On Deathcare

Reimagining Deathcare Community Outreach with Beth King

In this episode, Tony Russo sits down with Beth King, general manager of her family’s multi-generational funeral firm. Beth talks about her firm’s partnership with local public libraries and their partnership on the Saving Family Stories project. Saving Family Stories provides free public access to media digitization equipment. She also talks about a book sponsorship program that helps people, particularly children, find ways of understanding death. Finally, Beth discusses some of the structural differences between American and Australian deathcare, including the complete absence of funeral director licensing down under. Get the weekly industry insights you won’t find anywhere else. Subscribe today for deep-dive analysis on the changing world of deathcare. Key Takeaways & Timestamps * [00:33] The Arts-to-Deathcare Pipeline Beth discusses stepping into her family’s 70-year-old firm after a decade-long career managing arts and culture festivals across Australia and the UK. * [03:13] “Saving Family Stories” at the Library How a simple conversation with a library CEO blossomed into a four-year community partnership. Beth explains how the program empowers families to preserve historical photos, slides, and old home videos for free. * [08:23] Massive Community Buy-In The jaw-dropping numbers behind the digitization program, including thousands of community hours logged, mobile scanner loans, and why this slow-burn tech is a natural fit for pre-planning memories. * [15:10] Beyond Euphemisms: The “Talking About Death” Initiative A look at how Beth’s firm curated a 50-book library donation specifically targeting death rather than just grief. Discover why children’s books topped the checkout charts and how they successfully hosted public panel discussions on the “admin of death.” * [19:40] Cultivating Earned Media & Authentic Tone Why the firm bypasses traditional gimmicky advertising in favor of monthly radio features, transparent education, and public mortuary tours during Australia’s “Dying to Know Day.” * [23:37] Deathcare Regulation in Australia Tony and Beth discuss the pros and cons of this flexibility versus the strict licensing choke points found in North America. Links & Resources Mentioned * Learn more about Beth’s local library system: Geelong Regional Library [https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/] * Explore Australia’s national movement: Dying to Know Day [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.dyingtoknowday.org.au] * Featured Children’s Books: Why Do Things Die? and That Day A Note from Tony: If you enjoyed this conversation about how deathcare is shifting globally, make sure to subscribe to the podcast for weekly reporting and analysis on the business and culture of end-of-life care. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Politicizing Funeral Service, the Case for Burial, and More

In this week’s episode, host Tony Russo dives into the heavily politicized battle over Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) in Oklahoma, legislative updates on green burials in Minnesota, and Neil deGrasse Tyson’s take on non-religious disposition. Plus, we look at the inherent risks of leasing a funeral home facility, a massive pre-need scandal in Michigan, and the regulatory challenges facing a historic Japanese cemetery in California. 🎧 Episode Breakdown & Timestamps * (00:00:06) Introduction & Welcome Thank you to all subscribers! Subscribe and access the Sunday column, exclusive news roundups, and breaking stories. * (00:01:32) The Failure of the NOR Bill in Oklahoma Tony editorializes on funeral service being politicized. Despite passing with 60% of the vote, Oklahoma’s Natural Organic Reduction measure was killed on the governor’s desk after a single lawmaker labeled it a “Democrat thing.” * (00:06:51) Minnesota Shifts Rules on Green Burials A look at Bill SF 5305 in the Minnesota Legislature, which aims to prevent public cemeteries from restricting green burials based on religious or moral convictions. * (00:09:56) Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Science of Burial Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently discussed his personal choice for disposition on his podcast. Deathcare professionals can use this philosophy to connect with non-religious families. * (00:12:38) The Dangers of Leased Properties: Fields Funeral Home Fields Funeral Home in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, has been evicted over unpaid rent following a license suspension. However, updates reveal a backstory of alleged landlord neglect. * (00:16:18) Pre-Need Swindling & Public Education in Michigan A bad actor in Michigan, Terry Alvin Kaufman, was sentenced to 7-20 years after stealing $1.1 million in pre-need funds. We look at Connecticut funeral director Matthew Bailey’s response to a similar situation, where he tackled a nearby scandal head-on with TV ads. * (00:19:57) Historic Japanese Cemetery in California Faces Closure State regulators have revoked the license of a historic Japanese cemetery in Colma, California. Exacerbated by the pandemic, the elderly board struggled with digital transitions and fell behind on taxes. Pro-bono lawyer Donald Tamaki has stepped up to help keep the grounds maintained and clear the back taxes. 🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode * Tony’s Article: The Political Death of Oklahoma’s NOR Bill [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/p/the-final-culture-war-how-oklahoma] * Legislation Tracker: Minnesota SF 5305 Detail [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/p/minnesota-looks-to-lock-in-green] * Video Podcast: Neil deGrasse Tyson on StarTalk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSu6xLc6WGQ] * News Feature: Fields Funeral Home Eviction [https://www.katc.com/iberia-parish/fields-funeral-home-ordered-to-vacate-property-following-eviction-over-unpaid-rent] * Michigan Scandal: Kaufman Sentenced [https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/prepaid-funeral-funds-should-come-with-verification-association-says/article_ba571eb2-68db-4a1a-b421-1a334784fb44.html] Bailey’s Video [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7458539857779322880/] * Industry Spotlight: Japanese Cemetery Closure [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/p/japanese-cemetery-license-revoked] 📢 Support the Show This episode was written, edited, and produced entirely by Tony Russo. If you appreciate independent deathcare journalism and it’s within your means, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at OnDeathcare.com [https://ondeathcare.com/]. Thank you for watching, listening, and supporting the show! See you next time. Enjoyed this update? Drop a comment or share this episode with a colleague in the deathcare industry! Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Pierce Dempsey on Why Your Funeral Home Needs to Engage Hospice

In this episode of On the Clock, host Tony Russo sits down with Pierce Dempsey of Leaf Cremation [https://www.leafcremation.com] to explore the relationship between funeral professionals and hospice care providers. Pierce, a fourth-generation cemeterian, shares how he transformed a simple task of “knocking on doors” into a massive endeavor that bridges the gap between end-of-life healthcare and final arrangements. Key Takeaways * The Genesis of the Hospice Playbook: Pierce discusses how he began visiting hospices within a 125-mile service area to understand their needs and provide resources without ever asking for a referral. * Camaraderie in Care: Why hospice workers are often eager to learn the technicalities of the cremation process and legal regulations. * The “In-Service” Advantage: Tips on conducting group presentations that provide genuine value (and perhaps some chicken biscuits) to nurses, social workers, and chaplains. * Shifting the Mindset: The importance of treating hospice professionals as a unique type of “external customer” and fostering an office culture that “loves hospice”. * Demystifying Cremation: How funeral professionals can act as a 24/7 resource for hospice staff to help clarify pricing and legal requirements for grieving families. * Beyond Hospice: Pierce touches on his other professional passion: implementing AI in daily deathcare operations to help even “techno-illiterate” professionals work more efficiently. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

'Dan the Funeral Man,' Carriage Goes Big, and the Texas Implosion Begins

In this episode, Tony Russo dives into the latest developments across the deathcare industry, from regulatory drama in Texas to corporate shifts at Carriage Services. We explore the evolving role of the “CEO as the face of the business,” the fallout of body mishandling cases, and why being forthright is the only way to manage a crisis in the modern age. Inside This Episode: * The Viral Mortician: Tony discusses his recent story on “Dan the Funeral Man [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/p/becoming-dan-the-funeral-man]” and how authentic social media presence is critical. * Texas Regulatory “Shenanigans”: A look at the latest Houston Chronicle report [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/texas-funeral-commission-governor-audio-22220894.php] involving the Texas Funeral Service Commission and allegations that the Abbott administration was more involved in commission matters than previously claimed. * Legal Updates in Houston: Prosecutors have dismissed abuse of corpse [https://abc13.com/post/richardson-mortuary-charges-dropped-owner-funeral-home-accused-abusing-corpses-records-show/19023485/] charges against Gayle Bell, co-owner of Richardson Mortuary, following a year-long scandal. * Lessons from Utah: A body mix-up at a veteran’s funeral leads to a deeper look [https://kutv.com/news/2news-investigates/mishandled-remains-prompt-questions-over-regulation-of-utahs-funeral-home-industry] at how the Division of Professional Licensing handles consumer complaints and why funeral homes need better tracking systems. * Carriage Services Analysis: An update on Carriage Services’ earnings, their $100 million “at the market” sales plan, and their unique strategy of seeking acquisition properties with high growth potential rather than just buying established, “well-run” homes. Visit OnDeathcare.com for the full report. * Website: ondeathcare.com [https://ondeathcare.com/] — Sign up for the newsletter to get breaking news and deep-dive analyses. * Instagram: @ondeathcare [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://instagram.com/ondeathcare] — Follow for clips and behind-the-scenes photos. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

From Montana to the Hill: Chris Holt on Strengthening the Voice of Funeral Service

In this episode of On the Clock, host Tony Russo sits down with Chris Holt, a funeral director and crematory technician from Montana who is currently running for an at-large position on the National Funeral Directors Association board. With 20 years of experience in the “sacred profession,” Chris shares his journey from state leadership to national advocacy. The conversation dives into the heart of what it means to represent funeral service professionals on Capitol Hill and the importance of keeping the national association relevant for the next generation. Don’t miss a beat on the stories shaping the deathcare. Subscribe now to stay up to date. Key Highlights * A Fire for Service: Chris discusses how his involvement with the Montana Funeral Directors Association in 2012 sparked a passion for representing members and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels. * Advocacy in Action: Fresh off a trip to Washington D.C., Chris explains the importance of “swarming the Hill” to discuss vital issues like veteran burial benefits, the regulation of body donations, and expanding Health Savings Account usage to cover funeral expenses. * Addressing Member Value: Chris tackles the challenge of declining participation in professional associations. He emphasizes the need for “palatable” education, better messaging, and demonstrating a clear return on investment for members. * The Power of Connection: From moonlight monument tours with his family to networking with colleagues across the country, Chris highlights how the NFDA fosters a community of leaders who share ideas to solve local and national problems. * Work-Life Balance: The discussion touches on the reality of burnout in funeral service and how the association can provide tools to help professionals manage their personal and professional well-being. About the Guest Chris Holt is a licensed funeral director and crematory technician based in Montana. He has served two terms as President of the Montana Funeral Directors Association and has represented his state at the NFDA for four years. He is a candidate for the NFDA Board of Directors at-large position. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe [https://ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]