A new MP3 sermon from White Oak Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Noah Strawn Memorial Service Speaker: Lonnie Polson Broadcaster: White Oak Baptist Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/8/2025 Length: 45 min.

A.J. Orlikoff, Interim President of Historic Congressional Cemetery, discusses his role in promting cemeteries beyond burial spaces into community gathering and even leadning centers.Tony Russo

A new MP3 sermon from United Reformed Church of Thunder Bay is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Funeral Service - Maria Anna Janssens Speaker: John Ysinga Broadcaster: United Reformed Church of Thunder Bay Event: Funeral Service Date: 3/28/2025 Bible: Psalm 62 Length: 105 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from Servants of Grace Ministries is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Dave giving the Eulogy of his dad Lt. Colonel James Jenkins Subtitle: Funeral Speaker: Dave Jenkins Broadcaster: Servants of Grace Ministries Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/28/2025 Length: 4 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from Dillon Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Tom McCarthy Service Speaker: John Cornia Broadcaster: Dillon Baptist Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/28/2025 Length: 53 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Liberty Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Roger Hodel Funeral Service Subtitle: Funeral Services Speaker: Tom Zobrist Broadcaster: Liberty Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/26/2025 Length: 86 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Greenville ARP is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Paul Guell Funeral Speaker: Todd Matocha Broadcaster: Greenville ARP Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/24/2025 Length: 55 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: A Doorway in Heaven Speaker: Ben Stahl Broadcaster: Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/15/2025 Length: 25 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Liberty Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Bill Martin Funeral Service Subtitle: Funeral Services Speaker: Tom Zobrist Broadcaster: Liberty Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/24/2025 Length: 66 min.

Greg Grabowski of Hospice Insights joins us to discuss new ways to engage with hospice and to work toward having funeral directors move further up the continuum of care chain. Building a Comprehensive Hospice CRM: "We do lots of engagements throughout the course of the day. We download every little single idea that we have that have worked.” The Ro…

A new MP3 sermon from Liberty Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Elaine Slusher Homegoing Service Subtitle: Special Services Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: Liberty Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/14/2025 Length: 35 min.

Matthews International shareholders voted to keep the current board of directors, defeating Barrington Capital’s attempt to change the company’s direction. The U.S. Postal Service is updating its mailing requirements for cremated remains, mandating the use of USPS-provided shipping supplies for domestic and international shipments starting March 1.…

A new MP3 sermon from Bay Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Sandy Dekker Memorial Service Subtitle: Memorial Services Speaker: Rev. Patrick Womack Broadcaster: Bay Presbyterian Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 2/20/2025 Length: 50 min.

Funeral director Kim Zavrotny, Funeral Professionals Peer Support Program Director (USA), discusses her work with that organization and looks to the future.Tony Russo

In this episode we discuss takeaways from the latest earnings report from SCI and their strategies for pre-need sales growth, kick off what it likely to be a long conversation about outdated state funeral laws, highlight an iconic Black funeral director, and celebrate a heroic act by a Rhode Island funeral director. Click here for complete show not…

Madeline Lyles of After Life Mortuary Services talks about her program encouraging teend to go into mortuary science and her hope for funeral directors struggling with the stresses of the job.

Tom Nondorf, editor of American Cemetery & Cremation joined us on “Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast” this week to discuss some of the stories and the magazine’s continuing coverage of what cemeteries can be and how they can continue to thrive. The Future of Cemeteries: "Cemeteries are not anathema to cremation and there's a way in which they wa…

In this episode we explore the ongoing arbitration saga between Matthews and Tesla over the dry cell technology, alongside the intricate proxy fight involving Barington Capital. In addition, we shed light on a burgeoning scandal at Heaven Bound Cremation Service and discuss pivotal industry updates, including new roles on the Maryland State Board o…

In this bonus episode, Manager of Funeral Revenue and Merchandising at Service Corporation International Lacyn Barton talks about how she found her place in fuenral service and ways she lives her passions.Tony Russo

In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we look at Carriage’s quarterly earnings report and the AI reporting on it. We also dive into how memorialization boosts cremation revenue, strategic succession insights, H.E. Turner’s recognition, a quick SGK Brand Solutions update and the question of funeral industry inclusivity challenges. Click here f…

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.…

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…

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…

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.

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…