On Deathcare

Tony Russo
  • 0.0 (0)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 7h ago

    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

  2. 1d ago

    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

  3. 3d ago

    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

  4. 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

  5. Sep 25 ·  Bonus

    Strategy, Secrets, and Survival: The Joe Vanella Report Episode 2

    In this edition of The Joe Vanella Report, host Tony Russo and co-host Spencer Haik recap the latest episodes of The Traitors, tracking fan-favorite contestant Joe Giovanella. The conversation dives into the selection of the third Traitor, strategic backstabbing among apprentices, and how Joe’s background as a funeral director influences his emotional and strategic gameplay. Key Highlights & Discussion Points The Third Traitor Decision * Choosing Katie over Xavier: Traitors Joe and Tomica had to choose between two apprentices, Xavier and Katie, for the final Traitor spot and “kill” the other. * Gameplay & Betrayal: Prior to the decision, Xavier attempted to throw Katie under the bus by telling other players she might be a Traitor. Katie focused on proving her loyalty. * The Strategy: Joe and Tomica chose Katie due to her loyalty, despite the added risk. However, Xavier’s pre-departure comments leave suspicion surrounding Katie among the remaining faithful. Joe’s Gameplay & Strategic Style * The Funeral Director Advantage: Joe’s funeral director came out as he comforted a comrade, aggressively defending an ally at the round table. * Emotional Toll: Balancing genuine empathy with the deception required of a Traitor is beginning to weigh on Joe. * Under the Radar: Joe continues to play a clean, balanced game, knowing “when to press the gas and when to feather off” keeping his name out of suspicion while maintaining strong social ties. What to Watch For Next Week * Katie in the Crosshairs: With suspicion mounting on Katie, Joe and Tamika must decide whether to support their fellow Traitor or distance themselves to avoid collateral damage. * A Dramatic Opening: The next episode will reveal who was murdered, featuring a “buried alive” sequence. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Strategy, Secrets, and Survival: The Joe Vanella Report Episode 2

  6. Sep 24 ·  Bonus

    Keenan Knopke on Modern Day Old School Cemetery Management

    In this episode of On the Clock, host Tony Russo sits down with longtime funeral professional Keenan Knopke. Keenan shares his journey in the deathcare industry, from stomping down dead flowers in the back of a pickup truck at age five to managing major consolidation territories and leading Curlew Hills Memory Gardens. Knopke has old-school sensibilities without “being” old school. That is, he has an old school work ethic and still embraces change. He discusses how he eliminated high-pressure sales tactics in favor of a customer-centric model, modernized operations, and adapted to changing industry trends like cremation and natural burial options. Key Takeaways * Early Roots in Death Care: Keenan’s family started a cemetery in Tampa during the late 1930s. He began working at five years old, clearing old flowers and later learned the business from the ground up, including digging graves by hand and “chopping markers”. * Transition to Corporate Operations: After receiving his funeral director and embalmer licenses in 1972, Keenan spent 19 years working with Stewart Enterprises, overseeing major territories across Florida. * A Customer-First Sales Model: Upon joining Curlew, Keenan eliminated high-pressure quotas and restructured the sales team to just three salary-plus-commission counselors focused on educating families rather than forcing quick decisions. * Modernizing Operations: Keenan transitioned the business away from traditional displays toward digital arrangement screens and paperless record-keeping. * Adapting for the Future: To meet evolving community needs, Curlew has embraced cremation options, incorporated upright granite monuments for traditional communities, and remains open to emerging trends like human composting. * The Golden Rule of Funeral Care: Keenan emphasizes keeping an open mind, avoiding judging families based on appearance, and treating every client the way you would want to be treated. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Sep 22

    MD Composting Reversal, Delta Lawsuit, and the Selected/NFDA Vote

    📌 Episode Summary In this weekly rundown, Tony Russo covers Worcester County, Maryland’s political reversal on human composting, a lawsuit involving Delta Airlines and a un-embalmed body, a funeral home bankruptcy, the expansion of North Carolina’s Endswell, ongoing friction surrounding the potential NFDA/Selected Independent Funeral Homes merger, and a new TV recap show. 🎧 Key Topics & Segments 1. Worcester County Fights Human Composting Approval * The Backstory: Worcester County’s Zoning Board of Appeals initially approved Earth Funeral’s application for a human composting facility. * The Update: County commissioners, led by Commissioner Ted Elder, are seeking to overturn the zoning decision and block the application. * What’s Next: Tony has an interview scheduled with Earth Funeral later this week to report on their next steps. Read the full report at Yahoo News. 2. Delta Airlines Lawsuit Over Decomposition of Transported Remains * The Allegation: A Tennessee family claims Delta Airlines left the body of Marvin “Ed” Morgan unrefrigerated overnight after a missed flight connection in Atlanta. * The Impact: Because Mr. Morgan was not embalmed due to spiritual preferences, severe decomposition prevented the family from having a final viewing. Read the full report at View from the Wing 3. Buie Family Funeral Home Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy * The Details: Sheridan, Arkansas-based Buie Family Funeral Home files for bankruptcy protection. * The Causes: Co-owner Wesley Cole cites shifting consumer preferences toward cremation over traditional services, along with financial strain from a divorce with co-owner Donna Cole. * The Takeaway: With Arkansas’s cremation rate climbing from 45% in 2020 to 54% today (and trending higher), funeral homes in historically low-cremation states need a sustainable transition plan. Read the full report at Arkansas Business (Paywalled) 4. Endswell Expands Operations in North Carolina * Expansion Plans: Owners Hunter and Veronica Beattie purchased a 6,000 sq. ft. commercial space in Hillsborough, NC. * New Features: After Light accommodates services for up to 100 guests and features an art gallery focused on end-of-life themed artwork. Read the complete story at the News of Orange 5. NFDA & Selected Independent Funeral Homes Merger Friction * Member Backlash: Following a recent roundtable discussion, dissenting members express frustration over executive decision-making and a perceived lack of member input. * Upcoming Vote: Selected members are slated to vote on September 24th regarding whether to be acquired/merged into the NFDA. Read the full analysis at Connecting Directors. 6. New Side-Project: The Joe Vanella Report * The Recaps: Tony has partnered with Spencer Haake (founder of Vault) to host recaps of The Traitors. * Schedule: Episodes drop Friday evenings (contains spoilers!). 🔗 Links & Resources * Support the Podcast: Subscribe at ondeathcare.com * Full Coverage & Court Documents: Read the detailed write-ups on On Deathcare Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    MD Composting Reversal, Delta Lawsuit, and the Selected/NFDA Vote

  8. Sep 19 ·  Bonus

    Undertaker to Undercover: Joe Vanella’s Strategic Debut on The Traitors

    In this inaugural recap episode, host Tony Russo brings on guest Spencer Haik to break down the latest season of The Traitors: New Blood. Spencer gives an insider breakdown of the game’s mechanics, Joe’s gameplay strategy, and why his background as a funeral director makes him a formidably empathetic (and sneaky) player to watch. Key Takeaways & Highlights * The Premise: 22 everyday Americans gather in a Scottish castle, split into two groups: “Faithfuls” and secret “Traitors”. Traitors murder a Faithful each night, while the group votes off a suspected Traitor during the day. * Joe’s Big Reveal: Host Alan Cumming selected Joe Vanella as one of the original Traitors. * Strategic Gameplay: * Empathy as a Shield: Joe’s funeral director skills shine through as he comforts emotional players, masking his role as a secret assassin. * Low-Profile Moves: During the first challenge, Joe strategically avoided rushing for protective shields, diverting suspicion onto other players. * Current Status: Joe survived the first two episodes and remains in full control heading into next week. Episode Timeline * 00:00 – Introduction and why Spencer offered to recap reality TV * 00:46 – The Traitors format breakdown: Cast, castle, and core rules * 02:20 – Introducing funeral director Joe Vanella * 03:20 – The shoulder tap: How Joe became a Traitor * 04:15 – Why a funeral director’s skill set is perfect for high-stakes deception * 05:00 – Strategy spotlight: Passing on shields and steering clear of suspicion * 06:00 – Round table dynamics and Joe consoling a Faithful * 07:15 – How “murders” work: Turret meetings and black cloaks * 07:55 – Season twist: Apprentice trials for the third Traitor spot * 09:25 – What to watch for in upcoming episodes & wrap-up Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

    Undertaker to Undercover: Joe Vanella’s Strategic Debut on The Traitors
See All (58)

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Russo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tony Russo
  • Show Website
    On Deathcare

You Might Also Like