On Deathcare

Tony Russo
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Each week we deliver news and commentary for end-of-life professionals. ondeathcare.substack.com

  1. 1d ago

    Managing Multi-State Licensing with Michaelene Dowers

    Tony Russo sits down with funeral director, entrepreneur, and expat Michaelene Dowers. Moving away from their usual industry-wide discussions, the conversation shifts to Michaelene’s current life in Scotland and her new venture: Combly, an app designed to revolutionize how funeral directors track professional continuing education credits. Subscribe to stay informed on professional development, regulatory updates, and stories from across the funeral service profession. Key Discussion Points: * Life and Business Abroad: Michaelene shares her journey of relocating to Scotland to pursue a PhD, and how she established a cross-border cremated remains scattering service for families in the US and Canada looking to lay loved ones to rest in the UK. * The Inspiration Behind Combly: After facing a stressful state audit in Indiana that resulted in a heavy financial penalty simply due to misplaced digital files, Michaelene realized the immense friction professionals face keeping track of multi-state licenses and continuing education. * What is Combly? * Combly is a specialized app built for funeral service professionals to manage all of their licensing information and CE certificates in one secure place. * Users can easily upload certificates as they earn them and generate clean, comprehensive audit reports (including cover sheets) for state boards on demand. * Covers all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Canadian provinces, with long-term goals of expanding internationally to regions like the UK and Australia as they develop structured licensing frameworks. * Future Roadmap: Michaelene discusses plans for future updates (targeted for 2027) that will allow CE providers to log credits directly into Combly, further reducing the administrative burden on busy funeral directors. * Industry Standards & Accountability: A frank discussion on the importance of baseline education, the realities of multi-state licensing, and how digital compliance tools can help safeguard both professionals and grieving families. Connect & Find Michaelene: * NFDA Annual Convention: Look out for Michaelene wandering the convention floor catching up on her own CEs. She’ll be easy to spot in her bee-themed clothing! Visit Combly.care here. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Managing Multi-State Licensing with Michaelene Dowers

  2. 2d ago

    Fruitgate, Coffin Chaos, and Traitors Drama

    In this episode of the Joe Vanella Report, host Tony Russo and roving reporter Spencer Haik break down the latest drama from The Traitors: New Blood. Following a literal “buried alive” challenge that resulted in Naya’s dramatic elimination, the Faithfuls are thrown into chaos. Victor tries to accuse Joe and Tamika of acting suspiciously with fruit around the time of the murder, only for his theory to fall completely flat at the round table. Instead, Michael gets voted out, leaving Joe safe for now. Plus, Spencer shares exciting updates on Vault Funeral Tech’s brand-new partnership with Titan Casket ahead of the NFDA convention in Charlotte! Key Timestamps & Discussion Points * 00:00 – Welcome & Spoilers Avoidance: Tony and Spencer kick off the show, discussing how to dodge reality TV spoilers. * 00:40 – The Coffin Challenge Fallout: Reviewing the shocking burial challenge and Naya’s elimination after Joe’s “murder in plain sight” apple toss. * 02:15 – Enter “Fruit Gate”: Faithful Victor pieces together that Joe and Tamika were acting strangely with fruit on the night of the murder. * 03:30 – The Laboratory & Cemetery Challenge: Contestants run back and forth, matching screams to severed heads to build up the prize pot. * 04:30 – The Round Table Defense: Victor tries to rally the group against Tamika using his fruit theory, but it backfires, leading to Michael’s elimination instead. * 07:29 – Vault Funeral Tech Updates: Spencer shares details on Vault’s major new partnership with Titan Casket to expand B2B marketplace options, express delivery, and inventory. * 09:41 – Upcoming Travel & NFDA: Wrapping up with previews for the upcoming National Funeral Directors Association convention in Charlotte. * Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Fruitgate, Coffin Chaos, and Traitors Drama

  3. 3d ago

    Open-Air Pyres, Floral Delivery Brawls, and the Funeral Women Lead Report

    In this episode, Tony Russo discusses small stories making waves across the funeral profession, including independent funeral home acquisitions, green burial laws, death doula conferences, corporate earnings updates, and a major new study on women in funeral service. Segment Breakdown & Show Notes 1. Independent Funeral Home Acquisitions & Community Legacy * The Story: Tony speaks with Daniel Symonds, owner of Symonds Family Funeral Chapels in Illinois (Elgin and Cary), who recently renamed his businesses following an acquisition. * The Takeaway: Unlike corporate consolidators who may close smaller or redundant locations (such as a recent Park Lawn acquisition highlighted previously), independent owners like Symonds focus on maintaining a community presence and running a vocation rather than chasing massive profit margins. 2. Terramation (Human Composting) in Australia * The Story: New South Wales is taking steps to become the first state in Australia to introduce terramation as a legal option[cite: 1]. * Details: The bill, introduced by independent MP Alex Greenwich and supported by the NSW government, passed unanimously through the lower house[cite: 1]. * Link: Read more on Alex Greenwich’s Facebook Page. 3. Healthcare Meets Death Care: Cleveland State Conference * The Story: Cleveland State University is hosting the “Labor Out Conference” centered on where healthcare meets death care[cite: 1]. * Details: Held on October 28th, the event brings local death doulas and nurses together to improve hospice collaboration and ease the death process for families[cite: 1]. * Link: Read the coverage. 4. News of the Weird: Miami-Dade Floral Delivery Dispute * The Story: A delivery person dropping off funeral flowers at a Miami-Dade establishment got into an argument after being told arrangements were no longer being accepted. * Details: The situation escalated into physical battery, monkey gestures, and a surprising twist involving police review of security footage. 5. Clarification: Lexington Crematory Debate * Correction/Update: Tony clarifies his previous coverage regarding the town of Lexington and a specialized crematory requested by the South Asian community for religious needs (Hindus and Sikhs). * Details: The town voted 4-2 against building the facility, citing high operating costs versus projected revenue, rather than actively blocking a private group from building one. 6. Open-Air Funeral Pyres in Crestone, Colorado * The Story: A spotlight on America’s only legal open-air funeral pyre, operated by volunteers with the Crestone End-of-Life Project in the San Luis Valley. 7. Corporate Updates: Carriage Services Dividend * The Story: Carriage Services announced they are maintaining their regular dividend at $0.1125 per share, signaling stable financial footing ahead of early November earnings calls. 8. 2026 State of Women in Funeral Service Pulse Survey * The Story: Breaking news and key highlights from the inaugural Funeral Women Lead industry pulse survey report. * Key Findings: * Emotional Depletion: 73% of women feel emotionally depleted at least sometimes, though 75% plan to stay in the field. * Burnout Triggers: 36% cite compensation; 30% cite staffing and schedules. * Mentorship Gap: 64% lack a mentor, and 49% want a sponsor, but only 14% currently have one. * Generational Breakdown: Gen Z reports the lowest voice (4% feel adequate influence) and highest depletion; Millennials carry the heaviest burnout squeeze (45%). Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Open-Air Pyres, Floral Delivery Brawls, and the Funeral Women Lead Report

  4. Oct 13

    Pierce Board Expansion, Park Lawn Changes, & Small-Town Zoning Battles

    In this weekly rundown of news from around funeral service, Tony Russo covers major institutional changes, regulatory hurdles, corporate shake-ups, and legal updates from across the globe. Key Topics & Stories Covered 1. Pierce Mortuary Colleges: Leadership & Consolidation * Board Expansion: Pierce’s Board of Directors expanded from three to seven members. * Consolidation Goals: The move signals progress toward the colleges’ long-term effort to secure a single accreditation for its three campuses rather than maintaining separate accreditations for each. * Notable Appointment: Dr. Shana Garrett was added to the board, bringing valuable expertise in higher education distance learning to help navigate this unprecedented transition. 2. Park Lawn Corporation Executive Shake-Up * Corporate Restructuring: Following dramatic leadership changes earlier in the year, Park Lawn announced its current board and executive team. 3. International Spotlight: Australia & New Zealand News * Industry Profile: Judy Cole of Canberra’s family-owned William Cole Funerals was recently profiled in Region Magazine, discussing her multi-generational legacy, running the business alongside her husband and daughter, and the challenges of being a woman in a historically male-dominated industry. * Leadership Role: Cole was named Senior Vice President of the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales Division of Funerals Australia. 4. South Dakota Vital Records System Bottlenecks * Tech Glitches: A new statewide vital record system launched by the South Dakota Department of Health caused severe processing delays, backlogs, and financial stress for families and funeral homes. * State Response: Health officials stated they are actively working to clear the software bottlenecks, though a hard resolution date has not been set. 5. Legal Update: Anderson, Indiana Embezzlement Case * Plea Deal: Former funeral director Adriana McCoy avoided prison under a plea deal after stealing nearly $50,000. * Clarification on Victims: While early reports suggested families were the primary victims, statements from Legacy Cremation and Funeral Services clarify that McCoy mostly stole from her employer, alongside instances of altered billing. Under the deal, she is ordered to return $30,000. 6. Frank Duca Crematory Zoning Battle in Pennsylvania * Building Dispute: Funeral director Frank Duca faced fierce opposition from an anonymous citizens’ association (”Cambria for Responsible Development”) after leaving space for a crematory during a building expansion. * Zoning Hearings: After arguing that a funeral home zoning default should cover a crematory, Duca is now formally pursuing a zoning variance, leading up to a public hearing. 7. Connecticut Funeral Director Arrested for Stalking * Pending Charges: A funeral director in a small Connecticut town was arrested for allegedly stalking his former business partner and competitor following a years-long falling out. Tony will have detailed reporting published on Connecting Directors. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Pierce Board Expansion, Park Lawn Changes, & Small-Town Zoning Battles

  5. Oct 9

    Apple Ambush & Cliffhangers in the Castle

    Key Highlights & Discussion * Show Dynamics & Timing: * Tony notes this is Episode 3 of the podcast following a week off, while Spencer clarifies that The Traitors has released multiple episodes per drop, putting the show on Episode 5 overall. * Round Table & Strategy: * Joe took a quiet, hands-off approach during the initial round table, allowing other players to draw heat and argue among themselves. * The “Murder in Plain Sight” Task: * The host announced an evening wake for a player to be murdered that night. * The Task: Joe and his fellow traitors had to murder a player in plain sight during the day by getting them to catch an apple tossed from the kitchen. * Joe’s Plan: Joe casually tossed an apple to himself to appear unsuspicious. * Failed Attempt: Joe attempted to toss the apple to a target player who failed to move, leaving the apple to drop to the floor. Joe panicked and ate the apple to play it cool. * Suspicion Arises: At least one non-traitor player grew suspicious that a murder was being executed via fruit. * The Graveyard / Wake Ceremony: * Joe eventually succeeded in getting someone to catch an apple in the final moments. * The group dressed up and attended an outdoor graveside service where four potential victims (including Joe) were placed into closed coffins in the ground. * While in the coffins, the remaining players gave heartfelt speeches about the buried contestants; one player gave a particularly touching speech about Joe, creating internal conflict for him as a traitor. * Cliffhanger: The episode ended, leaving four people in coffins (Joe plus three potential victims), with the identity of the murdered player left unrevealed. * Traitor Susceptibility & Heat Ranking: * Katie (Highest Heat): Received early suspicion for being younger and acting panicky. * Tamika (Middle Heat): Placed at 50/50 risk. * Joe (Lowest Heat): Well-liked by the group, giving him the best chance to deflect or spin fruit-related suspicions. * Game Mechanics Summary: * Every week ends in a round table vote where players present evidence and vote off suspects based on behavior, communication, and trust dynamics. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Oct 8

    Mike Miller on Equipment, Innovation, and Second Retirements

    Subscribe to stay updated on industry insights, equipment innovations, and expert advice to help grow your funeral service business. In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with Mike Miller, outgoing executive at FT (Facultatieve Technologies), to discuss his second retirement, the evolution of FT in North American markets, and the changing landscape of the funeral and cremation industry. Mike shares insights into building brand recognition, scaling equipment for independent funeral homes, and navigating local zoning challenges as cremation rates continue to rise. Key Highlights & Topics Covered * Coming Out of Retirement: Mike discusses his 25-year tenure with Stewart Enterprises, his time working with Invocare in Australia, and why he stepped out of retirement to help FT in North America. * Building the FT Brand in North America: How FT transitioned from supplying high-volume operations to expanding brand awareness across the broader funeral industry through targeted social media and marketing. * Product Innovation — FT3 vs. FTXL: * FT3: Designed for high-volume crematories (handling 6–7 cremations in an 8-hour shift) with built-in safety features and maximum efficiency when running continuously. * FTXL: Engineered specifically for mid-sized funeral homes (handling 200–400 cremations annually) to handle cases up to 1,000 lbs without requiring continuous high-volume operation. * The Economics of In-House Cremation: Why funeral homes face growing pressure to own their cremation equipment, avoid giving away ~30% of their revenue to third parties, and retain full quality control for grieving families. * Industry Trends & Zoning Realities: * Discussion of rising cremation rates. * Practical advice on avoiding community opposition by utilizing local zoning maps and establishing standalone cremation centers in industrial zones. * Leadership Transition & Next Steps: Introducing Dustin, FT’s new plant-focused leader in Medina, Ohio, and Mike’s upcoming retirement plans in Europe. Key Takeaways for Funeral Directors & Crematory Operators * Control Your Revenue and Reputation: Bringing cremation in-house prevents revenue loss and ensures family trust remains in your hands during witness services or special cases. * Work with Zoning, Not Against It: Save time and legal expenses by locating cremation centers in pre-approved industrial zones rather than trying to retrofit residential downtown funeral homes. * Right-Size Your Equipment: Match your equipment capacity to your actual volume rather than over-investing in high-volume machinery. Notable Quotes * “If you’re a volume player... the FT3 was built for volume. It can churn out six, seven cremations in an eight-hour shift... but for a funeral home doing 200–300, it’d be like buying a Lamborghini to go to the grocery store.” — Mike Miller * “Anytime that body leaves your control, your reputation and everything else goes with it out the door.” — Mike Miller * “You’d be much better off to just start with your zoning maps... find a separate, nice industrial-type facility and build it there.” — Mike Miller Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Mike Miller on Equipment, Innovation, and Second Retirements

  7. Oct 6

    Selected Court Order, Matthews Rightsizing & Seattle Rebuild

    Episode Summary: Tony Russo breaks down a busy news cycle in funeral service, covering legal halts on a major industry vote, shifts in corporate M&A strategies, board shakeups, rising casket prices, and a local Seattle funeral home’s path to rebuilding after arson. Key Topics Covered * Breaking News: Selected Independent Funeral Homes Voting Halted * Members filed a formal complaint in Ohio (Summit County Court of Common Pleas) seeking transparency on what they were voting on regarding NFDA arrangement terms. * A Temporary Restraining Order was issued, giving Selected 14 days to produce requested documents and providing members 30 days to review them before any vote can proceed. * Mergers & Acquisitions Shifts * Market shifts, interest rates, and high real estate prices are altering traditional consolidation strategies. * Park Lawn Acquisition: Acquired a historic 1960s SCI property, closed the facility, retained all but one employee. * Real Estate Strategy Trends: Firms are showing increased interest in buying the business assets rather than keeping expensive real estate. * Carriage Services: Announced an approach to M&A to preserve shareholder value during uncertain market conditions. * Matthews International Board & Leadership Changes * Matthews has rightsized its board down from 10 to 8 members. * Discussed activist investor Barrington Capital’s influence and the board’s shift to non-death care manufacturing industry experts. * Casket Pricing: Industry talk around potential upcoming price increases driven by market leader Batesville and followed by Matthews. * Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory Rebuilding Update * After a 2025 arson, owner Russ Weeks has decided to rebuild and reopen at the original South Seattle location following regulatory limitations on moving the crematory elsewhere. * Featured Spotlight: Kenneth Johnson * Preview of an upcoming interview with combat veteran and Worsham student Kenneth Johnson (Funeral Service Foundation scholarship recipient). * Focus on programs that connect veterans with independent funeral homes using military funding and the GI Bill to support staffing and potential succession planning. Mentioned Links & Resources * Website & Subscriptions: ondeathcare.com (Subscribe for free or paid options to receive weekly news alerts and the Beyond the Rest Saturday column). * Feature Story: Check connectingdirectors.com for Tony’s profile on Kenneth Johnson. * Contact: Email feedback or insights to bytonyrusso@gmail.com or reply directly to the newsletter email. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Selected Court Order, Matthews Rightsizing & Seattle Rebuild

  8. Sep 29

    Stress, Standards, and Cultural Shifts

    In this episode of The Rest, host Tony Russo dives into critical news and lighter stories affecting funeral service, emphasizing the mental health challenges funeral directors face and the ongoing obstacles surrounding community crematories. Key Topics Covered: * Industry Mental Health & Tragedy: Tony reflects on the tragic death of a funeral home executive amidst a body-switching scandal, sparking an important discussion on the cumulative, hidden stress funeral directors carry. * Zoning Pushback & NIMBYism: A look at the opposition facing a proposed specialized crematory in Lexington, Massachusetts, intended to serve local Sikh, Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist communities. * Funeral Directors in the Spotlight: Celebrating professionals stepping out from behind the scenes, including an Australian funeral director appearing on My Kitchen Rules and Dan Madden at Fashion Week. * Pop Culture & Film Updates: Christopher Walken stars as a struggling funeral director in the movie Back in Black, which recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. * Regulatory Issues: A discussion on Nebraska’s Dorsey Funeral Home receiving probation for pre-licensure testing cremations. * Links & Resources Mentioned: * On Deathcare Subscription Page Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Stress, Standards, and Cultural Shifts
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About

Each week we deliver news and commentary for end-of-life professionals. ondeathcare.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Russo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tony Russo
  • Show Website
    On Deathcare

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