A Brush with Death

40 years ago this month, Christine Pepper walked through the doors of the National Funeral Directors Association for the first time. The profession she entered then looked vastly different from the one we know today. In this episode, Gabe Schauf sits down with the NFDA CEO to mark this significant milestone and look beyond the resume. Christine reflects on her four-decade journey, discussing how she navigated the shift from a male-dominated industry to a workforce increasingly led by women. She shares her perspective on the evolving relationship between funeral directors and the media, the weight of leading through complex times, and her vision for what lies ahead. It is a candid look at the past, present, and future of death care from the person who has had a front-row seat to it all. 🔗 Learn more: www.nfda.org/abrushwithdeath 🎙️ Host: Gabe Schauf 📍 Presented by the National Funeral Directors Association

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Derrick Husmann and Jake Johnson of Johnson Consulting Group, for part two of the "Funeral Rescue" series. Together, they walk through the Four Pillars of Funeral Home Success — the framework Jake and Derrick use when helping firms regain stability and rebuild momentum. The discussion looks at each pillar through a practical lens, examining how leadership, culture, finances, and operations influence one another and shape long-term performance. Rather than offering quick fixes, the conversation highlights realistic steps funeral homes can take to strengthen their foundation, support their staff, and better serve their communities. This episode continues the thoughtful, candid look at what modern funeral home leadership requires, and how meaningful change often starts with clarity, consistency, and intentional action. Connect with Derrick and Jake or learn more here: Johnson Consulting Group 🔗 Learn more: www.nfda.org/abrushwithdeath 🎙️ Host: Gabe Schauf 📍 Presented by the National Funeral Directors Association   funeral home management • funeral home success • funeral business consulting • Johnson Consulting Group • funeral home leadership • business turnaround • funeral service operations • A Brush with Death • Jake Johnson • Gabe Schauf • Derrick Husman • improving funeral homes • funeral home strategy

In this episode of A Brush with Death, host Gabe Schauf sits down with Derrick Husmann, Senior Business Consultant with Johnson Consulting Group, to talk about struggling funeral homes — and what it takes to turn them around. From poor financial management and outdated facilities to toxic workplace cultures and weak leadership, Derrick and Gabe explore the common challenges that can cause funeral homes to fail — and the practical steps firms can take to rebuild. With the right strategy, mindset, and willingness to adapt, even the most challenged funeral homes can find renewed success. Whether your funeral home is thriving or fighting to stay afloat, this episode offers real-world lessons in funeral home management, leadership, and growth that every funeral professional can use. Connect with Derrick or learn more here: Johnson Consulting Group 🔗 Learn more: www.nfda.org/abrushwithdeath 🎙️ Host: Gabe Schauf 📍 Presented by the National Funeral Directors Association   funeral home management • funeral home success • funeral business consulting • Johnson Consulting Group • funeral home leadership • business turnaround • funeral service operations • A Brush with Death • funeral profession podcast • Gabe Schauf • Derrick Husman • improving funeral homes • funeral home strategy

The lights are dim, the air's a little colder, and A Brush with Death is back with Spooky Mortuary Stories: Part 2. Host Gabe Schauf sits down with Amanda King, Faith Haug, Jennifer Heiselman, and Kari Northey to share real stories of strange encounters and things that can't quite be explained. From ghostly figures and children who see what others can't, to laughter and other sounds coming from empty rooms, and unexplained touches in the middle of the night—these tales might just have you turning on an extra light before bed. Tune in and enjoy another edition of Spooky Mortuary Stories.

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf sits down with four funeral home owners from across the country to explore how they recruit and retain the right people. Each guest shares their unique approach to finding employees who fit their culture, developing them into long-term team members, and building a workplace where people want to stay.  Guests in this episode include: Chris Christian - Owner of Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville, Tennessee (1:38) Jeff Smith - Owner of Smith Family Funeral Homes in Little Rock, Arkansas (13:59) Dr. Camelia Clarke - Owner of Paradise Memorial Funeral Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (26:07)  Randy Anderson - Retired owner of Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Alabama (39:42) Whether you're looking for new hiring ideas or ways to strengthen your team, this conversation offers real-world strategies and insights from those who've made it work.

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 segment, host, Gabe Schauf is joined by Kevin Czachor, Vice President of ASD.  Kevin reflects on his own brush with death, the value of life, and the importance of what we do in the funeral profession.  Then, Gabe and Kevin discuss the upcoming convention in Chicago and the NFDA Innovation award, which ASD sponsors.  The importance of new ideas in this and any profession cannot be overstated.  ASD celebrates the creation and fostering of innovations within the funeral profession that continue to help it grow, improve, and serve the public to the highest standards. Kevin Czachor is Vice President of ASD – Answering Service for Directors, a family-run business dedicated exclusively to serving funeral homes nationwide. Since officially joining ASD in 1991 after earning his degree in marketing and sales from Widener University, Kevin has played a key role in shaping the company's sales, marketing, and innovative solutions that support funeral directors. Under his leadership, ASD has earned multiple NFDA Innovation Awards and developed groundbreaking technologies that enhance communication and care within the funeral profession. Guided by the values instilled by his parents—loyalty, respect, and putting family first—Kevin views himself as a family man with a business, not the other way around. He is passionate about supporting funeral service education, community initiatives, and staff wellness, while also leading ASD's adaptation to modern challenges such as remote work. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife and four children, staying active through athletic events, and tending to his family's garden and fish pond. Learn more about ASD here

The International Convention and Expo is taking place in Chicago, October 26–29. To help you get ready for the big event, we've prepared three convention preview episodes. In these episodes, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Innovation Award Finalists, Workshop Presenters, and, of course, the Keynote Speakers. In this final preview episode, we hear from our keynote speakers. At every convention, attendees can expect to learn from some of the most respected and recognized voices in the world, and Chicago will be no exception. On Monday, Felipe Gomez will kick off the convention with his presentation, Virtuoso: Living the Virtuoso Life. On Wednesday, Crystal Washington will close the four-day event with her presentation, Futureproof Yourself: Innovate and Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. In this episode, Gabe Schauf is joined by Felipe and Crystal to share more about themselves and give a preview of their keynotes. Join us for the International Convention and Expo this October in Chicago and start planning your itinerary today. Visit www.convention.nfda.org for more information.

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, sits down with Welton Hong, founder and CEO of Ring Ring Marketing.  Welton and Gabe discuss AI's effect on search engines as well as a few things you can do to keep your website SEO working for you. Ring Ring Marketing specializes in helping funeral homes grow by making their phones ring. With a focus on generating quality leads, improving online presence, and building stronger connections with families in need, Ring Ring Marketing provides proven strategies tailored to the funeral profession. Their goal is simple: bring more at-need and pre-need families to your funeral home so you can focus on what matters most—serving them with care and compassion. Welton is a leading expert in helping funeral homes convert leads from online directly to the phone line. He's the author of the book Making Your Phone Ring with Internet Marketing for Funeral Homes and a regular contributor to NFDA's The Director magazine and several other publications. Welton has a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Prior to starting Ring Ring Marketing, he was a senior technologist at R&D facilities for Intel, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle. He regularly speaks at conferences and other events for people in the death care industry.  Click here to learn more about Ring Ring Marketing.

The International Convention and Expo is taking place in Chicago October 26th to the 29th. To get ready for the big event we have 3 convention preview episodes for you. In those episodes, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by the Innovation Award Finalists, some of the Workshop Presenters, and of course, the Keynote speakers.  In this second episode we will hear from some of our workshop speakers. There will be over 30 workshop presentations for attendees to choose from during the NFDA International Convention and Expo.  Topics covered will include embalming, customer service, grief, human resources, marketing and more.  In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf is joined by four of the workshop presenters, Anna Nesbit, Jeff Smith, Sherrie Dunlevy and Amanda King to learn more about them and get a sneak peak into what they will be discussing in their presentations Join us for the International Convention and Expo this October in Chicago and start planning your itinerary today.  Check out www.convention.nfda.org for more information. This episode is sponsored by Legacy.com.

The International Convention and Expo is taking place in Chicago October 26th to the 29th. To get ready for the big event we have 3 convention preview episodes for you. In those episodes, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by the Innovation Award Finalists, some of the Workshop Presenters, and of course, the Keynote speakers.  In this first episode we will hear from the innovation award finalists. The NFDA Innovation Award is sponsored this year by ASD and gives companies and organizations the opportunity to showcase their new product and service ideas designed to enhance the funeral profession and its function. The finalists this year are Afterword, Healing Path Cemetery, and Passare. Click here to learn more about Afterword Click here to learn more about Healing Path Cemetery Click here to learn more about Passare Click here to register for the 2025 International Convention and Expo This episode is sponsored by ASD

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 sits down with Venroy Joseph, CEO of veJov Brands Corporation. Venroy shares veJov Life's unique memorial packages designed for funeral homes and how their innovative approach helps families honor their loved ones. About VeJov Life: VeJov Life is a dedicated design studio specializing in memorializing life's moments, which prides itself on providing exceptional services that beautifully encapsulate the magic and emotions of every individual. Their work includes comprehensive services for funeral homes and personalized memorialization. They excel in offering heartfelt tribute packages and videos, aiming to honor and celebrate a loved one's legacy by transforming these significant events into timeless keepsakes. VeJov Life also extends its design expertise to other pivotal life events such as rites of passage, birthdays, bundles of joy, graduations, and weddings, providing custom photo/video editing and collages to document the atmosphere and highlights. Their foundation in graphic design showcases their deep commitment to their work and service to their customers. Learn more about veJovLife at their website: www.vejovlife.com

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf chats with 5 funeral professionals from around the country to share practical tips and techniques for elevating how to care for families and improve customer service at your funeral home.  These are easy, cost-effective, things you can do to make a big difference right away Guests in this episode include: -              Preston McKee – President of Morris-Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services based in Johnson City, TN (2:44) -              Nic Stevenson – Funeral Director with Stevenson Funeral Home based in Dickinson, ND (11:18) -              Thomas Harty – Funeral Director with Day Funeral Home in Randolph, VT (15:05) -              Geraldine Oliverie – Owner of Oliverie Funeral Home in Manchester, NJ (22:51) -              Doug Gober – Owner and Partner of Foresight (31:44) Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, this episode has something for everyone. This episode is sponsored by Funeral Women Lead.  Learn more at https://funeralwomenlead.org/

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf sits down with Eileen Hollis, a licensed funeral director at Hollis Funeral Home in Syracuse, New York, and a prominent social media influencer. Eileen shares her story and experiences behind building a successful online following by openly discussing the funeral profession and demystifying death. The two explore the unique responsibilities of a funeral director engaging in the digital world, how her social media interactions are shaping the future of the profession, and the impact of public response on removing taboos surrounding death. This episode is sponsored by Funeral Women Lead.  Learn more at https://funeralwomenlead.org/

In this episode, host Gabe Schauf speaks with Greg Grabowski, author of "Engaging in the Heart of Hospice" and President of Serviam Hospice.  Their conversation centers on the vital connection between funeral directors and hospice organizations and how a stronger partnership leads to more comprehensive care for grieving families. This episode is sponsored by Funeral Women Lead.  Learn more at https://funeralwomenlead.org/

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and welcome to the funeral service profession! In this episode, host Gabe Schauf sits down with recent graduates Natasha Jules, William Trotman, Trinity Cornelius, and Cameron Smith. They share what inspired them to pursue funeral service, the lessons they've learned through their schooling and apprentice experiences, and what lies ahead as they begin their careers.

We wish you a blessed and peaceful Memorial Day.  Never forget their sacrifice. 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. Visit their Facebook page and learn more by clicking HERE.

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.   This episode is sponsored by Tribute Technology

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), the 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.  

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 director's 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 at abrushwithdeath@nfda.org. 

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.