In this episode, we tease a new column by Steve Lang set to debut in the Feb. 6 FSI, and address the recent reporting on Indiana’s state issues. We also talk about a recent crematory approval in Illinois over NIMBY concerns and look at a scandal in Maryland that is being very, very, very well covered.…

A new MP3 sermon from 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Kirby Kee Memorial Service Speaker: Dr. Richard D. Phillips Broadcaster: 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/24/2025 Bible: John 6:38-40 Length: 65 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from Village Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: LeEtta Louise Morris, Funeral Service Speaker: JJ Sexton Broadcaster: Village Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/30/2025 Length: 90 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Presbyterian Church Fresno is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Jesus the Resurrection Subtitle: Funerals Speaker: Michael Mock Broadcaster: Grace Presbyterian Church Fresno Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/29/2025 Bible: John 11 Length: 51 min.…

Tanya Scotece, Program Coordinator of Funeral Service Education at Miami Dade College, discusses some of her challenges as a death care educator and her reasons for accepting a position on the KB Advisory board.Tony Russo

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Jim Luff from Aurora Payments about the complexities of the Credit Card Competition Act and its implications for the funeral industry. Empowering Merchants: "This gives merchants a choice in the fees that they pay, something that's never been offered in the past … every time a merchant accep…

A new MP3 sermon from Crystal Valley Mennonite Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Cedar R. - Funeral Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: Crystal Valley Mennonite Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/24/2025 Length: 54 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Salem Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Nancy Nelson Memorial Service Subtitle: Memorial Service Speaker: Jim Delany Broadcaster: Salem Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/25/2025 Length: 111 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Bethel Free Reformed Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Funeral Service of Mrs. Betty Van Esveld Speaker: Jeff Overduin Broadcaster: Bethel Free Reformed Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/25/2025 Bible: Jeremiah 29:4-14 Length: 100 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from Iglesia Biblica Bereana is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Celebracion de Vida Margarita Hernandez V Speaker: Rev. Arxaphad Braithwaite Broadcaster: Iglesia Biblica Bereana Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/25/2025 Bible: 1 Corinthians 15 Length: 48 min.…

In this episode, we consider proposed tariffs on caskets from China, Mexico, and Canada, a critical legal battle in the 7th Circuit Court over regulations in Indiana. We’ll also explore Utah’s move toward natural organic reduction and those implications and discuss the latest in the proxy fight between Matthews and Barington. There’s also a ton goi…

A new MP3 sermon from 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Brenda Cumbus Memorial Service Speaker: Rev. Bob Anderson Broadcaster: 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/3/2025 Bible: John 17 Length: 62 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Mamie Riggins Memorial Service Speaker: Dr. Richard D. Phillips Broadcaster: 2nd - Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/4/2025 Bible: John 10:9 Length: 54 min.…

Katie Hill of Mortuary Lift Company, an inaugural Kates-Boylston advisory board member, shares her company origin story and her hope for the future of death care. Click here for complete show notes.

A new MP3 sermon from First Byron CRC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Jim Vedders Funeral Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: First Byron CRC Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/18/2025 Length: 103 min.

In this episode, we consider accusations of fraud and misconduct in South Carolina, Indiana's two front battle against the future, a restructuring in Pennsylvania and some positive listener feedback. Show Notes: https://www.kates-boylston.com/fraud-in-south-carolina-fights-in-indiana-and-a-restructuring-in-pennsylvania/article_ed2a463e-d47a-11ef-be…

In this bonus episode Kahlen Knapik of National Mortuary Shipping and Cremation discussed the Kates-Boylston Advisory Board and shares his take on the future of funeral service.

In this episode, we continue our conversation between American Cemetery & Cremation editor Tom Nondorf and Funeral Service Insider editor Tony Russo. In part one we concentrated on the ins and outs of cemetery news. Click here for complete show notes.Tony Russo

In this episode, we dive into some significant shifts in the industry, including Matthews International's $350 million transaction and a potential board shakeup. We'll also discuss SCI's recent acquisitions in Arizona and a growing trend of consolidation. We'll also touch on Thacker's acquisition of Southern Legacy Casket, the Hart Island Project, …

Publisher Sofia Goller talks about her advisory board initiative as Kates-Boylston looks to the future of death care. Click here for complete show notes.Tony Russo

This week, Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cremation & Cemetery magazine co-hosts the first of a two-part year-in-review episode. The Unique Cemetery Overlooking Sanford Stadium: “They sell plots because the University of Georgia plays pretty good brand of college football. People want to see it. And so, you know, they have that crazy brand of a So…

ICYMI provides commentary on the week’s funeral service news. This Episode Is Sponsored by Passages International Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode we have update on Barington Capital, commentary on the FTC's revived report, continued success in celebrations of life, and more. Kates-Boylston Holiday Subscription Offers Barington Announces Board Picks FTC Still Naming and Shaming a Year Later Recent ‘SendOff’ Funerals Make News Ohio Funeral Directors Expand Event Offerings with …

From the pages of American Cemetery and Cremation we bring you a Christmas travel story that ends where all stories must. Click here for the full story.Tom Nondorf

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Angela Woosley, a funeral director who has taken a solo approach to the business, catering to families with requests other funeral directors often won’t accommodate. Modern Funeral Preferences: What I was hearing was not, “Oh, we really want this mahogany casket and this expensive, lined out…

Here are the stories we reference in this week’s In Case You Missed It. Holiday Subscription Special Major Investor Calls for Matthews Shake-up, Will Nominate New Board Mercy University and Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service Agreement Park Lawn Expands Presence in Illinois Response to Park Lawn Expansion White Marsh Saga Continues No Jail for Caske…

Welcome to another episode of "Funeral Service Insider," the podcast In this week's episode, we're bringing you the highlights of notable events and discussions from recent weeks. HR & Leadership Forum Registration Kates-Boylston Announces Newly Formed Advisory Board Termination Gone Wrong Amigone Funeral Home Crematory Ordered to Close Under New Y…

Jennifer Lindell-Roys, location leader for Kersey Funeral Home in Auburndale, Florida, is the American Funeral Director magazine 2024 Funeral Director of the Year. Breaking Barriers in the Funeral Business: “The guy told me that I would have to probably work at Kmart because women weren't really supposed to be in the funeral business at that time.”…

At Kates-Boylston's Dec. 10 HR & Leadership Forum, we will explore strategies for funeral professionals to retain top talent and enhance preneed programs.In this bonus epiusode, we speak with Wanda Sizemore, onboarding specialist at Envision Strategic Partners, about how she built her career as a preneed sales expert and her goals for the upcoming …

In this episode, we cover key industry developments including a preview of Matthews International's earnings, the impact of funeral home consolidations, and the looming Federal Trade Commission rule changes. We also explore unique stories like a Japanese coffin café and delve into the challenges facing a Pennsylvania funeral home company as they na…

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cemetery & Cremation, speaks with Domenic Antinucci, a program manager at Brownyard Group, about the specialized insurance needs cemeteries and crematories contend with. Antinucci also discusses how personal experiences and an unlikely career path enriched his appreciation …

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest funeral service happenings and trends. Here's what we have on deck this week. New Jersey License Changes CANA Announces Dues Increase Barbara Kemmis Podcast Green Burials Return to Billings…

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week. Special Holiday Subscription Prices Both SCI and Carriage plan big 2025 acquisitions. Post-Cremation Memorialization Mixup Cemeter…

Kates-Boylston hosts the Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston. Over two days, attendees will hear about some emerging trends and best practices for running their operations. In what follows, we speak with Darren Crouch, president and CEO of Passages International Inc. Click here for complete show notes.…

This Week on FSI: The Podcast In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Jennifer Lares, a “Mortuary Mary Poppins” who brings training (and continuing education units) on-site for funeral homes. We also explore how social media can responsibly showcase professionalism while evolving consumer needs demand personalized service over tra…

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week. Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest …

Barcley Cadet discusses his upcoming presentation of "The Evolution of Talent Recruitment," at the upcoming Kates-Boylston Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston, Texas. In this bonus episode, he speaks about internal versus external recruitment teams and the changing landscape of recruiting for funeral service.…

Titan Casket Introduces “Mort” the Plushie Casket Unclaimed Remains-Related stories: More Than Just Unclaimed Remains Moving Day at the Mausoleum Unclaimed Remains Get a Catholic Disposition in New Hampshire M&A SCI Scoops up Failing Restaurant Property Gray Mortuary Merges with McAfee Industry News 1Director Wins 2024 NFDA Innovation Award…

In this episode, we speak with Peter Quakenbush about his journey as a proponent of conservation burial. Aiming to create a conservation burial site in Michigan, Quakenbush ran into opposition from some of the townspeople, and, eventually, the town outlawed cemeteries to keep him from opening one. After a recent win in court, he talks about the pro…

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week: Advances in Funeral Innovations Conference Precoa Acquires Life-planning Brand Everplans Cody Gortmaker: Triple Threat Funeral Dir…

Kates-Boylston hosts the Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston. Over the course of two days, attendees will hear about some emerging trends and best practices for running their operations. In what follows, we speak with two representatives of National Guardian Life Insurance Company. Melissa Posey Loose is the assistant v…

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week: Advances in Funeral Innovations Conference Australian Funeral News Deeley Honored for 50 Years of Funeral Service Disclosure Fine …

We spoke with Austin Anderson of Implant Recycling about his upcoming presentation on how artificial and virtual reality may change what families expect from memorialization. Click here for complete show notes.Tony Russo

We speak with funeral director Tim McLoone and Professor Sara Murphy, who includes death-care and LGBTQ+ issues among her special areas of interest. Their journey began with a chance encounter at the 2019 NFDA convention, which led to the creation of the Deathcare Proud event series – an annual gathering to show support and provide visibility for L…

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week: Kates-Boylston hosts the Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston. Over the course of two days, attendees …

Kates-Boylston hosts the Advances in Funeral Innovations conference Nov. 12-13 in Houston. Over the course of two days, attendees will hear about some emerging trends and best practices for running their operations. Click here for complete show notes.Tony Russo

In this episode, we speak with University of Cincinnati professor of social work Jennifer Wright-Berryman, a seasoned mental health and suicide prevention researcher with a long-standing commitment to improving understanding of the death-care experience for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. During her extensive research, she discovered a scarcity …

Welcome to the latest edition of ICYMI from Funeral Service Insider. As always, we are here to keep you informed about the latest happenings and trends within the funeral industry. Here's what we have on deck this week: A Big "What If?': In case you missed the last podcast, we spoke with Tyler Anderson of Precoa about treating your website like you…

Accounting for shifting consumer preferences is a challenge many funeral home owners face daily. Tyler Anderson of Precoa discusses approaches for accommodating these shifts. Click here for complete show notes.Tony Russo

Succession Gone Wrong? We dive into the saga of Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion, Kansas, now transitioning to Yazel-Megli Funeral Homes. Despite an initially smooth handover, Ty Zeiner’s recent decision to re-enter the industry calls the deal into question. Young Newlyweds, Big Dreams Meet Sean and Anne Devlin, two newlyweds who are turning an iconic…