FD Talks
Funeral service is an industry on the brink of change and ripe for disruption. The good news? FD Talks hosted by Funeral Directors Life is a show where you can explore ideas, insights, and solutions for serving today's families in a rapidly changing marketplace. Join us for eye-opening interviews with industry experts and visionary leaders who will help you get control of your market, your business, and your future.
Episodes
40 episodes
FD Talks Episode 40: Connecting with Veterans: A Conversation with Miss Ohio 2023
Did you know that according to a survey by the Department of Veterans Affairs, only 29% of veterans understand the burial benefits available to them?Your funeral home can play a key role in educating and building relationships with local...
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22:12
FD Talks Episode 39: Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Managing Stress and Burnout
Funeral directors do a lot for their businesses and families. But sometimes, all their responsibilities pile up and lead to workplace stress, which can cause lasting burnout. Fortunately, emotional intelligence can help you lower wo...
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26:03
FD Talks Episode 38: How to Be a Leader Worth Following
As a funeral professional, you are responsible for leading families during their greatest times of need. That’s why you must be a leader worth following. Host Rob Davidson welcomes Kris Seale, President and Chief Executive Officer o...
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20:26
FD Talks 37: Embracing Rest in Your Funeral Home with Sabbaticals
What would happen if you gave your funeral home’s staff a 30-day sabbatical?Your staff needs to be rested and focused to best serve families, which can be challenging after long seasons of stress and burnout. But if your funeral home ope...
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20:09
FD Talks Episode 36: What You Need to Know about Funeral Home Websites | Part 2
Can a custom website help you increase your preneed leads? Will it rank you higher on Google and improve your ability to reach new families? What’s at risk if you don’t prioritize your website?The latest FD Talks podcast covers all this ...
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25:25
FD Talks 35: What You Need to Know about Funeral Home Websites | Part 1
As more consumers turn to the internet with questions about funerals, your website should easily offer answers.But it's not enough for your website to educate and connect with families – it should turn curious visitors into consistent le...
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23:40
FD Talks Episode 34: 2023 Recap: 7 Key Funeral Home Lessons to Remember
There were so many great guests featured on FD Talks this year, and each one had helpful tips on how to best serve families and manage your funeral home.In the final episode of 2023, we recap the seven most important lessons we learned o...
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14:49
FD Talks Episode 33: The Biggest Disconnects Between Funeral Homes and Families | Part 2
Do you know how quickly most families think a funeral should occur after the death? What about if most families think a funeral is necessary with cremation?The answers may surprise you.The latest FD Talks podcast continues the c...
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17:45
FD Talks Episode 32: The Biggest Disconnects Between Funeral Homes and Families | Part 1
“If you want to sell Mrs. Jones what Mrs. Jones buys, you need to see Mrs. Jones through Mrs. Jones' eyes.”When it comes to funerals, families' knowledge and preferences have changed. And in order to best serve your community, you need t...
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22:15
FD Talks Episode 31: Revealing the Secret Benefits of Google for Funeral Homes
When a family searches “funeral home near me,” they likely use Google and follow Google’s suggestions. That means if your business isn’t one of Google’s first results, you may miss out on serving them. Host Rob Davidson welcomes Hal...
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21:57
FD Talks Episode 30: Grow Your Preneed Program with These Marketing Strategies
More and more families today are interested in starting the preplanning search online. Do you have a plan to reach them there? This FD Talks episode features Rob Davidson’s discussion with John Davenport, Vice President of Sales for...
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27:35
FD Talks Episode 29: How to Get Real Results with Digital Marketing
According to the World Bank, 92% of Americans use the internet. That means reaching consumers online is the best way to spread awareness about your funeral home’s services.
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13:41
FD Talks Episode 28: The 7 Types of Funeral Consumers and How to Serve Them
The average funeral consumer falls into 1 of 7 categories. And each group has different expectations of how funerals should be…and how they expect you to interact with them. Josh McQueen, Vice President of Marketing & Pro...
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25:01
FD Talks Episode 27: How to Grow as a Funeral Professional with ICCFA
One of the biggest problems funeral directors face today is the evolving needs of families. In order to adapt to them, you need to grow in your craft.In this FD Talks episode, Rob Davidson sits down with Gary Freytag, President and CEO o...
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26:31
FD Talks Episode 26: Breaking Down 5 Key Findings from a Recent Consumer Study
You’ve likely heard that cremation rates are at an all-time high. But did you know that in the last decade, family preference for cremation has only risen 2.3%? Host Rob Davidson sits down with Josh McQueen, Vice President of Market...
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26:58
FD Talks Episode 25: Why Your Funeral Home Needs to Offer Livestreaming Now - 10 Dos and Don'ts
Funeral livestreaming isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, 42% of people feel comfortable attending a funeral online. That’s why you need to offer a livestreaming option now.Host Rob Davidson sits down with Tyler Ward, D...
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19:53
FD Talks Episode 24: Prices Are Up…So, What About Growth Rates?
The interest rate environment is on the rise (along with prices and inflation), but what does that mean for your funeral home? And what can you do about it? Host Rob Davidson invited Todd Carlson, Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sal...
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15:28
FD Talks Episode 23: The Acquisition of American Life & Annuity
Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) recently finalized the acquisition of American Life & Annuity Company (ALAC) in Hot Springs, Arkansas. President and CEO of FDLIC Kris Seale and ALAC President Claude Holloway joi...
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Episode 23
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10:15
FD Talks Episode 22: Learning More About "Journey to Serve"
According to a report by the National Funeral Directors Association, one of the most common funeral home needs is an increase in staff. Many funeral directors believe that finding the right people will be their greatest challenge over the next ...
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Episode 22
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19:13
FD Talks Episode 21 | Livestreaming Funerals: Easier and Better Than Ever
Livestreaming has been available to funeral homes for years, but few funeral professionals understood its importance. It wasn’t until the pandemic that many funeral homes saw the need to livestream funerals so that all families could virtually ...
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Episode 21
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17:55
FD Talks: Episode 20 – The Community Outreach Perspective | Hospice Care and Funeral Service Series | Part 2
Though most people may be unfamiliar with their local hospice organizations, these caregivers provide meaningful end-of-life-care for families and their loved ones. Families also benefit from a strong relationship between funeral homes and hosp...
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Episode 20
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18:03
FD Talks Episode 19 | Funeral Service Technology and the Innovative Funeral Home
Funeral home owners want to improve efficiency, funeral professionals want reliable technology, and families want to collaborate online. This change has led many funeral homes to adapt, stay the same, or reject the movement altogether.T...
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Episode 19
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18:18
Reignite Your Passion - Funeral Service Leadership Summit Recap
Creating a positive workplace culture and being a heart-led leader are two important assets to any business, even your funeral home! This year, our REIGNITE Summit discussed both aspects, but if you didn't attend, you may be wondering what you ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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15:15
A Social Worker’s Perspective | Hospice Care and Funeral Service Series | Part 1
While funeral homes and hospice facilities each play a key — but very separate — role in a loved one’s end-of-life journey, the two value serving families at the highest level. One important factor in achieving that goal is the relationship bet...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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22:49
REIGNITE Your Passion | Funeral Service Leadership Summit
As a funeral professional, do you find yourself spending more time on getting through each day’s to-do list rather than focusing on your leadership, passion, and workplace culture? Whether you’re experienced or new to the industry, your leaders...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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17:09