On Deathcare

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

  1. 3d ago

    Consolidator Updates, More on AI, and the End of 'Cemetery Mischief' in Indiana

    In this episode, we dive into a criminal charge in Indiana, check in on major consolidators like SCI and Carriage, look into shifting cremation rates in the Jewish community, and weigh the pros and cons of the NFDA’s new AI-powered social media hub. Links and summaries Indiana Man Charged Under Historic Cemetery Law * Franklin L. Haas was arrested on June 30, 2026, for several offenses, including “cemetery mischief” related to the desecration of a grave marker. This arrest occurred just hours before Indiana’s specific cemetery mischief statute was sunsetted and integrated into a broader criminal vandalism category. Because of the timing, Haas is expected to be among the last individuals prosecuted under this dedicated historical law. A judge set his bond at $1,000 following the investigation. Source: A Last-Minute Charge: Indiana Man Nabbed in Final Hours of Historic Cemetery Law Carriage Services Stock Analysis * A Seeking Alpha analyst recommends Carriage as a “Buy.” The analysis suggests Carriage’s defensive business model remains insulated from economic downturns and offers significant growth potential through its M&A-driven expansion strategy. Operational improvements are also expected from the rollout of the Trinity ERP system. Despite trading near a one-year low, the company’s resilient metrics and forward EV/EBITDA multiple present a favorable risk-reward profile. Carriage’s Stock Is Down but Unlikely To Stay That Way Conservation Cemeteries and Green Burials * Heartwood Preserve, a 41-acre conservation cemetery in Florida, is highlighted as an ideal way of protecting the land from development. Burial fees at the preserve directly support the protection of endangered local ecosystems like longleaf pine flatwoods. Also, Higher Ground Conservation Burial in Vermont recently celebrated its grand opening. These green burial options provide a way for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint and leave a living legacy that protects the planet for future generations. Green Burials and Save Wild Spaces, and Vice-Versa NFDA Launches Social Media Hub * The National Funeral Directors Association launched a subscription-based Social Media Hub to assist funeral homes in managing their digital presence. Powered by Cloud Campaign, the platform provides a library of pre-made posts covering topics such as grief support and advance planning. The service is available to NFDA members for $75 per month. NFDA Launches Social Media Hub Powered by Cloud Campaign St. Louis Jewish Burial Foundation * Rabbi Ze’ev Smason established the St. Louis Jewish Burial Foundation to address reports of rising cremation rates among American Jews. This volunteer nonprofit focuses on educating families about traditional Jewish burial practices and the importance of early end-of-life planning. The foundation emphasizes that traditional customs are naturally aligned with modern “green burial” preferences. St. Louis Rabbi Launches Foundation to Address Rising Cremation Rates AI Trends and SCI’s Index Removal * Service Corporation International was recently removed from the Russell 1000 Dynamic Index, a move attributed to technical, rules-based adjustments rather than financial trouble. The shift occurred because the baseline for the index was driven upward by high-growth AI and tech companies. This development raises concerns regarding the inflated valuations of AI companies compared to more stable, traditional sectors like deathcare. The AI Wave Pushes Deathcare Aside (For Now) Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Consolidator Updates, More on AI, and the End of 'Cemetery Mischief' in Indiana

  2. Jun 30

    Earned Media, Permit Pitfalls, Body Prep, and More

    Episode Overview In this week’s roundup, Tony Russo covers the practical power of earned media for local funeral homes, updates on an alarming financial scandal in Alabama, community pushback against green burials and pet water cremation, international insights into body preparation standards, and the growth of an independent buying group. Key Segments & Discussion Points * The Secret to Local Press * Tony shares an “earned media victory” from Joe Weigel of Weigel Strategic Marketing on behalf of his client, Oak Grove Funerals and Cremation. * Pro-Tip: Small, independent local newspapers are desperate for content and photos. Sending a non-salesy press release with a high-quality photo dramatically boosts your chances of front-page placement. * Financial Scandal at Pine Rest Funeral Home * Former manager Tim Street was arrested in Alabama and charged with first-degree financial exploitation of the elderly. * Street allegedly pocketed thousands of dollars from grieving families for headstones and markers that were never delivered, with some families waiting over two years. * The business is owned by Gamble Holding Company. Tony raises concerns about how lower-level corporate oversight allowed this to happen undetected for years. * NIMBYism in Napa Valley & Marion County * Green Burial Pushback: Neighbors of the proposed Howell Mountain Cemetery in Napa Valley are fighting the project over fears of traffic and groundwater contamination. * Pet Water Cremation Tabled: The Marion County Board of County Commissioners in Florida voted to table a permit for a pet aquamation facility for 60 days. The delay emphasizes the critical need for applicants to have precise, immediate data on water usage and equipment specs when facing nervous planning councils. * Body Preparation vs. Embalming Standards in Australia * Tony follows up on a botched restoration story involving a young woman named Jessica. * Adrian Barrett stepped in to successfully restore the body without embalming, underscoring the vital importance of true craftsmanship in the trade. * The Growth of the Independent Funeral Group * The group aims to help independent operators band together to negotiate better pricing and withstand the influx of private equity money. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Earned Media, Permit Pitfalls, Body Prep, and More

  3. Jun 23

    Operating in the Gray Area: Tanya Marsh on the Indiana Death Doula Case

    In this special “Death Doula” edition of The Rest, host Tony Russo sits down with law professor and funeral law expert Tanya Marsh to break down the recent legal battle involving Indiana death doula Lauren Richwine. They dive into the procedural history of the case, the overbroad state regulations that sparked the conflict, and the broader, shifting landscape of occupational licensing within the end-of-life care industry. Key Takeaways & Highlights * The Indiana Conflict: The state of Indiana historically maintained a broad definition of “the practice of funeral service,” prohibiting non-licensed individuals from counseling others on the methods and alternatives for the final disposition of human remains. * The Case Against Lauren Richwine: The Indiana Attorney General’s office issued a sweeping cease-and-desist order against Richwine, claiming her work required a funeral director license. * The “Atom Bomb” Ruling: Backed by the Institute for Justice, Richwine took the state to federal court. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately upheld a preliminary injunction against the state, famously noting that Indiana’s broad restriction on speech “furthers the state’s interests the way an atom bomb would further the eradication of a residential ant infestation.” * The Settlement Context: On June 9, the parties entered into a consent decree. While the permanent injunction successfully protects Richwine and her business, the underlying broad statute remains on the books for everyone else in Indiana. * The Future of Death Doulas: Tony and Tanya explore the ongoing tensions within the death doula community regarding whether to remain completely outside the traditional system or to pursue formalized state certification and licensing. About Our Guest: Tanya Marsh Tanya Marsh is a professor of law at Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and an Indiana-licensed attorney with over 26 years of experience. She is a leading expert in funeral and cemetery law and hosts the podcast Death et seq. She also serves on the board of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Carolina. Links & Resources Mentioned * Article: Tanya’s breakdown of the case on Talk Death * Book Mention: Jane Callahan’s A Death Doula’s Guide to a Meaningful End Here’s * Organization: Institute for Justice Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Operating in the Gray Area: Tanya Marsh on the Indiana Death Doula Case

  4. Jun 19

    Buried in the Past: Modernizing a Legacy Family Cemetery at Lincoln Memorial

    When a legacy family cemetery faces a sudden transition, the threat of receivership or a corporate fire sale looms large. In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with third-generation cemeterian Shayda Frost and her husband Timothy Amoui to discuss the reality of taking over six Atlanta cemeteries with no previous operational background. This discussion digs into the tactical headaches of modernizing historical properties, standardizing grounds maintenance, managing multi-decade staff through a digital transition, and generating new revenue lines from forgotten land. Key Operational Takeaways * The “Stabilization Mission” First: When taking over a challenged or neglected acreage, resist the urge to change everything at once to gain a sense of control. Prioritize immediate operational stability over rapid expansion or aggressive software overhauls. * Transitioning Legacy Crews Slower: Moving a multi-decade workforce away from paper memos, physical clipboards, and manual calculators requires one-on-one training and immense patience. Crew buy-in is earned by proving the digital tool makes their daily job easier, not just the administrative office’s tracking. * Grounds as Your Primary Brand Asset: In the cemetery business, public reputation is explicitly driven by curb appeal and turf management. Tim and Shayda discuss why upfront capital investments in machinery and grounds keeping staff are non-negotiable for long-term health. * Price vs. Value in Land Development: Opting for the lowest vendor bid on heavy earth-moving, landscaping, or infrastructure projects consistently backfires. Shoddy work requires secondary spending to fix, proving that long-term asset management requires paying for value upfront. * Funding Perpetual Care with Natural Burials: Non-perpetual care historic sections or defunct acreage can be re-monetized safely. By clearing out invasive species and introducing green burials, operators can open an adaptive reuse revenue stream that funnels directly back into a perpetual care trust. Resources & Links Mentioned * Lincoln Memorial Group (Atlanta, GA) * The Chattahoochee Riverkeepers (Environmental cleanup coordination) * Devine Georgia (Invasive flora and wisteria management) Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Buried in the Past: Modernizing a Legacy Family Cemetery at Lincoln Memorial

  5. Jun 16

    PE Money in Deathcare, Preneed Fraud Deals, and Cremation Missteps

    This week on The Rest, host Tony Russo covers shifts and critical developments across the deathcare industry. The episode breaks down the recent leadership changes at Foundation Partners Group, including the appointment of Jim Evanger, a professional interim CEO and PE turnaround expert to CEO and the broader implications of private equity money in funeral service. Tony also reviews a $7 million miscremation lawsuit against Tidd Funeral Home, the ongoing public negotiations over a massive pre-need fraud plea deal in Connecticut, and an Ohio zoning battle over a planned Islamic natural cemetery. Plus, a quick look at an Ohio mortuary student’s pageant platform and a preview of upcoming coverage on an Indiana death doula’s legal victory. Deepen your understanding of the deathcare industry. Subscribe today. In This Episode: * Foundation Partners Executive Change: A breakdown of the press release naming Jim Evanger, a short-term turnaround expert, CEO. We also look at what having a funeral professional in the top job might mean for corporate culture and consolidation. * Private Equity vs. Independence: Insights from a recent story about balancing corporate funding with traditional funeral directing values. * The $7 Million Cremation Error: A look at Tidd Funeral Home’s immediate acceptance of responsibility following a catastrophic miscremation, and the pitfalls of unmanaged pre-need sales promises. * Connecticut Pre-Need Fraud Case: Updates on the non-public plea offer for former funeral home owner Philip Pietris, who faces charges for allegedly defrauding over 100 families of $1 million. * Normalizing Grief on the Pageant Stage: Spotlighting Katie Harrigan, a Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science student and Miss North Central Ohio, who is using her platform, “The Silent Subject,” to support grief awareness. * Toledo Zoning Approval: The Toledo Plan Commission’s tentative green light for an Islamic natural cemetery, despite local NIMBY pushback regarding green burial practices. * First Amendment Victory for Death Doulas: A brief look at Lauren Rich Wine’s three-year legal battle with the state of Indiana over the right to assist families with final arrangements. Links & Resources Mentioned: * Foundation Partners Group Official Press Release * Industry Consolidation and Private Money Feature * Coverage of the Tidd Funeral Home Lawsuit * Connecticut Funeral Fraud * The Ashland Source Profile on Katie Harrigan * Texas Monthly Feature on Islamic Cemetery Controversies * Share your preneed sales experiences or news tips with Tony at bytonyrusso@gmail.com. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    PE Money in Deathcare, Preneed Fraud Deals, and Cremation Missteps

  6. Jun 9

    A Possible Shakeup, Mis-cremation Implications, and a Green Cemetery Coup

    This week on The Rest, we dive into the leadership shakeup at Foundation Partners Group. We also look closely at a recent civil lawsuit in Ohio that underscores the massive disconnect between quick crematory certification courses and hands-on operational experience. Plus, a Pennsylvania funeral home’s makeshift skylight plan, the defeat of human composting legislation in Illinois, a creative land-preservation cemetery strategy in Canada, and affordable new continuing education workshops from the ICCFA. Subscribe at ondeathcare.com to get independent, critical funeral industry news, and exclusive columns delivered straight to your inbox weekly. Key Takeaways * Foundation Partners Group Leadership Shakeup: Unconfirmed reports indicate CEO John Smith has parted ways with the private equity-backed firm after an 18-month tenure. This marks the second consecutive non-funeral professional to lead the company, raising questions about private equity’s patience and acquisitions-driven revenue. * The High Cost of Inexperience: A $25,000 civil lawsuit against Tidd Funeral Home in Franklin County, Ohio, reveals that an employee mistakenly cremated a woman against her deeply held religious beliefs and explicit prepaid burial contract. * No Permit? Make a Skylight: Frank Duca Funeral Home in Westmont Borough, Pennsylvania, had its storage facility construction halted after building inspectors discovered a hole cut in the roof intended for a future crematory flue. The funeral director’s backup plan if the permit fails? Just turn it into a skylight. * Illinois Human Composting Legislation Fails: Natural organic reduction efforts hit a wall in Illinois. * Cemetery as a Shield Against Developers: In British Columbia, 70-year-old Margaret Waterton is attempting to rezone her 2.5-acre property bordering a forest into a natural burial ground. Under local regulations, burying even a single person on the land legally protects it from high-density housing development. * Accessible Professional Development: The ICCFA is rolling out its new 240 Workshops program. These localized, short, and inexpensive sessions are specifically designed to provide continuing education opportunities to frontline staff who cannot afford to travel to national conventions. Links Mentioned in the Show * Tidd Funeral Home Lawsuit * The Death Boom Trailer * Link to ICCFA 240 Workshops Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    A Possible Shakeup, Mis-cremation Implications, and a Green Cemetery Coup

  7. Jun 4

    Standards v. Trends: Faith Haug on the Future of Mortuary Education

    In this episode, host Tony Russo sits down with Faith Haug, mortuary science program director for Arapahoe Community College and newly elected Secretary-Treasurer of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Faith opens up about her unexpected floor nomination, what it actually means to govern the board, and breaks the news of an upcoming leadership transition within the organization. The conversation dives deep into the tension between academic standards and industry expectations, the unique challenges of regulating distance education, and the shifting landscape of state licensure requirements. Faith also addresses the ongoing industry “culture war,” challenging funeral service professionals to stop complaining from the sidelines and instead actively engage with and support local mortuary programs. Enjoying these insights into the deathcare industry? Subscribe to our newsletter and podcast to never miss an episode. Key Takeaways * An Unexpected Election: Faith discusses her recent election as ABFSE Secretary-Treasurer and why a “rogue nomination” from the floor shouldn’t necessarily be misconstrued as a mandate for dramatic upheaval. * Upcoming ABFSE Changes: Big shifts are on the horizon for the organization, including the rollout of a new strategic plan and the upcoming retirement of longtime Executive Director Robert Smith III. * The Licensure Dilemma: While the ABFSE maintains high voluntary accreditation standards, individual states are increasingly reducing education and examination requirements due to workforce concerns. * Education vs. Job Training: Faith addresses the unrealistic expectations practitioners often have for recent graduates, explaining the crucial difference between a college degree and practical on-the-job training. * A Call to Action for Practitioners: A challenge to the industry at large to move past negative narratives, bridge the gap between education and practice, and get involved with local advisory committees or mentorship. Related: Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Jun 2

    NFDA Election Silence, ASD Viral Videos, a Tornado Survival, and More

    In this episode of The Rest, Tony Russo rounds up the latest major headlines shaking up and shaping the deathcare industry, from viral social media shifts to controversial leadership battles. Support independent deathcare journalism. Get industry news, deep-dive columns, and exclusive weekly updates directly by subscribing today at ondeathcare.com. Authentic Connection Over SEO Hacks Tony breaks down a recent blog post from ASD (Answering Service for Funeral Directors), highlighting a viral video by funeral director Katharine Wagner-Elfner. Her “day in the life” vertical videos demonstrate how genuine, human-centric storytelling can outperform SEO tactics. * Related Link: Check out the ASD Blog Post Drama in the NFDA Secretary Race The upcoming election for the National Funeral Directors Association board secretary has taken an unusually turbulent turn. Tony discusses the silence from leadership candidates, allegations moving behind the scenes, and what this tactical lack of transparency may say about the future face of deathcare leadership. Continuing Education for Everyone The ICCFA is launching its new 240 Workshops, 240 minutes of targeted, accessible continuing education all around the country. * Related Link: Read the ICCFA Press Release Honor in the Face of Disaster A powerful profile out of Nebraska highlights funeral director Tracy Dietz of Jacobson Greenway Dietz Funeral Home. After surviving a destructive May 17th tornado with her family, her immediate instinct wasn’t just survival—it was the profound, industry-specific realization that she had to be ready to step out of her basement and immediately serve her neighbors through potential loss. * Related Link: Read the Full St. Paul, NE Article Legislation Watch: Rhode Island Expands Deathcare Options The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed legislation to simultaneously legalize natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation). Sponsored by Representative Michelle McCaw, this marks the third consecutive year of pushing for these eco-friendly dispositions. Tony tracks the bill’s prospects in the Senate and underscores the hope that it moves forward on its merits rather than political noise. * Have a news tip or a story from your neck of the woods? Drop Tony a line directly at bytonyrusso@gmail.com. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

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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
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tony Russo
  • Show Website
    On Deathcare

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