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A Funeral Podcast. Meet the legends who shaped deathcare.
19 Episodes
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Curtis sits down with Cameron Black, Chief Preneed Distribution Officer at NGL, to talk about the path that led him into the funeral profession and the experiences that shaped his career. Cameron shares stories from growing up in a family that moved frequently, his love for sports and golf—including a stint competing in long-drive competitions—and how an unexpected connection eventually introduced him to the preneed side of funeral service. From driving 90 miles a day to meet with families ea...
In this episode, Curtis Funk sits down with Welton Hong, the founder of Ring Ring Marketing, to dive into his fascinating career path, from his early days in tech with Intel, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle to becoming a leading expert in digital marketing for funeral homes. Welton shares insights into the evolution of online marketing, the growing role of AI, and how funeral homes can adapt to new technologies to stay ahead. Learn about his experiences at NFDA, his passion for helping sma...
This episode features a conversation between Curtis Funk and David McComb on the evolving funeral service profession. They reflect on lessons learned from business challenges, the importance of ceremony in honoring life, and how cultural shifts, like widely viewed memorials, shape public perception. McComb also shares insights on the value of meaningful rituals, the role of critical feedback in improving funeral homes, and the personal importance of travel, humility, and adaptability in both ...
Join Curtis for a candid conversation with Bob Gordon—CEO of Cypress Lawn and ICCFA board president—on growing up on a 100-acre cemetery, building a purpose-driven culture, creative community tours, the nonprofit advantage, recruiting the next gen, and nurturing digital relationships with families. Plus a few surf stories and e-MTB resets along the way.
In this episode, Curtis Funk sits down with Jamie Meredith, a long-time leader in funeral service and insurance funding. Jamie shares his journey from growing up in Louisiana to building a company that has funded over one million funerals and provided $6.4 billion to the profession. He reflects on family, leadership, and the popular “Meredith & Sons Motivation Monday” series with his four boys. The conversation highlights resilience, faith, and the impact of bringing innovation and heart ...
In this episode, Curtis Funk talks with Lisa Baue a funeral director, coach, and founder of Funeral Women Lead. Lisa shares how her early experiences in a family-run funeral home led to a career of leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for women in deathcare. Curtis and Lisa discuss the rise of women in funeral service, challenges like burnout and lack of advancement, and how her new organization and podcast, Four Women and a Funeral, aim to support the next generation. Lisa also previews her ...
In this conversation, Curtis Funk and Thomas Parmalee discuss the complexities of life, loss, and the evolving landscape of the death care industry. They explore Thomas's journey from journalism to his current roles in Funeral Vision and Ring Ring Marketing, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in consumer behavior and the role of technology in funeral services. The discussion also touches on the significance of networking, professional development, and the future trends in death...
In this conversation, Curtis Funk interviews Christine Pepper, exploring her journey from her childhood in Germany to her impactful career at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). They discuss her early life, the challenges of immigration, her education, and the evolution of her career in the funeral service industry. Christine shares insights into the operations of associations, the importance of advocacy, and the complexities of state laws affecting funeral services. In this co...
In this episode of PodCasket, Curtis Funk sits down with Jimmy Lucas—funeral director, family man, and all-around great storyteller—for a candid conversation that spans everything from funeral home beginnings and generational legacy to cattle ranching, scuba diving, and even amateur beekeeping. They dive into the Lucas family's 165-year history in funeral service, the challenges of balancing business growth with personal values, and why running a funeral home is a lot like being a Lego-loving...
In this episode of PodCasket, Curtis Funk sits down with Buddy Phaneuf, a funeral industry leader known for pushing boundaries in deathcare. From revolutionizing online cremation arrangements to integrating AI and chatbots, Buddy shares his insights on how technology and business strategy have transformed funeral service. He discusses his journey from Deloitte Consulting to funeral home ownership, his unique approach to staffing and scaling, and how his nonprofit, the Phaneuf Family Fou...
In this episode, Curtis Funk sits down with Kris Seale, a leader in the funeral profession with nearly 40 years of experience. Kris shares his journey from growing up in a funeral home to transforming Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) into an industry powerhouse. He opens up about the challenges of leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of death care, and how funeral homes can adapt to changing consumer expectations. Plus, hear how his passion for leadership and y...
In this episode, Ryan Thogmartin and Curtis Funk dive into the fascinating, unexpected paths that led them into the world of death care. From Curtis's random encounter at a family birthday party that turned into a nostalgic small-world moment to Ryan's entrepreneurial journey rooted in early life lessons, listeners will gain a unique perspective on how personal experiences and passions can shape a career. Ryan reflects on pivotal moments in his life, from accepting his faith as a child to dis...
Tune into this PodCakset episode, where Curtis Funk interviews Thomas Anderson, a fourth-generation funeral director and entrepreneur with a remarkable background in both the funeral and sports industries. Thomas shares his journey from growing up in rural Minnesota, where he unexpectedly took over the family funeral home, to later founding a professional basketball league and sports business. His insights reflect a deep understanding of the funeral profession, and his experience in running F...
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Kenn Peterson, a true legend in the death care industry, to explore his fascinating journey. Starting as a fitness specialist at Hillenbrand Industries, Kenn's career took a transformative turn into the world of pre-need sales and leadership. He shares heartfelt stories, from memorable conversations with industry icons to personal challenges, like his wife's battle with a severe health condition. Kenn discusses the critical role of compassionate se...
In this insightful episode, Curtis Funk sits down with Ellery Bowker, a seasoned entrepreneur with deep roots in the funeral industry. Ellery shares his fascinating journey from his early days growing up on a dairy farm to his diverse career in sales and technology. He provides a detailed account of how he ventured into website design, eventually founding multiple companies in the death care industry, including Directors Advantage and aftercare.com. Ellery discusses his early experiences with...
In this episode of PodCasket, host Curtis Funk sits down with Jake Johnson, an influential figure in the funeral service industry. Jake shares his unique insights into how advancements in AI and robotics are poised to revolutionize the industry. The conversation delves into the history of funeral services, highlighting the pivotal roles played by Jake's father and other industry icons. Jake discusses the importance of relationships in business, his experiences in mergers and acquisitions, and...
In this episode of PodCasket, host Curtis Funk sits down with Dan Isard, a financial expert and consultant who has significantly shaped the funeral service industry. Dan shares his fascinating journey from aspiring stand-up comedian to managing bands like Hall & Oates, and eventually becoming a renowned figure in funeral service consultancy. Dan discusses his beginnings in Philadelphia, his transition to Houston and Phoenix, and the pivotal moments that led him to focus on the funeral ind...
In this inaugural episode of PodCasket, host Curtis Funk welcomes Michael "Turk" Turkiewicz, a pioneering force in funeral home technology. Known as the father of funeral home websites, Turk shares his incredible journey from a Midwestern upbringing to transforming the funeral service industry with his innovative company, FuneralNet. Turk recounts his early years in Buffalo, New York, and Youngstown, Ohio, his football career at the University of Memphis, and his initial foray into the funera...
Introducing PodCasket, the go to podcast for anyone in deathcare. Here we will be interviewing the legends of the funeral industry, learning their stories, their challenges, their accomplishments, and what brought them to funeral service. Whether you work in a funeral home, you're a vendor, you're new to the space, or you are just death curious, this is the podcast for you.
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