
The Graveyard Shift
BusinessEntrepreneurship26 episodes
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...Show more
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Shift #26: Burning questions and heavy machinery
1 hr 3 min
“This may be the best episode we’ve ever done.”
The tables turn in this anything-goes episode. All 4 hosts fire off their most burning, bizarre, and unexpectedly heartfelt questions at each other.
From laugh-out-loud moments to emotional curveballs, this one has range. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it’s deeper than anyone expected.
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.Play episode
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Shift #25: Cremation, celebrants, and Glenda Stansbury
41 min 2 sec
The guys are back discussing celebrants and cremation arrangements, but this time, with Glenda Stansbury’s perspective.
As Co-Founder and Dean of the InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Program, Glenda has heard every “we’ve always done it this way” argument. And she’s not buying it.
In this episode, Glenda joins the guys and shares how a celebrant, or even a cremation arranger, can elevate service to families. Tune in for insights and takeaways that might just make you rethink the word “tradition.”
About Glenda Stansbury:
Glenda serves as Marketing & Development Director at InSight Books and is the Co-Founder and Dean of the InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Program. Her career spans roles as an educator, teacher trainer, and seminar creator. Glenda teaches in the Funeral Service Department at the University of Central Oklahoma and is an Instructor at Worsham Mortuary College. She also holds licenses as both a funeral director and embalmer.
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.Play episode
View details
Shift #24: Celebrants, microbiology, and Matt Bailey
41 min 42 sec
So, what’s the big deal about being a Certified Celebrant?
The crew breaks down what makes a celebrant-led service stand out and why it might just be the antidote to the rise of direct disposition.
Hear from our very own Certified Celebrant, Matt Bailey, as he shares the ins and outs of celebrant training, personalized services, and where celebrant training is headed next (hint: no science lessons involved).
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.Play episode
View details
Shift #23: Pews, tradition, and the “un-funeral” crowd
34 min 30 sec
Families today want options. And funeral homes feel the pressure to deliver.
So, how do you make sure your funeral home can help families who are “team traditional” and others who are “team un-funeral”? Are pews in or out? What about mariachi bands?
The crew tackles these questions and offers advice on how to meet families where they are and prepare your staff for anything.
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.Play episode
View details
Shift #22: Lawyers, liability, and Wendy Wiener
47 min 25 sec
No one likes to think about their funeral home facing a legal nightmare, but avoiding a huge fallout might be easier than you think.
Tune in as Wendy Wiener, Founder and Managing Attorney of WRW Legal, joins the group to give some sound and practical advice specifically for funeral professionals.
From what to do if you’ve made a mistake to best practices for staying out of legal trouble, Wendy shares tips that every funeral professional should know!
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.Play episode
View details
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