About the Episode: Is the funeral profession actually facing a labor shortage, or is it facing a reality check? Despite mortuary school enrollments increasing by over 22%, funeral homes nationwide are constantly struggling to keep staff.
On this episode of A Brush with Death, Gabe Schauf sits down with educator and funeral director Dr. Lucia Dickinson to explore the structural misalignments driving the retention crisis. Gabe and Lucia look past outdated assumptions about work ethic and tackle the uncomfortable truths behind the data: the gap between modern living expenses and entry-level compensation, the hesitation to invest in human capital, and why the outdated "Ideal Worker" model is failing a shifting demographic.
Discover actionable strategies for modernizing compensation, scheduling, and workplace culture to stop the revolving door at your firm.
About Lucia: Dr. Lucia Dickinson is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in funeral service and higher education. She currently serves the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and holds an adjunct professor position at Northeast Texas Community College in the Funeral Service Department, where she teaches Orientation to Funeral Service and acts as a liaison for Oklahoma students.
Since becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2011, Dr. Dickinson has accumulated extensive experience in various roles within funeral homes and cemeteries, including management positions. She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, which underpin her commitment to staying current with all aspects of the funeral service profession.
A distinguished Kamm Fellow of the Oklahoma State Regents, Dr. Dickinson has presented at numerous academic conferences. Her research interests span funeral service, leadership, organizational theory, and intersectionality, reflecting her passion for both her profession and her ongoing quest for improvement.