursue a career in both embalming and funeral directing.

About Trinity:  My name is Trinity Cornelius.  From a young age, death was a familiar and peaceful part of life for me. At 16, I planned to enter the medical field, but it lacked the personal connection I craved. Memories of caring for loved ones' graves with my family inspired me to pursue funeral service instead. I started working in a funeral home at 19, and it confirmed my calling.  Now in my final semester at Wayne State University’s Mortuary Science Program, I’m dedicated to providing meaningful care that supports families through loss. My mission is to offer the same compassion and dignity I once received and help others begin to heal.

About the Episode:  In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf is joined by Lanae Strovers, Iowa funeral director and Trainer with the NFDA. to learn about her organization, The Final Salute. 

Since 2018, The Final Salute has worked to locate and identify the unclaimed cremated remains of Veterans, children and civilians and provide them the proper burial services and honors they deserve.  

The ultimate goal is to reunite each unclaimed urn with family or secure a final resting place for that individual.

Learn more about The Final Salute by visiting their Facebook page

About Lanae:  Lanae Strovers serves as the Trainer for NFDA and  delivers the NFDA Arranger Training suite of education opportunities.   She is a first-generation funeral director and strives to help families personalize services honoring their loved one.   

Lanae was called to funeral service after the death of a close friend whose “cookie-cutter” funeral didn’t tell his story.  She knew there was a better way.  Lanae graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with honors in 2012 and has served at Hamilton’s Funeral Home since then.  During her time at Hamilton’s, she initiated a program for unclaimed remains, gaining national attention.  

Lanae is also known for her personalized touch for each family she serves - turning the funeral home into a baseball field, a gaming room, or a classy runway show with a pianist...Lanae will do whatever she can do to help make that service unique and special, reflecting who that person was in life!

Sponsored by 

About the Episode: In this episode, host Gabe Schauf explores the value of mentorship in the funeral profession. Joined by Lauren Budrow, a licensed funeral director and mortuary science educator, and Calvin Amato, a funeral trainee and soon-to-be graduate, the discussion addresses the true meaning of mentorship, its long-term effects on professionals and families, and how both seasoned and aspiring funeral directors can develop meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. 

Also, check out the April issue of The Director for a deeper dive into mentorship and more contributions from Lauren and Calvin.

About Lauren:  Lauren Budrow has been a licensed funeral director since 2002. She practiced in Indiana and Washington before transitioning to teaching funeral service education in 2011. Lauren earned her MBA from Butler University in 2012 and her MFA in Writing from Spalding University in 2018. She actively pursues creative writing projects in fiction and poetry and also enjoys contributing to funeral service publications. She has been an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Program in Detroit, Michigan since 2017. 

About Calvin:  Calvin M. Amato, CCO, CPC is a dedicated funeral professional at Koch Funeral Home in State College, Pennsylvania and soon to be graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.  His professional credentials include certifications as a crematory operator, natural organic reduction operator, preplanning consultant, and funeral celebrant, reflecting his dedication to offering diverse and meaningful end-of-life options.

Beyond his role at the funeral home, Calvin is an active leader in both local and national groups that support grief education, mental health awareness, and professional development.  His insights have been featured in leading industry publications, including NFDA’s The Director, ICCFA’s Memento Mori, and Kates-Boylston’s American Funeral Director.

On "A Brush With Death: 5 Minutes On...," we spend 5 minutes providing listeners with quick insights
into various funeral trends, products, events, organizations, and goings-on.

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf, is joined by Sabena Nanji, founder of FIOH, to learn how funeral directors can use it to simplify the planning process and include the family every step of the way.

Click here to visit FIOH

About FIOH:  Forever In Our Hearts (FIOH), is a revolutionary online funeral planner that’s transforming how funeral directors and families navigate the planning process—from the first call to the final service. FIOH isn’t just another digital tool; it’s a comprehensive platform designed to reduce paperwork and give funeral directors more time to focus on what truly matters: supporting families during life’s most delicate moments.

The platform features a customized digital storefront where funeral directors showcase their complete range of services and packages, while our intuitive family portal brings everything together in one organized space. Families can effortlessly connect with funeral staff through secure messaging, upload and share documents and images, and keep all the details in one accessible place.

FIOH also introduces a game-changing marketplace tailored to the unique challenges of the funeral industry—helping professionals seamlessly swap shifts, locate local licensed embalmers, arrange transportation, and find other essential service providers. FIOH is building a community where every member supports one another, ensuring that every funeral is handled with care, efficiency, and compassion.

About the Episode:  In this episode, host Gabe Schauf chats with Kelly Monroe, Funeral Instructor (and Gabe's co-worker) with the Milwaukee Area Technical College Funeral Service Program, and Dr. Damon de la Cruz, Director of Education with the Frigid Fluid Company, about funeral apprenticeships. Topics include the expectations and responsibilities of both the trainer and trainee, as well as how to make the most of the experience. They discuss common challenges, share valuable insights, and offer practical advice to help both mentors and apprentices succeed in the field. Whether you are new to the profession and navigating your apprenticeship or a funeral professional training apprentices, there is something here for you.

Are you a funeral apprentice with some thoughts to share or suggestions on improvements?  Are you a funeral director with some best practices and success stories?  We would love to hear from you in or comments section or through your emails to abrushwithdeath@nfda.org. 

About Kelly:  Kelly Monroe is proud to be a 25-year licensed funeral director in Wisconsin, and a full-time educator since 2014 in the Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. With a M.Ed. in Adult, Community, and Professional Education, she is committed to inspiring future funeral service professionals across the state.

Kelly is the co-creator and facilitator of Wisconsin's only Funeral Director Apprentice Certification Course. She also supports the Medical College of Wisconsin's body donation program that provides hands-on education and training of medical students and residents. Kelly's greatest enjoyment comes from spending time with her family, especially her four children.

About Damon:  Damon de la Cruz, PhD is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director.  He is the Director of Education for the Frigid Fluid Company, an educator for several Funeral Service education programs, and has served the American Board of Funeral Service Education on multiple committees.  He speaks nationally and internationally on a regular basis.

His embalming career has spanned multiple states, countries, and continents.  Damon has a bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology and was awarded a Doctorate in Pathobiology from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California for his work on stem cell homeostasis.

Most Recently, Damon has co-authored the textbook Turning Art into Science: Applying Chemistry to Funeral Service. This is a book that succinctly bridges concepts across embalming, funeral service and chemistry.  Additionally, he recognizes the potential for technology in funeral service and created the popular free embalming app Embalm Calc.

On "A Brush With Death: 5 Minutes On...," we spend 5 minutes providing listeners with quick insights
into various funeral trends, products, events, organizations, and goings-on.

In this episode host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by Tony Miller to discuss how funeral homes are using AP Lazer's products in-house to provide families with more opportunities for personalization.

Learn more about AP Lazer here

About Tony:  Tony Miller is a seasoned sales executive with over seven years at AP Lazer, helping funeral professionals expand their services through personalized laser engraving. With a background in business management and a passion for fostering strong customer relationships, Tony excels at guiding businesses toward new revenue opportunities using AP Lazer’s patented open-architecture technology.

Beyond his work in sales, Tony is also the owner of Oak Lore Farm, where he applies his craftsmanship to woodworking and sustainable farming. His hands-on approach—whether in business or on the farm—reflects his dedication to innovation, quality, and meaningful connections.

About AP Lazer:  AP Lazer is a leading provider of high-powered laser engraving and cutting machines, designed to help businesses unlock new revenue streams through personalized, high-value customization. With its patented open-architecture design, AP Lazer machines remove size and weight restrictions, allowing users to engrave everything from small keepsakes to large memorials with ease.

Trusted by funeral professionals, AP Lazer empowers businesses to create deeply personal tributes, adding lasting value to headstones, urns, and commemorative items. Backed by 24/7 lifetime technical support and comprehensive training, AP Lazer ensures its customers have the tools and knowledge to succeed in the evolving funeral industry.

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf chats with 10 funeral directors and embalmers from around the country to share practical tips and techniques for taking embalming room work to the next level. They’ll cover everything from improving preservation to fine-tuning restoration work, with advice you can start using immediately.

Guests in this episode include:

• Dana Goodell – Iowa Licensed Funeral Director and Sales and Education Director for the Embalmer Supply Company (1:59)
• Regan Moreland – Funeral Director with Radney Funeral Home and Langley Funeral Home (6:03)
• Lauren Bowser – Funeral Director with Cusick Funeral Home (8:36)
• Manda King – Connecticut Licensed Funeral Director and Embalming Specialist with Frigid Fluid (12:37)
• Kelley Rowmanowski – Minnesota Licensed Funeral Director and University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science Instructor (17:07)
• Lincoln Plain – Minnesota Licensed Funeral Director and Sales Representative for Dodge Chemical Company (21:06)
• Danielle Wilk – Port Mortuary Branch Chief at Dover Air Force Base (25:25)
• Jennifer Heiselman – Retired US Navy Chief Mortician and Cemetery Director at State Veterans Cemetery (32:20)
• John Hill – Funeral Director and Embalmer with James Funeral Home, trade embalmer and Instructor with Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service (37:53)
• Mel Lyles – Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and Co-Owner of Afterlife Mortuary Services (43:13)

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this episode has something for everyone.

Disclaimer:  This episode contains discussions about embalming techniques used by licensed funeral professionals.  Some of the content may be sensitive or unsettling to some listeners.  Listener discretion is advised.

Sponsored by: 

About the Episode: In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Leili McMurrough, a licensed funeral director and President of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, to share her experiences and insights from the profession. Leili is the recipient of the 2024 NFDA Inspiration Award, sponsored by NGL, which honors an exceptional woman who has made significant contributions to funeral service.

About Leili:  Leili McMurrough is the President of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, she oversees one of the nation’s oldest mortuary science programs, shaping the next generation of funeral service professionals. A licensed funeral director, embalmer, and attorney, Leili brings a rare combination of legal expertise and hands-on industry experience to her role.

Leili earned her undergraduate degree from Lehigh University, her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law, and her Mortuary Science degree from the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service. Her leadership extends beyond Worsham College—she also served as Chair of the Committee on Accreditation for the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

Leili has spoken throughout the country about multi-generational workplace dynamics and funeral home management, offering practical insights for today’s evolving workforce. She is a Trustee of the Funeral Service Foundation and co-owner of McMurrough Funeral Chapel in Libertyville, Illinois, where she remains deeply connected to serving families in her community.

About the Episode:  In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Regan Moreland, Funeral Director & Embalmer with Radney Funeral Home and Langley Funeral Home, to discuss her transformative journey into funeral service.  She shares how her personal experience has shaped her career and her passion for lifelong learning while inspiring those around her to always remember their "why."

About Regan: Regan Moreland is a first-generation Funeral Director & Embalmer licensed in Alabama and Georgia. She is also a Certified Funeral Service Professional (CFSP), Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) and Certified Funeral Celebrant.

Regan's journey into funeral service began after the traumatic loss of her son, Sawyer. Through processing her own grief, she was called into a career where she would be able to honor him by serving others in their darkest moments.

Regan also serves as a partner, alongside Jeff Holcomb, with Continuing Vision as the Digital & Social Media Marketing Director and Editor/Writer for The Mortician’s Blog. She recently spearheaded the creation of Continuing the Vision’s Mentorship Program and serves as the admin between mentors and mentees.

As a “lifetime student,” Regan believes that you should never stop learning and never stop growing. She understands and advocates for the importance of quality continuing education that both educates and inspires funeral professionals in their own growth. Her personal mission has been to remind funeral professionals to always remember their "why" and to also remember that "every life deserves to be celebrated."

Sponsored by: 

Happy Veterans Day to all of our military personnel. We are deeply grateful for your service and sacrifice, and we will forever be thankful for your role in keeping our country free.

About the Episode:  In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Jennifer Heiselman, Navy Chief Mortician (Retired), who served our country as a Navy Embalmer and Funeral Director. Jennifer spent 24 years both at home and abroad, caring for soldiers killed while on active duty and in combat, and managing the logistics and processes to ensure these fallen heroes were returned home to their families. In this episode, she shares some of her experiences and insights, reflecting on her remarkable career.

About Jennifer:  Jennifer S. Heiselman started her funeral directing career in Pittsburgh, PA after graduating with honors from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2000.  This career change came after a 5 year enlistment in the Navy as a Hospital corpsman.  She left Pittsburgh in 2006 to reenlist in the Navy as a Funeral Director and Embalmer and quickly relocated to Guam where she was one of two active-duty morticians for the island.  In 2010 she relocated to Dover Delaware to act as the Navy and Marine Corps liaison during an extremely high fatality rate.  After 5 years in Dover, she reacted to Rota Spain and then to Quantico, VA and Millington, TN where she served as the Chief Mortician.  She has been involved in numerous mass fatality events such as Extortion 17 and the B52 Stratocaster mishap in Guam. 

She is a subject matter expert and has served as the Navy Representative on the OSD Tri Service Inspection Team.  She retired from the Navy in July 2024 and now serves as the Cemetery Director for the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Memphis, TN.  She has been serving our Nation’s fallen heroes for over 20 years.