As The Hearse Turns

A Conversation with Carlton Maye, Jr.

As The Hearse Turns, hosts Chris Boggs and Katharine Wagner-Elfner sat down with funeral service leader, educator, and NFDA Secretary candidate Carlton Maye Jr. for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet. From the realities of mortuary school and apprenticeship burnout to leadership in funeral service, mentorship, pricing transparency, and the future of the profession, nothing was off limits. Carlton brought the perspective of an educator, funeral director, embalmer, business leader, and mentor — while Chris brought the unfiltered real-world side that funeral professionals across the country have been talking about behind closed doors for years. This episode dives into: • Why new licensees are leaving the profession • Where funeral service education succeeds — and where the profession fails apprentices • The pressure funeral home owners face behind the scenes • Transparency, burnout, and the “sink or swim” culture in funeral service • Why leadership and mentorship matter now more than ever • The future of NFDA and the next generation of funeral professionals Whether you’re a funeral director, embalmer, mortuary student, apprentice, or simply curious about what really happens inside this profession, this conversation pulls the curtain back in a way few are willing to do publicly. 🎙️ As The Hearse Turns — Two Funeral Directors. One Honest Conversation.

Tri-State Crematory W/ Shaun Raviv

This conversation is one you won’t forget. We sat down with Shaun Raviv, the creator of the critically acclaimed podcast NOBLE, to take a hard look at one of the most disturbing chapters in modern funeral service history—the Tri-State Crematory scandal. This isn’t just a retelling of headlines. We go deeper—into the failures, the systems that broke down, the families who were impacted, and the lasting ripple effect this case had on regulation, trust, and accountability in death care. Shaun shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building NOBLE, the research that went into uncovering the truth, and why this story still matters today. We also tackle the uncomfortable questions: What went wrong? How did it go unnoticed for so long? And most importantly—what has changed since? This episode isn’t about sensationalism—it’s about transparency, education, and making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. If you think you know this story… you don’t know it like this.

Wednesday Night Pop-Up Live with Katharine and Chris

Grab a drink and lets chat about the funeral profession with your two honest and open funeral directors. We are answering your questions and bringing you into our home. Listen and enjoy!

Sunday Afternoon Chat with Katharine and Chris

Join us as we take a Sunday afternoon and chat and answer some of your questions. Two funeral directors! One Conversation! Answering questions that others will not!

As The Hearse Turns With Brelan Holston

What really happens behind the scenes in funeral service—and what does the next generation of professionals want you to understand? In this powerful episode of As The Hearse Turns, hosts Chris Boggs and Katharine Wagner-Elfner sit down with Brelan Holston, a rising voice in the funeral profession, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it means to serve families today. From navigating the realities of grief to breaking down misconceptions about the funeral industry, Brelean brings a fresh perspective that challenges outdated narratives while reinforcing the core values that define this profession—compassion, integrity, and purpose. Together, we dive into: * What led Brelean into funeral service and the passion behind the calling * The emotional and mental realities of caring for families at their most vulnerable * Misconceptions about funeral directors—and the truth the public deserves to hear * How the next generation is shaping the future of death care * Why transparency matters now more than ever This episode is raw, real, and exactly the kind of conversation the public needs—not just the version they’re used to hearing. 🎧 Whether you're in the profession, have experienced loss, or simply want to better understand what happens behind closed doors… this is an episode you don’t want to miss.