The Director's Playbook

Funeral Directors Life
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    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

    Brent Thomas on turning first impressions into lasting trust

  2. Jul 2

    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

    Matt Van Drimmelen and the power of aftercare

  3. Jun 18

    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

    Hospice and funeral home relationships with Melissa Luton

  4. Jun 4

    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

    Tom Antram on using preneed for funeral home growth

  5. May 21

    Adapting to the rise in cremation with Billy Eaton

    The rise in cremation is undeniable, but the real question is: how are you adapting? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Billy Eaton to the podcast for a conversation on adapting to the rise in cremation. Billy shares how technology-driven arrangement conferences can increase average revenue, why personalized jewelry and artisan glass are resonating with families, and how strategic merchandising can help you better serve families and close the revenue gap. For expert insights and valuable takeaways, tune in to this episode of The Director’s Playbook. About Billy Eaton: Billy Eaton is the Vice President of Strategic and National Accounts at Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions. Connect with Billy here: / billy-eaton-0304a123 Learn more about Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions here: https://matthewsaurora.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... Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

    Adapting to the rise in cremation with Billy Eaton

  6. May 7

    Funeral home marketing strategies with Kasi Welch Baker

    Funeral home marketing looks different today than it did 20 years ago. With so much change, you may feel overwhelmed. But you aren’t alone. In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, Kasi shares her expertise on modern funeral home marketing and tips for digital adaptation. From strengthening your website and offering online arrangements to investing in community relationships and pet services, learn practical ways to stay present, relevant, and accessible to today’s families. About Kasi Welch Baker: Kasi Welch Baker is the Owner and Funeral Director at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, Yellow Rose Cremation, and Companions Pet Cremation Services. She is also on the Board of Directors at Directors Investment Group. Connect with Kasi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasi-welch-baker-7a4006bb/ Learn more about Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory here: https://npwelch.com/ Learn more about Yellow Rose Cremation here: https://www.yellowrosecremation.com/ Learn more about Companions Pet Cremation Services here: https://www.companionspetcremation.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

    Funeral home marketing strategies with Kasi Welch Baker

  7. Apr 23

    Hospitality in funeral service with Tracey Brumley

    What do families remember most about a funeral home? Usually, it’s the way you made them feel. And that’s where hospitality comes in. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Tracey Brumley to talk about what true hospitality looks like in funeral service. Tracey shares how to elevate your service without overcomplicating your operations through intentional training, gathering feedback, and more. For practical insights to elevate your service, tune in to this episode of The Director’s Playbook! About Tracey Brumley: Tracey Brumley is the Event Center Manager and Executive Administrator of Funeral Operations at Spring Grove Funeral Homes. Connect with Tracey here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceybrumley/ Learn more about Spring Grove here: https://www.springgrove.org/ 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

    Hospitality in funeral service with Tracey Brumley

  8. Apr 9

    Funeral home finances with Ian Seekins

    Are you overlooking numbers that can make or break your business? Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Ian Seekins to the podcast to tackle funeral home financials. Ian shares the financial metrics every funeral home owner should track, why these numbers matter, and how they impact your funeral home. If you’re looking to better understand or improve your finances, this episode is for you! About Ian Seekins: With over a decade of experience in the financial industry, Ian Seekins serves as the Director of Funeral Home Lending at Funeral Directors Life (FDL). Learn more about FDL’s lending services here: https://www.fdl.co/financial/mortgage-lending Have a lending or financial question for Ian? Contact him here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ian-seekins/fdlending 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

    Funeral home finances with Ian Seekins
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Funeral Directors Life
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean

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