A new MP3 sermon from Emmanuel Reformed Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Resurrection and the Life Subtitle: Funeral Sermons Speaker: Carl Gobelman Broadcaster: Emmanuel Reformed Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/2/2026 Bible: John 11:17-27 Length: 28 min.…

American Cemetery & Cremation editor Tom Nondorf joins Funeral Service Insider editor Tony Russo for part two of this annual review of the top trends from 2025.Di Tony Russo

A new MP3 sermon from First Baptist Church Canyon is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Whitney Clark Funeral Service Speaker: Steven Olsen Broadcaster: First Baptist Church Canyon Event: Funeral Service Date: 1/2/2026 Bible: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Length: 47 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Chilliwack Heritage Reformed Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Funeral - Huite (Bert) Brunia Speaker: Rev. John Procee Broadcaster: Chilliwack Heritage Reformed Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/30/2025 Bible: Psalm 4:8 Length: 52 min.…

A new MP3 sermon from Living Hope Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Good news of Great Joy Subtitle: The gospel of John Speaker: Pastor Doug McConnell Broadcaster: Living Hope Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/29/2025 Bible: Luke 2:8-11 Length: 28 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Fredericksburg Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Larry Proffitt Funeral Subtitle: Single Topic Speaker: Dr. Mark Eden Broadcaster: Fredericksburg Bible Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/23/2025 Length: 45 min.

Fresh off his American Funeral Director Funeral Director of the Year win, Sam James shares the extraordinary journey of his career. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

A new MP3 sermon from Christ Bible Church Kingsport is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Sergio Violante Memorial Service Speaker: Robert Pruitt Broadcaster: Christ Bible Church Kingsport Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/16/2025 Length: 64 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Meadowlands Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Memorial of George Butner Speaker: Pastor Kevin Williams Broadcaster: Meadowlands Baptist Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/20/2025 Length: 65 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Bay Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Louise Grantt Memorial Service Subtitle: Memorial Services Speaker: Rev. Patrick Womack Broadcaster: Bay Presbyterian Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/20/2025 Length: 46 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Covenant Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Funeral Service for Roger Salter Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: Grace Covenant Baptist Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/19/2025 Length: 57 min.

American Cemetery & Cremation editor Tom Nondorf joins Funeral Service Insider editor Tony Russo to discuss some of the top trends from 2025.Di Tony Russo

A new MP3 sermon from Hope Reformed Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Measure Of My Days Subtitle: Psalms Speaker: Rev. Scott Henry Broadcaster: Hope Reformed Church Event: Funeral Service Date: 12/18/2025 Bible: Psalm 39:4-7 Length: 24 min.

Oversight failures, storage disputes, cemetery backlash, and rising interest in green burial highlight a turbulent week in funeral service industry news.Di Tony Russo

Author and cemetery historian Tui Snider explores global burial grounds, grief, Decoration Day traditions, and the stories that make every cemetery unique.Di Tony Russo

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:d6bdccd6-62ef-485a-a885-f0d5d6b795f9-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn…

Brie Bingham shares insights on CANA's growth, cremation's evolution, and the profession's future as the 150th anniversary of modern cremation approaches. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Chptr founder Rehan Choudhry on transforming obituary distribution through AI-supported video, TV partnerships, and a more accessible model for funeral homes.Di Tony Russo

Educators from PIMS on preparing funeral directors for the digital era: ethics, applicant screening, restorative art training, and social media advocacy. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Leadership news, green burial approval, industry donations, and environmental research highlight key developments this week. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

A look at expanding mortuary education, SCI updates, cemetery capacity issues, green burial projects, and a rezoning fight over a proposed crematory. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Evergreen Washelli's Scott Sheehan shares how long-term planning, history, and community engagement helped earn the cemetery national recognition.Di Tony Russo

The Final Salute founder Lanae Stovers shares her unexpected journey into funeral service and how it ignited her mission to honor forgotten veterans. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

From preneed innovation to green burials and courtroom drama, this week's death-care roundup captures growth, recognition, and reform. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Award-winning Green Springs Cemetery creates zones for grief, including the "Wind Phone." A new model for conservation and community solace. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

A look at key funeral industry updates including lawsuits, earnings, cremation debates, and consolidation trends shaping the profession's future. Click here for complete show notes.

Expert Tim Cermak explains the vital role of refractory materials in cremation. Learn how thermal shock, throughput, and maintenance impact equipment life and safety. Click here for complete shownotes.Di Tony Russo

For over a decade, Army veteran Desarey Wilson has fought the Texas Funeral Service Commission to get his professional license, arguing his extensive military experience is "substantially equivalent" to formal schooling. After a brief approval and subsequent revocation, his license was designated "null and void," forcing him into a costly, ongoing …

This week's show covers Batesville selling its MIS software business to Plotbox and a preview of upcoming Q3 earnings coverage of Carriage, SCI, and Matthews. We discuss a lawsuit against Forest Lawn over a $20,000 funeral and debate proper compensation for mistakes. Also: a story on a Texas funeral director's dispute, a mention of Jon Lafrandt's n…

Funeral Service Insider highlights outreach, recycling for good, and inclusive care—showing how funeral professionals are redefining their role in a changing industry. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "598e4182-0a1f-47ea-8380-8af616f8e9b4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Discover how Garfield is helping crematories adopt eco-friendly recycling practices that protect …

American Cemetery & Cremation editor, Tom Nondorf, brings us up to date on cemetery news and trends. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Funeral industry updates include Texas legal rulings, a new Before I Die Festival, and growing collaboration in end-of-life care. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

From Tesla lawsuits to alkaline hydrolysis, this week's episode explores legal, financial, and educational shifts in the funeral service industry. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Jess Wakefield shares her journey from working night shifts in a nursing home to becoming a funeral director, corporate leader, and innovator at Better Place Forests and EverIs. In this candid conversation, she reflects on the pros and cons of corporate vs. family-owned funeral homes, the shift toward digital cremation planning, and her vision for …

South Carolina blocks a fraudster's funeral home sale. Industry debates: community cemeteries, service fees, and Amarillo's transport contract. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Green burials blocked, Texas scandal deepens, Carriage expands, NJ legalizes terramation, Vegas mishandling case, and social media tips for funeral pros. Click here for complete show notes.

A new innovation from Federal Eagle aims to help funeral homes grow revenue and better serve grieving families in the evolving cremation market. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Starmark plans a major national expansion under new CCO Michael Jewart, boosting service centers and hands-on support to transform funeral industry operations. Click here for complete show notes.

A week of shake-ups: canceled deals, new programs, shuttered services, legal battles, and scandal shaking the funeral service world. Click here for show notes.

Matt Van Drimmelen will present "Getting ROI Out of Aftercare at Your Funeral Home: Turning Compassion into Long-Term Value" at the Kates-Boylston Advances in Funeral Innovations Conference Nov. 12 in Detroit. Visit www.events.kates-boylston.com for more details. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Click here for complete show notes.

Scott Jensen breaks down how funeral homes can harness AI and SEO shifts to boost visibility, streamline marketing, and better serve families. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Alanna Navin details her experience at ICCFA University, from cemetery management courses to lessons she applies in her role at Restland Funeral Home. Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

Click here for complete show notes.Di Tony Russo

In this week's episode, we have Tukios' acquisition of Batesville's website business, Tribute Tech's partnership with Chptr, a new mobile and desktop software platform from Inman, Matthews International announces a succession, and Illinois' passes a cemetery bill. Meanwhile, controversy continues in Texas, a strange, unfortunate lawsuit is filed in…

Vice President of Sales Optimization Homesteaders Life Company, Cole Waybright discusses the importance of a strategic approach to tech adoption. Discover his insights on avoiding common pitfalls, improving productivity by up to 25%, and reducing errors by 50% with an integrated system. Learn how to ask the right questions before your next technolo…

Michaelene Dowers is a licensed funeral director working remotely across more than a dozen states. She earned her license in California in 2014 but left shortly after due to low wages and a high cost of living. After moving across the Midwest and working in multiple states, she began contracting with online cremation providers and built a career ar…

This week's episode covers Carriage's evolving strategy under CEO Carlos Quesada, the sale of Shepherd Memorial Park is on hold, and a funeral home loses its license over storage concerns. Plus, the Texas Funeral Service Commission sues and unsues its lawyers, Tribute Technologies reports strong financial performance and more. Click here for comple…

Arron Butler of Domani Preneed discusses how funeral professionals can use authentic online engagement and AI-powered strategies to build trust, grow personal brands, and connect with modern families. Click here for complete show notes. Aaron will be a speaker at the Kates-Boylston 2025 Marketing Summit. Click here to register.…