The Direct Cremation Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What does soup ladle, windy ash-scattering, and funeral home management software have in common? 🥄💨

They’re all part of this can’t-miss episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast!

Join Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, and Caroline Andre, our merchandising expert, as they share hilarious stories and expert insights into growing your funeral home business with:

✅ The right tools for meaningful cremation arrangements (no more ladle moments!).
✅ Strategies to optimize your funeral arrangement software and online stores.
✅ How to price urns and keepsakes to compete with Amazon, Etsy, and more.
✅ Why Gen Z and Millennials value eco-friendly and discreet cremation merchandise
✅ Proven tips to maximize revenue with funeral service software and e-commerce.

(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:11) Welcome back, Caroline Andree!
(02:03) Personal story: John C. Bailey
(02:55) Memorial service and scattering experience
(05:33) Top reasons why funeral home sales fail online
(06:07) Families need guidance
(08:25) The merchandise is overpriced
(12:47) Merchandise is not varied enough
(19:00) Analyzing pricing and tracking trends
(21:25) Case study: Leaf Cremation
(22:34) Have your merchandise tell a story
(23:52) Understand the standard
(24:54) Case study: Gulf to Bay Cremation
(26:18) Conclusion
(32:21) How to reach Caroline

Whether you’re looking to improve your online funeral arrangements, boost sales with the best funeral home software, or simply enjoy a laugh, this episode delivers value from start to finish.

🎧 Watch now, and learn how to enhance your services and grow your revenue with insights into cremation software, funeral tech, and more!

#FuneralHomeSoftware #CremationSoftware #CremationWebsite #FuneralPlanningSoftware #CrematorySoftware #OnlineCremations #FuneralManagementSystem #FuneralTech

Douglas Klein, the founder of Chicagoland Cremation Options, transformed a career setback into an opportunity to build one of the most innovative cremation brands in the industry.

In a candid conversation on the Direct Cremation Podcast, hosted by Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, Douglas shared his journey, strategies for success, and predictions for the future of funeral services. His insights offer a roadmap for funeral directors aiming to grow their businesses while embracing the changing needs of families.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:10) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:25) Welcome Douglas Klein!
(02:24) Douglas' entry into deathcare
(06:34) Challenges of running a business
(08:11) Establishing Chicagoland Cremation Options
(09:29) Growing the business
(10:02) Key strategies for growth
(10:49) Marketing and customer engagement
(13:01) Importance of personal presence
(13:34) Communicating with clients
(16:25) Impact of the pandemic on business
(18:13) Growth mindset and responsible expansion
(21:31) Handling different client requests
(23:01) The importance of personal engagement
(26:51) Understanding call conversion and cost per case
(32:41) The role of competition in the market
(33:14) Predictions for the future of deathcare
(37:57) The impact of third-party merchandising
(40:55) The impact of third-party vendors
(42:48) Changing attitudes towards death
(45:58) Future plans for Chicagoland
(48:30) Avoiding burnout in the deathcare industry
(50:55) What deathcare will look like in 10 years
(54:59) Impact of the pandemic on society
(55:48) Comparing deathcare practices across cultures

A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Robert Hunsaker, a true legend in the death care industry. From his childhood days living in a funeral home with his funeral director father, to working in cemetery groundskeeping, and climbing the ranks at Batesville, Great Western Insurance Company, and Sinosource, Robert's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s owned funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses, and now serves as the president of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).

But it’s not just his impressive resume that stands out. When Robert speaks about the latest trends, his dedication to education, and the groundbreaking initiatives at CANA, you can’t help but be captivated. In this episode, Robert shares powerful insights and predictions for the future of death care. With his vast experience and deep understanding of the industry, his perspectives are truly invaluable. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by one of the most influential voices in death care today.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) Welcome Robert Hunsaker
(02:00) How Robert started
(06:19) What being president of CANA is like
(08:28) What draws Robert to get involved with CANA?
(09:45) Which season of Robert's deathcare career has been most enjoyable?
(11:18) Big mistakes vendors are making
(14:06) How can funeral owners push forward without being too fast
(18:54) Factors Robert look for when acquiring or starting a business
(20:32) How did Robert know that it's time to sell
(21:46) Exciting trends in deathcare right now
(24:43) What would Robert's cemetery/funeral home/property would look like with unlimited budget
(28:07) What does Robert think deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(30:06) Does Robert think that direct cremation will still grow in the future?
(37:50) What Robert is looking forward to coming out of CANA
(40:24) Final thoughts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Boost your contract totals! Caroline Andree, Head of Merchandising at Parting Pro, reveals the most popular merchandise chosen by families based on exclusive data from thousands of online arrangements at Parting Pro. Learn what's selling and how to tailor your recommendations to maximize your contract totals and provide the most value for families.

If you'd like the insert of the best selling merchandise, please email caroline@partingpro.com for a copy.

Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:40) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) What Caroline will be sharing with us today
(02:03) Where Caroline gets the data
(03:14) Trends in funeral home merchandise
(06:59) Ways to increase the number of families that choose to purchase memorials
(09:20) Impact of conversations with families
(10:51) Green and sustainable options in merchandise
(14:28) Best-selling urns
(18:47) One mistake that we found
(20:30) Best-selling keepsakes
(23:18) Best-selling jewelry
(27:57) Anything else Caroline found interesting in the data
(30:04) How much merchandise is being sold per arrangement
(30:21) Caroline shares some tips
(31:31) Optimizing merchandise displays
(32:58) Warm-toned merchandise preference
(34:55) Where to find Caroline

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.

Click here to subscribe: https://bit.ly/3PxOqMO
Find us at https://directcremation.com
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soT

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

At the helm of a successful funeral home, a new cemetery, and a growing online cremation service, Bryce Bunker exemplifies a family-focused, service-centric approach that has propelled him to success in competitive corners of death care. 

In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover how Bryce's innovative methods have redefined service in the cemetery. Learn about his strategic insights into the fast-growing, highly competitive market of low-cost online cremations, and how his unique blend of compassion and entrepreneurship is setting new standards.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(01:07) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast 
(01:20) Welcome Bryce Bunker! 
(02:05) Exploring Other Paths 
(05:28) Bryce's Experience Working in a Startup 
(07:14) Innovation and Multi-Generational Owners 
(12:19) After.com - Online Cremation Platform 
(16:09) Differences and Longevity 
(21:09) Bryce Being an Angel Investor 
(24:32) Future Plans for Funeral Home and Cemetery 
(28:38) What's next for After.com? 
(30:44) Bryce's Next Business? 
(35:20) "Cemeteries Now Need a Lot of Creativity" 
(37:32) What does Bryce think Deathcare will look like in 10 years? 
(39:28) Polarization in the Market 
(44:12) Final Thoughts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Jimmy Altmeyer is as impressive as they come. As a fourth-generation funeral director, he started with 3 funeral homes and has grown his empire into 53 rooftops and serves over 12,000 families each year. While that accomplishment alone is impressive, when you hear how Jimmy talks about the profession and the level of service that he strives to provide to every family that his companies serve, that’s where he really shines. 

In this episode, Jimmy gives us a peek into how his funeral homes maintain such a high level of service at a scale larger than some corporately owned groups. You won’t be able to find many others more impressive in death care.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(01:51) Welcome Jimmy Altmeyer!
(02:18) How Jimmy found Funeral Profession
(05:34) Challenges, perspective, and business acumen
(06:26) Building a funeral empire from three to many
(09:05) Building, competing, and acquiring in the death care industry
(13:27) A closer look at traditional, mid-tier, and online-only options
(14:59) Strategic service offerings and and preventing self-cannibalization
(20:03) Navigating the price-driven landscape and rediscovering the value of funeral services
(27:00) Industry giants, legal dynamics, and potential transformations
(28:52) A deep dive into funeral home management strategies
(35:01) Fostering consistency and excellence: Funeral home management insights
(39:41) The purpose of Treasured Memories brand
(48:34) A day in the life of a funeral home entrepreneur
(51:34) Continuing the legacy
(52:33) The art of funeral home acquisitions and cultural alignment
(55:03) Jimmy answers the question: What does funeral service looks like in 10 years

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, reveal the unexpected challenges behind creating the ideal online cremation service. While it seems straightforward with its streamlined offerings and minimal overhead, there's much more beneath the surface. Uncover the five crucial elements that are essential for success in this unique business. Watch to learn what really makes an online cremation company thrive beyond the basics.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro
(01:05) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(02:24) Where to start when creating a cremation society
(11:41) Expectations vs. Reality
(15:45) Tips for Funeral Homeowners or Directors: Navigating online arrangement processes
(18:19) The power of a justifiable attractive price
(23:12) Balancing competitiveness and justifiable pricing
(33:18) Essential steps for business excellence
(44:17) Transitioning to efficiency
(50:34) Impact and importance of being proactive
(56:21) Mindset mastery
(01:00:44) Striking the balance between expansion and refinement
(01:05:37) Fun facts

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

From answering the phone wrong to nickel and diming your families all the way to the bank, in this episodes of the Direct Cremation Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that will absolutely kill your cremation brand. 

After managing one of the largest cremation brands in the world (5,000+ cremations/year) to now training and consulting for hundreds of cremation companies across the country, Ashley Jones has seen a lot of different approaches to building a cremation company. In this episode, we discuss some of the biggest mistakes that owners make that have destroyed promising cremation brands. 

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(00:37) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:46) Who is Ashley Jones? 
(01:20) Welcome Ashley Jones! 
(01:51) Goal of a low-cost or online cremation brand 
(03:03) Discussion on the successful brand Ashley worked for
(04:36) Importance of building relationships with hospice 
(06:17) Ashley's role at Parting Pro as a client consultant 
(07:22) Red flag: Wrong demographic for online arrangements 
(08:25) Red flag: Small population or lack of email usage
(09:48) Red flag: High cost of direct cremation
(11:08) Red flag: Offering online option with a high price
(11:59) Competitors offering lower prices and more value 
(13:30) Building a website alone doesn't guarantee success 
(16:51) Online presence is crucial for success
(23:42) Online cremation brands are not like funeral director kiosks. 
(28:20) Mistake: Assuming a $1,000 customer will become a $4,000 customer. 
(34:56) Online brands need to be clear about what they offer. 
(36:30) Funeral homes should be happy to serve families at their price. 
(37:55) Customers can feel when they are wanted or not. 
(39:28) Get honest feedback by having someone call your funeral home.

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com
 

The stressful environment of the death care professional can be non-stop. Burnout rates are high, and turnover seems to be an ever-present issue withing the funeral profession. In this episode, Will de Michaelis shares his insightful journey into the world of breathwork and meditation. 

While you might think that these are non-sense things for hippies, Will would respectfully disagree. See how breathwork can create lower anxiety, less stress, and the ability to be more connected to people and relationship, the most important facets of death care. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" definitely holds true for this one. 

Timestamps 

(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(00:46) My impression of breathwork and meditation
(02:02) What I found when I started practicing breathwork
(03:04) I might have overlooked what breathwork really is
(03:33) How has breathwork and meditation helped me over the last year
(05:03) My recommendation 

Links Wim Hof | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ
Take a Deep Breath | https://www.youtube.com/@TAKEADEEPBREATH
Joe Dispenza | https://www.youtube.com/@drjoedispenza 

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

With over 80% of new graduates of mortuary school being female, the need for a death care group centered around empowering women is becoming increasingly vital. Founded by some of the more influential women in death care, the Death Care Collective is just getting started. 

Whether you're an owner, a manager, or even just a new graduate, understanding the challenges and support needed for the new majority of death care is important. 

In this episode, we talk to Erin Creger, founding member, as we talk about how this group started out of COVID, grew with some of the most influential women in death care, and what is in store next year.

Timestamps 
(00:00) Intro 
(01:19) Welcome Erin! 
(02:17) How the Death Care Collective started 
(08:57) The core values of the Death Care Collective 
(11:48) Virtual events 
(14:54) What kind of problems does Death Care Collective solve? 
(19:15) What is the Death Care collective actively doing right now? 
(28:40) Erin's first job 
(31:38) Changes Erin have seen over the past 10 years in death care 
(37:05) Any new challenges? 
(42:28) Anything else we can look forward to from the Death Care Collective? 
(43:42) Where does Erin see death care is going in the next 10 years? 
(45:30) Where to find Erin or the Death Care Collective

For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail. Find us at https://directcremation.com
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com