The Direct Cremation Podcast

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential for any business—especially for funeral homes, where families often search for services during critical times. In the most recent Direct Cremation Podcast episode, Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, discussed Google’s Local Service Ads with co-founder Albert Chang. They explain how Local Service Ads can help funeral homes capture leads and reach local families more effectively. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone managing a funeral home, cremation website, or cemetery.Get your own step-by-step guide to set up Local Service Ads yourself here:https://learn.partingpro.com/google-local-ads-for-funeral-homeTimestamps(00:00) Intro(00:44) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:32) What Albert Will Share with Us Today(02:44) Explanation of Local Service Ads(03:49) Benefits of Local Service Ads(04:53) Comparison between Local Service Ads and Search Ads(05:35) Advantages of Local Service Ads(06:05) Costing of Local Service Ads(08:28) Disputing Phone Calls(09:34) Importance of Local Search Ads(10:38) Reasons to run Search Ads(12:21) Process of Getting Screened for Local Search Ads(15:30) Running Full Service Ads(16:05) Importance of Business Page Information(16:38) Understanding and Managing Local Service AdsFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant 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, host Tyler Yamasaki sits down with Christopher Teel, a first-generation funeral director who has built multiple thriving businesses in death care. Discover how Teel went from pursuing law to owning multiple funeral brands, including a high-volume cremation service and a traditional funeral home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.🔥 Listen in as we explore:• Teel’s unexpected journey into death care• The rise of cremation rates and how funeral homes can adapt• The power of sales in the arrangement room and why it’s essential for funeral success• Strategies to maintain a personal touch, even in online arrangements• Predictions for the future of the funeral industryWhether you're a funeral professional or just curious about the evolving world of death care, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on more industry insights!Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:56) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:33) Welcome Christopher Teel!(01:56) Christoper’s journey(04:53) Salesmanship in a funeral home(10:28) Christopher's cremation brand: Rivercrest(16:44) What makes Christopher a good salesperson(18:00) Meeting every family where they are(22:25) The crossover between Christopher's two brands(24:14) Do you mix and mingle staff?(24:56) What drives Christopher?(26:46) How Christoper sees the market for his cremation and traditional funeral home brand(30:10) How important is the 1st call etiquette?(32:08) Is Rivercrest the most affordable in its area?(35:56) What's next for Rivercrest Cremation?(37:44) How Christopher sees the future of deathcare(40:17) Christopher's celebration/event center(44:57) What Christopher thinks deathcare will look like in 10 yearsFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant 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 sit down with Jeff Smith, a third-generation funeral director and the visionary behind Smith Family Funeral Homes and Arkansas Cremation. Jeff’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—he has more than 10X’d his family’s business in Central Arkansas, built both traditional and cremation-focused funeral homes, and created a small death care empire.With 10 years of NFDA’s Pursuit of Excellence awards, his company is set to be inducted into the NFDA’s “Hall of Excellence” for their consistent achievement - a true testament to their dedication and impact in the industry.Join us as we delve into Jeff's entrepreneurial spirit, the secrets to scaling multiple businesses, and his unique approach to funeral service. This conversation is packed with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss!Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:06) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(02:03) Welcome Jeff Smith!(02:41) Jeff's deathcare journey(08:17) Jeff purchasing multiple funeral homes(15:21) The consistency across Jeff's funeral homes(21:20) Characteristics to look for when acquiring new funeral homes(23:32) The thought process behind operating Arkansas Cremation(32:56) Different levels/packages of direct cremation(37:19) People becoming less traditional(39:01) Jeff having multiple acquisitions in 2020-2021(44:50) Jeff's pre-need life insurance company(49:04) What's next for Jeff?(50:01) The story behind the name "Cyrus"(51:31) What's next for Cyrus Works?(53:26) Post-covid consumer trends(56:54) What Jeff thinks deathcare will look like in 10 years?(01:04:37) Where to find Jeff SmithFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Want a forecast of your service area or audit of your current Google Campaign? Get it here: https://partingpro.com/marketing-servicesOnline marketing might seem easy to set up, but getting it right is another story.In this episode, my co-founder Albert Chang walks you through the top 10 mistakes that could be draining your ad budget.It’s not just about following the basics or letting Google handle everything—there are seasoned competitors out there who will grab the attention of your families if your marketing isn’t on point.Let’s make sure your marketing dollars are working hard for you, not going to waste.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:30) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:04) Welcome Albert Chang!(01:47) What it takes to be really good at digital marketing(03:37) Top 10 mistakes funeral homes make with their digital marketing(04:04) #1 Neglecting Negative Keywords(08:35) #2 Poor Ad Copy(12:22) #3 Ignoring Ad Extensions(15:17) #4 Unoptimized Landing Pages(18:20) #5 Improper Bidding Strategy(20:38) #6 Lack of Conversion Tracking/ Tracking “Wrong” Conversions(24:57) #7 Inconsistent Budget Management(27:34) #8 Skipping Ad Scheduling(30:28) #9 Lack of Audience Targeting(32:07) #10 Lack of Keywords Grouping / “Wrong” Keywords Grouping(34:05) Bonus #11 Not Setting Up Google Business ProfilesFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

From humble beginnings in the death care industry nearly 30 years ago, Troy Kaltenberg's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting at Service Corporation International, he cut his teeth in the world of pre-need sales. Fast forward to today, and Troy has built a thriving cremation brand, Grand Rapids Cremation Services, serving thousands of families and earning rave reviews along the way.In this episode, we dive into the story of this first-generation funeral director who, in just five years, turned his vision into a powerhouse business. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own brand or just curious about what it takes to succeed in this industry, you won’t want to miss this conversation.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:53) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:46) Troy's Background(03:02) Troy took a decade away from deathcare(05:07) What led Troy to start his own business(10:20) How did Troy grow so quickly?(13:39) How to maintain good reviews?(15:46) How much of Troy's business is in-house vs. using 3rd party(18:13) Does Troy still see a lot of families now?(22:27) What's the most important for Troy?(27:39) Where does Troy see his business going?(35:34) Any big plans or changes coming to Troy's business?(36:32) Troy's staff(38:20) What Troy thinks deathcare will look like in 10 yearsFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Barbara is back, baby! 🎉In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), joining us for the third time! Barbara is here to drop some serious knowledge bombs about the latest cremation trends.In this jam-packed episode, we dive into CANA's annual report, one of the most comprehensive in the industry. We uncover fascinating insights into death rates and the ever-evolving choices families make between cremation and burial. Did you know that while cremation is on the rise, the growth rate is starting to slow down a bit? Find out why. 📊We also take a state-by-state tour, revealing some surprising stats. 10 points if you can guess which state finished at just about 32.6% cremation and which state tops the chart with an astronomical 83.1%. 🌎🔥This is THE episode you don’t want to miss! Hit play and join us for an engaging and informative discussion with one of the industry’s top experts. 🚀👂Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:02) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:40) Welcome back Barbara!(01:58) Quick intro about Barbara(03:26) What goes into creating the report every year?(05:58) The next 5 years in terms of growth(08:19) Why certain states have very high cremation rates(15:45) We're at a 15-year lag if we follow the Canadian trends?(18:48) Predictions(21:27) How long have they been doing the reports?(26:22) Was there anything in the data that surprised Barbara?(31:38) What Barbara did in England(38:37) The upcoming Cremation Innovation ConventionLink to the summarized CANA report: https://www.cremationassociation.org/industrystatistics.htmlFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

With three decades of experience, Scott Newton is a seasoned veteran in the death care industry. As President and founding member of Graystone Associates, Scott and his team have been helping funeral homes thrive for over 20 years. After assisting hundreds of funeral homes, Scott reveals the key strategies and metrics essential for growing market share.In this episode, discover Scott's insights on innovation in death care (a must), adopting a growth mindset (absolutely necessary), and the one crucial metric that drives the highest valuation in the industry [(34:08)]. Gain invaluable knowledge from a true expert—watch now!Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:51) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(01:21) Welcome Scott Newton(01:33) How Scott got into deathcare(03:56) How Graystone helps funeral homes(10:04) Biggest gaps funeral homeowners overlook(12:59) Creating new ideas vs. hitting goals(14:37) Thoughts on this rapid change and how it affects the funeral homeowners(20:21) Adapting quickly vs. doubling down on what works(25:27) How Scott would deal with a confused customer(30:27) "The M&A side of deathcare is more active than it's ever been"(34:08) How to increase a company's valuation(40:49) Graystone's marketing strategy(46:50) What does Scott think deathcare will look like 10 years from now?(54:32) How to contact GraystoneFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com

Running four different locations is challenging. Maintaining a 5.0-star rating on Google for all of them? Almost impossible. But Julie Bishop of Crevasse’s Simple Cremation does it with finesse.In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, discover Julie’s journey from her beginnings to expanding her cremation business to serve thousands of grateful families. Learn her secrets to maintaining a consistent, five-star experience across multiple locations and teams without compromising quality.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:55) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast(02:01) How Julie got into deathcare(05:57) How Julie knew that she wanted to start a cremation brand(08:07) Was there ever any trepidation?(09:25) What was Julie's 1st year was like(10:50) How they got their first 200-300 customers(12:25) Where is Julie's business now?(13:30) Hundreds of genuine 5-star ratings(15:49) Thoughts on the newer disposition types(19:59) Anything new or different for Crevasse in 2024?(20:49) Having dedicated staff for each location(23:08) What the next level of growth looks like for Crevasse(23:59) How does Julie feel about the direct disposition as a Floridian?(25:55) Should the direct disposal license be a separate class?(28:34) Where Julie think deathcare goes in 10 years(31:02) Would Crevasse add services to capture the outside of the funeral home?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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant 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 thoughtsFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant 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 CarolineFor 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/3PxOqMOFind us at https://directcremation.comSpotify: http://bit.ly/3yDEwj7Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3lj2soTWant to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com