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The Graveyard Shift
Funeral professionals are constantly searching for two things – new ideas to better serve families and a good laugh. Join Todd Carlson, EVP of Sales and Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group, on a wild ride as he engages in genuine and off-the-cuff conversations with 3 accomplished funeral professionals – Matt Bailey, President and Funeral Director at Bailey Family Funeral Homes, Gary Freytag, President and CEO of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, and Jimmy Lucas, Owner and Funeral Director at Lucas Funeral Home. Together, they share their takes and valuable insights into the evolving profession with plenty of laughs...
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All Episodes
Shift #42: Carpet crumbs, regulations, and Caressa Hughes
When did serving food in a funeral home become an issue? And what do Taylor Swift concert tickets have to do with the FTC discussion around “junk fees”? In this episode, Caressa Hughes joins the guys to talk about the evolving regulatory landscape in deathcare. With decades of experience tracking legislation across 45 states, Caressa dives into the issues directly impacting funeral professionals, from dual licensing and staffing bottlenecks to food and beverage restrictions. Watch the full episode for an eye-opening breakdown of where the profession has been, what’s changing right now, and where things could be headed. About Caressa Hughes Caressa Hughes serves as Assistant Vice President for Government and Industry Relations for SCI, where she leads the company’s local, state, and federal government relations strategy and oversees industry relations through active engagement with professional trade associations. She is deeply involved in industry leadership and currently serves on the Board of Directors for ICCFA and CANA, where she was also a former President. Additionally, she contributes to the Government and Legal Affairs Committees for both ICCFA and CANA. Caressa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and resides in Houston, Texas. About the podcast: The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features: Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas Have feedback? Share it with us at TheGraveyardShift@passare.com.
Shift #41: Rituals, reclamation, and Dr. Alan Wolfelt
Families’ perceptions of funerals are changing, and not always in ways that make a funeral professional’s job easier. In this episode, Dr. Alan Wolfelt joins the guys to discuss how funerals are losing their meaning in today's culture and calls for funeral professionals to reclaim their role as educators, not order-takers. They explore why families might struggle to see the value of a ceremony and how funeral professionals can practice “supportive confrontation” by empathetically challenging assumptions while still honoring each family’s choices. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on helping today’s families navigate loss with knowledge, compassion, and confidence. About Dr. Alan Wolfelt Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., is recognized as one of North America’s leading death educators and grief counselors. His books on grief for both caregivers and grieving people, including Funeral Home Customer Service A-Z, have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide and been translated into many languages. He is the founder and director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, as well as a longtime funeral service consultant. Learn more at CenterForLoss.com. About the podcast: The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features: Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas Have feedback? Share it with us at TheGraveyardShift@passare.com.
Shift #40: Wine cellars, scuba tanks, and ideal funerals
Ever wonder what funeral professionals actually want for their own final send-off? In this episode, the guys break down their own final wishes. They go through everything from Winston Churchill-inspired songs and open wine cellars to motorcycle hearses and scuba tanks. Tune in for a hilariously candid and unexpectedly thoughtful conversation that will get you thinking about how your own funeral can truly reflect who you are. Side note: Gary’s epitaph alone is worth the listen. About the podcast: The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features: Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas Have feedback? Share it with us at TheGraveyardShift@passare.com.
Shift #39: Professionalism, personality, and public image
How much of yourself should you bring to the job? In this episode of The Graveyard Shift, the guys continue their conversation about authenticity, trust, and public image as a funeral professional. They explore how to navigate professional expectations, maintain healthy boundaries, and avoid burnout in a profession that’s “always on.” Tune in for top-tier advice and an honest conversation about showing up as your full self, quirks and all. See what the guys have been up to: Jimmy just released TeamTangoAI, a tool that answers calls, helps website visitors, and offers family support. See more about this feature here: https://teamtangoai.com/ Matt is planning for his next celebrant training in New Haven, Connecticut. Get more details here: https://bailey.courses/celebrant-training Gary recently finished teaching a few courses at ICCFA University. Learn more about this program here: https://iccfa.com/university/ About the podcast: The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features: Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas Have feedback? Share it with us at TheGraveyardShift@passare.com.