Episodes
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Writer and librarian Sharon Verbeten discusses her career covering funeral service and how her “Comfort Kids” project is helping children and families process grief. From grief libraries to story-driven writing, she champions open conversations about death and believes funeral homes play a key role in normalizing those discussions.Click here for complete show notes.
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In this week’s ICYMI: Matthews International has acquired The Dodge Company for $57 million, expanding its memorialization portfolio. SCI shares some interesting insights with Oppenheimer. In Texas, proposed changes to cremation regulations could slow services and raise costs. New digital obituary platforms are emerging, though concerns remain about pricing and long-term adoption. Finally, scrutiny over funeral home price transparency is growing, as local media spotlight those without online price disclosures.
Click here for complete show notes.
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In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, disconnected tech tools can slow down operations, create inefficiencies, and hinder collaboration. This session explores the power of integrated technology solutions and how they create efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance customer experience. Learn how seamless tech integration eliminates silos, improves data accuracy, and supports business growth. Join us to discover the benefits of a connected tech ecosystem and how to implement it successfully.
Click here to register and learn more.
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In this episode, we preview Kates-Boylston’s upcoming virtual preneed event, featuring expert insights from Greg Norris and Spencer Larkin. Tony also recaps earnings from SCI, Carriage, and Matthews International, highlighting steady growth in at-need and memorialization revenues despite economic uncertainty.
Matthews also is preparing to finalize a major asset sale while expanding its energy business post-lawsuit.
Additional stories include the 100th anniversary of E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, neighborhood resistance to a Georgia crematory, and the launch of Eazewell, a tech platform backed by NBA stars to improve funeral planning access.
Click here for complete show notes.
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This we we speak with Joél Maldonado, "The Grave Woman," and her path into multicultural death care. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding different cultural backgrounds in death care. We also discuss Maldonado's connection to her Gullah-Geechee heritage and its influence on her work promoting culturally relevant death practices.
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This episode covers inclusive funeral care with Joelle Maldonado, a grief support initiative from Bob DiPasquale, new NOR offerings at Goes Funeral Care, a cremation pricing spotlight in Florida, and breaking stories from Texas and Virginia. Plus, details on Kates-Boylston’s upcoming Technology Think Tank. Tune in for insights, innovations, and important industry updates in funeral service.
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Kevon McKay of Mid-States Recycling and Refining discusses the evolution of cremation metal recycling and the importance of education for crematory owners. McKay will present “Keys to a Successful Recycling Program for your Crematory” at the Kates-Boylston Cremation Innovations virtual event, beginning 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.
Click here to register.
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This week, we talk changing stereotypes, a pet crematory stepping up, Australia's cultural shift toward cremation, and controversial AI memorialization in Malaysia among other stories.
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Notes from this week's show.
New legislation making it easier for funeral directors to serve trans families regarding death certificates. Discussion of various awards relevant to the funeral service industry, including "Ones to Watch," Green Burial Council awards, and Funeral Service Foundation scholarships. Commentary on a funeral director's appearance on John Mulaney's talk show. Todd Bozell's appointment to the Selected Board and our 2024 feature on him. NFDA Consumer Preference Study Wake Forest Law Podcast -
Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s top stories.
All should be well again soon as Poul Lemasters takes over the reins at Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science following Jack Lechner’s resignation.
Bio-Response gets a boost from 3 Boomerang Capital’s cash infusion.
A vertical cemetery in Australia can be seen as a one-upmanship in green burials.
Parting Stone got this cool shoutout in the NY Post, but it also announced its 10,000th customer, which isn’t quite a tipping point but still worth mentioning.
Here’s the (non)story about natural organic reduction not being legal in Louisiana on the heels of NOR passing the Georgia House.
Click here for complete show notes.
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In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we talk with Calvin Amato about his path into the funeral profession. Starting out in hospitality management, Calvin shares how growing up in a small town and spending time living in a funeral home during college sparked his interest in the field. Now certified as a cremation operator, death doula, and funeral celebrant, Calvin brings a fresh and compassionate approach to funeral service as he looks to complete his schooling.
Click here for complete show notes.
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These are the stories we mention in this episode:
Pet Cremation Experience
LinkedIn Industry Listing
Wake Forest Law Review
NOR as a Service
Cemetery Software Webinar
Memorial Day Preparations
Mother's Day and Pregnancy Loss Memorialization
Kate-Boylston Resources and Events
Click here for complete show notes.
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Stephanie Castagnier Dunn chief SBA revenue officer for Phoenix SBA a Community Bankshare Company talks about the state of the American small business economy, business loans for refinancing, real estate, and buy-outs, and strategies for structuring deals that benefit all parties while preserving business legacies.
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Here are the stories we mention in this episode:
Unclaimed Remains
Catholic Church on Alkaline Hydrolysis
Georgia NOR
COVID Story
Shepherd Memorial Auction
Stephanie Peterson: Painful personal experience shaped ability to help with grief journey
After a bad funeral, this Iowa woman became a funeral director to do better for others
Covid quadrupled the number of bodies coming into my funeral home
Click here for the full show notes.
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