.png?width=2000&height=274&name=Passare-Color%20(1).png)
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...
All Episodes
Shift #37: Real leadership, raw advice, and Robbie Pape
Ever wonder why some leaders command a room and others just…don't? Robbie Pape joins the guys to talk about the power of choice, showing up with confidence, and why the best leaders own their mistakes. Robbie also shares lessons from her colonel and fighter-pilot dad, and the crew digs into what the funeral profession needs more of from its leaders right now. Tune in for honest conversations, a few emotional moments, and maybe a reason to start making your bed every morning. About Robbie Pape: Robbie Pape serves as Vice President of Operations at Carriage Services. With 30 years of experience spanning funeral and cemetery operations, finance, sales, systems, process improvement, and audit, Robbie brings a rare full-picture perspective to help Carriage continue to grow and succeed. She's a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a past ICCFA President, current treasurer on the CANA Board of Directors, and holds a degree in Marketing and Information Systems from Baylor 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.
Shift #36: Disconnects, data, and discoveries
Time to get a little nerdy. Todd pulls up some eye-opening stats from our New Funeral Consumer study, and the guys don’t hold back their opinions. This episode breaks down the 5 biggest disconnects between funeral homes and the families they serve. Fair warning: A few of these might hit close to home. 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 #35: Flat squirrels, preneed, and Bill McReavy, Jr.
Bill McReavy, Jr. joins the podcast to talk about going from zero preneed sales to a program that’s thriving. Spoiler: marketing had a lot to do with it. In this episode, the guys dive into how preneed serves families when they need it most and tackle the big question: Is the ROI really worth it? Tune in for insights and a few ideas you might want to steal for your own preneed program. About Bill McReavy, Jr.: Bill McReavy, Jr., CEO of Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries, and Cremation Services, is part of the fourth generation of his family to join the business. Bill has helped guide Washburn-McReavy as it has grown and modernized, expanding to more locations across the Twin Cities while staying focused on caring for families in a personal, compassionate way. 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 #34: Moms, money, and Minnesota
The Graveyard Shift goes live in Minnesota! And yes, there's an audience. 😆 The guys dig into the kind of funeral home scenarios you can’t exactly Google your way out of. Expect hard-earned lessons, unforgettable stories, and a look at what keeps them going in a profession that’s challenging but rewarding. Plus, a brand new segment called “Are you smarter than Jimmy?” is reason enough to tune in. 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.