The Director's Playbook

Hosted by Funeral Directors Life

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Oct 2026

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About the show

It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as host Paul Lovelace welcomes knowledgeable guests and shares insights and solutions from his 30+ years in sales, finance, and the funeral profession. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help your funeral home thrive.

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60 recent

October 22, 202633 min

Nick Timpe and the future of cemetery care

As families' expectations evolve, funeral homes and cemeteries must find new ways to work together. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace and Nick Timpe discuss how digital tools are transforming cemetery operations, reducing errors, and creating a more connected experience for families. Nick shares how the right technology can help cemeteries preserve legacies, reduce errors, and create a more connected experience for families. Tune in to discover how the right technology can help connect your funeral home and the cemeteries you work with! About Nick Timpe: Nick Timpe is the President and CEO of webCemeteries. With a focus on helping cemeteries modernize and preserve legacies, Nick and his team work with cemeteries to digitize records, streamline operations, and bridge the gap between funeral homes and cemeteries to create a more connected experience for families. Connect with Nick here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-timpe-09a6724/ Learn more about webCemeteries here: https://webcemeteries.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt

October 8, 202637 min

Financial confidence for funeral homes with Trevor Rupe

Feeling the pressure of rising costs, higher interest rates, and economic uncertainty? While you can’t control the economy, you can control how your funeral home responds to it. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Trevor Rupe to discuss how funeral home owners can successfully navigate today's economic environment. Trevor breaks down complex financial topics and shares practical insights on pricing, planning, investments, and long-term growth. Tune in to learn how focusing on thoughtful planning, smart financial decisions, and controllable factors can help your business stay strong, no matter what the market brings. About Trevor Rupe: Trevor Rupe is the Chief Investment Officer at Parkway Advisors. With a strong background in portfolio management and a practical approach to complex financial topics, Trevor brings valuable insight to funeral home owners looking to strengthen their businesses. Connect with Trevor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-rupe-cfa-6657aaa4/ Learn more about Parkway Advisors here: https://www.parkwayadvisors.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

September 10, 202636 min

Becoming a funeral home owner with Amanda Shropshire

What does it take to become a first-time funeral home owner with no blueprint to follow? The short answer: Vision, resilience, and a commitment to families. Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Amanda Shropshire to hear how she built her first funeral home from the ground up. Amanda talks about her journey from funeral director to funeral home owner and shares the lessons she learned along the way. You’ll also hear her tips on personalized services, funeral home marketing, and asking for help. Tune into this episode for honest insights on ownership, community involvement, and service that you can use in your funeral home! About Amanda Shropshire: Amanda Shropshire is the Owner and Funeral Director at Kermit Funeral Home. She also serves as the President of the West Texas Funeral Directors Association. In 2021, Amanda received the Young Funeral Director of the Year award. Learn more about Kermit Funeral Home here: https://www.kermitfuneralhome.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

August 27, 202639 min

Digital marketing myths with Mitchell McLean and Haley Laurence

As digital marketing continues to evolve, separating trends from truth has never been more important. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace is joined by digital marketing experts Mitchell McLean and Haley Laurence to debunk common myths and share practical insights on websites, Google reviews, search visibility, and building trust online. They also explore how AI is changing SEO and share practical ways clear messaging and authentic content can help your funeral home get found, build trust, and better serve families. About Mitchell McLean: Mitchell McLean is the Vice President of Digital Marketing at Funeral Directors Life. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the podcast. Connect with Mitchell here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellmclean/ About Haley Laurence: Haley Laurence works directly with funeral homes as the Digital Marketing Supervisor at Funeral Directors Life. Her hands-on experience gives her a unique perspective on what actually works in digital marketing and what doesn't. Connect with Haley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-laurence-6a1a34b2/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

August 13, 202644 min

Brady Cox on why every funeral home should livestream

A funeral service may last an hour, but families want to hold on to those moments for a lifetime. Livestreaming makes that possible. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace talks with Brady Cox about how funeral home livestreaming is reshaping the way families experience and remember a service. Brady explains how livestreaming connects families in a meaningful way, preserves memories, and enhances your care. Plus, livestreaming can even drive measurable results, like preneed leads. Don’t miss this discussion on how livestreaming, digital keepsakes, and on-demand viewing can help your funeral home better serve families today and tomorrow. About Brady Cox: Brady Cox is the CEO at OneRoom, a livestreaming platform that serves funeral homes across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Brady has over 15 years of experience in technology and software. Connect with Brady here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradycox/ Learn more about OneRoom here: https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

July 30, 202638 min

Jamie Sarche on educating families before a loss

What if every family in your community understood the value of a funeral? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Jamie Sarche to talk about how funeral homes can better educate families before a loss occurs. Jamie shares how to ask better questions, reframe direct cremation conversations, and help families make more informed decisions. Whether you're facing more direct cremation requests or looking for better ways to talk with families about planning ahead, this episode gives you practical tools to start those conversations. About Jamie Sarche: Jamie Sarche is the Director of Preplanning at Feldman Mortuary and has over a decade of experience in the funeral profession. Connect with Jamie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-sarche/ Learn more about Feldman Mortuary here: https://feldmanmortuary.com/home/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

July 16, 202646 min

Brent Thomas on turning first impressions into lasting trust

Before the arrangement conference, there’s a phone call. And in that brief conversation, families are already deciding if your funeral home is the right fit or if they should keep looking. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Brent Thomas to discuss the critical roles first impressions and customer experience play in the funeral profession. Brent draws on years of research, data, and experience to show how small changes can build trust and improve families' experiences. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how intentional communication, ongoing training, and a commitment to service can help your funeral home stand out when families need you most. About Brent Thomas: Brent Thomas is the Chief Customer Officer at Dead Ringers and has decades of experience in the funeral profession. Connect with Brent here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-thomas-98ba29142/ Learn more about Dead Ringers here: https://deadringers.co/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

July 2, 202643 min

Matt Van Drimmelen and the power of aftercare

For most funeral homes, aftercare stops at a sympathy card or a phone call. But what happens when you actually help families navigate what comes after the funeral? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Matt Van Drimmelen to talk about how service-based aftercare can set your funeral home apart and drive real growth. Matt shares how helping families with estate closings builds the kind of loyalty that increases reviews, referrals, and preneed conversations. You’ll also learn how combining personal care with thoughtful technology creates an aftercare experience families never forget. About Matt Van Drimmelen: Matt Van Drimmelen is the Founder and CEO of Full Circle Aftercare. Connect with Matt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-van-drimmelen-97196831/ Learn more about Full Circle Aftercare here: https://www.full-circlecare.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

June 18, 202639 min

Hospice and funeral home relationships with Melissa Luton

Did you know that roughly half of all deaths in the U.S. involve hospice care? That means the relationship you have with hospice providers directly impacts how families learn about your funeral home and how prepared they are when they see you. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Melissa Luton to talk about how your funeral home can strengthen its relationship with hospice providers. Melissa shares how stronger partnerships help support families, why educating families matters, and how staying connected with hospice teams can set your funeral home apart. For 27 years' worth of real-world perspective and ideas you can put to work, tune in to this episode of The Director's Playbook. About Melissa Luton: Melissa Luton is the Community Outreach Manager at Hendrick Hospice Care and has 27 years of experience in hospice care and community outreach. About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

June 4, 202643 min

Tom Antram on using preneed for funeral home growth

How long could your funeral home survive without a single at-need call? With an active preneed program, it’s longer than you think. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace and Tom Antram sit down to talk about how preneed can protect your funeral home’s future. They explore strategies for aligning your at-need and preneed teams, choosing the partners and providers, and using technology to improve your families' experiences. Don’t miss this conversation that features decades of experience and ideas you can put to work in your funeral home today. About Tom Antram: Tom Antram is the President and CEO of French Funerals & Cremations. He is a Board Member for the New Mexico Board of Funeral Service and has previously served as the President of Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Connect with Tom here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-antram-cfsp-1a9b1217/ Learn more about French Funerals & Cremations here: https://www.frenchfunerals.com/ Find out more ways to grow your preneed program the right way here: https://www.fdl.co/blog/preneed-competitive-advantage About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

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