Graves: A Cultural History with Allison C. Meier

In this episode, we speak with writer and tour guide Allison Meier about burial practices, cemeteries, and her latest book, “Grave.” 

Meier shares her insights on the cultural and societal significance of graves, drawing from her experiences leading tours at New York City area cemeteries and her profound interest in the storytelling potential at these historical sites.

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In this episode, we speak with Niki Wiedeman, call excellence facilitator for Dead Ringers, a secret shopper/phone etiquette consulting company, about the importance of impeccable customer service when answering the phone. Click here for full show notes. 

Eric M. Bester talks about "Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation” which was the first standalone facility of its kind in North Carolina, possibly the country. Click here for complete show notes.

Bob Heidlage, president and managing partner of Global Recruiters of Batesville, discusses the ins and outs of recruiting and retaining employees in the funeral service profession. 

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In this episode of Funeral Service Insider, we speak with Bill Ford, president of SESCO Management Consultants, about aspects of the Kates-Boylston Compensation Report, which collected a decade’s worth of data from funeral directors and funeral home owners.

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Stan Goldstein, who writes for both American Funeral Director magazine and American Cemetery and Cremation magazine joins us for our inaugural Year In Review episode.

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Effie Anolik, co-founder and CEO of Afterword, talks about her decision to build a funeral home management platform that helps families arrange funerals online and shares her personal experience of arranging her father’s funeral in 2018. Click here for the full show notes.

An in-depth interview with the American Funeral Director magazine Funeral Director if the Year. Click here for detailed show notes. 

In this episode, we speak with Tori Dixon about how to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion while also strengthening your business in the long term. Click here for complete show notes.

Jon O’Hara, CEO of the Great Lakes Family of Companies in Michigan, which supports funeral homes on their preplanning and marketing, talked about how he worked to change the law in Michigan to allow preneed insurance carriers to continue operating in the state.

He said that it was important to have a local voice working on the issue, and that the relationships that lobbyists have with legislators are key to getting things done. O'Hara also said that it's important to band together with others who are interested in making a change, and to be willing to put in the time and effort to see it through. Click here for complete show notes.