In this episode, Gabe talks to funeral director, author, and speaker, Todd Van Beck about presidential funerals.  They discuss how presidential funerals have evolved throughout history, how they have influenced how families care for their deceased, and what we can learn from our past as funeral professionals.

In this episode, Gabe talks to funeral director, author, and speaker, Todd Van Beck about presidential funerals.  They discuss how presidential funerals have evolved throughout history, how they have influenced how families care for their deceased, and what we can learn from our past as funeral professionals.

Episode #40: A Funeral Fit for a President

Host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by members of the inaugural class of the National Emerging Leaders Program (NELP) to share their experiences.  They discuss NELP, how the courses have helped them grow as funeral professionals, and what they feel funeral homes can do to better serve families.

Host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by members of the inaugural class of the National Emerging Leaders Program (NELP) to share their experiences.  They discuss NELP, how the courses have helped them grow as funeral professionals, and what they feel funeral homes can do to better serve families.

Episode #39: Calling All Leaders

This timely episode focuses on the new resource for funeral homes and families entitled, When a Child Dies: Planning Acts of Love and Legacy. This is a collaborative effort of the Funeral Service Foundation and the National Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition. 

This timely episode focuses on the new resource for funeral homes and families entitled, When a Child Dies: Planning Acts of Love and Legacy. This is a collaborative effort of the Funeral Service Foundation and the National Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition.

Episode #38: The Loss of a Child

This month Gabe speaks with four promising new graduates from across the country to shed some light on the life of a mortuary school student. The students discuss National Board preparation, final exams, assignments, and venturing out into the funeral profession.

This month Gabe speaks with four promising new graduates from across the country to shed some light on the life of a mortuary school student. The students discuss National Board preparation, final exams, assignments, and venturing out into the funeral profession.

Episode #37: Meet the Graduates

In this special Earth Day episode, Gabe and his guest, Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, are talking about a very interesting and new form of disposition known formally as “Natural Organic Reduction”.

Episode #36: Man... Made Mulch

Take a deep dive into the World Wide Web with Gabe Schauf and his guests Ryan Ballard and Brian Waters, hosts of Undertaking the Podcast. These three podcasters talk about how funeral directors are utilizing the exchange of information on the internet.

Take a deep dive into the World Wide Web with Gabe Schauf and his guests Ryan Ballard and Brian Waters, hosts of Undertaking the Podcast. These three podcasters talk about how funeral directors are utilizing the exchange of information on the internet.

Episode #35: What I Learned on the Internet

Some future medical and scientific advancements sound like something out of a science fiction story, but we never know what role technology might play in the deathcare profession. Alexandra Jo, Culture and Content Manager at Parting Stone, discusses this fascinating topic.

Some future medical and scientific advancements sound like something out of a science fiction story, but we never know what role technology might play in the deathcare profession. Alexandra Jo, Culture and Content Manager at Parting Stone, discusses this fascinating topic.

Episode #34: Funeral Service Meets Science Fiction

In the new year, resolve to enhance your customers’ experience. Join host Gabe Schauf with his guest Mark Busch – a former funeral home owner and licensed CX coach.  Mark and Gabe will discuss the basics of improving how your customers view your business and how to make them part of your “marketing team”.

In the new year, resolve to enhance your customers’ experience. Join host Gabe Schauf with his guest Mark Busch – a former funeral home owner and licensed CX coach.  Mark and Gabe will discuss the basics of improving how your customers view your business and how to make them part of your “marketing team”.

Episode #33: How is Your Customer Experience … Really?

This month host Gabe Schauf takes on a timely (and potentially costly) topic: OSHA compliance. Join Gabe as he speaks with Mark Harrison from CST (Certified Safety Training) about the importance of safety compliance in the funeral home.

This month host Gabe Schauf takes on a timely (and potentially costly) topic: OSHA compliance. Join Gabe as he speaks with Mark Harrison from CST (Certified Safety Training) about the importance of safety compliance in the funeral home.

Episode #32: OSHA - It's Not the Name of a City in Northwest Wisconsin!

Join our tribute to Veterans Day with host Gabe Schauf as he has a conversation with Douglas “Dutch” Nie: funeral director and business owner, treasurer to the NFDA Board of Directors and proud Air Force veteran.

Join our tribute to Veterans Day with host Gabe Schauf as he has a conversation with Douglas “Dutch” Nie: funeral director and business owner, treasurer to the NFDA Board of Directors and proud Air Force veteran.

Episode #31: Military Veterans in Funeral Service

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has launched A Brush With Death, a podcast to help funeral professionals be more responsive to the evolving needs of families and better respond to the issues shaping their businesses.

Gabe interviews convention keynote speakers Duncan Wardle and Ben Nemtin. These two dynamic individuals will address the power of “thinking different” and resilience in the face of uncertainty. There’s so much to learn and be inspired by!

Gabe interviews convention keynote speakers Duncan Wardle and Ben Nemtin. These two dynamic individuals will address the power of “thinking different” and resilience in the face of uncertainty. There’s so much to learn and be inspired by!

Episode #30: Convention Preview Series Part 2

The NFDA Convention is only a few weeks away!  Let’s get a glimpse into some of the amazing workshop sessions at this event. Gabe interviews three of our presenters who each bring something valuable to the convention. You’ll meet Bill Johnston, David Hernandez, and Henry Johnson. Topics range from using technology, personal experiences and tips for success.

The NFDA Convention is only a few weeks away!  Let’s get a glimpse into some of the amazing workshop sessions at this event. Gabe interviews three of our presenters who each bring something valuable to the convention. You’ll meet Bill Johnston, David Hernandez, and Henry Johnson. Topics range from using technology, personal experiences and tips for success.

Episode #29: Convention Preview Series Part 1

NFDA is commemorating the tragic 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a special episode of A Brush with Death. Host, Gabe Schauf, speaks with Funeral Director Chuck Bowman who served as deputy commander of Region VIII Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT).  Chuck supported the recovery efforts following the attacks, and he joins Gabe on this episode to share his experience. This episode will inspire you and touch your heart.

NFDA is commemorating the tragic 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a special episode of A Brush with Death. Host, Gabe Schauf, speaks with Funeral Director Chuck Bowman who served as deputy commander of Region VIII Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT).  Chuck supported the recovery efforts following the attacks, and he joins Gabe on this episode to share his experience. This episode will inspire you and touch your heart.

Episode #28 - 9/11 Twenty Years Later

The Funeral Service Foundation is the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association. In this episode, host Gabe Schauf speaks with Kelly Manion, the Director of Community Engagement for the Funeral Service Foundation, and two scholarship recipients. The discussion focuses on how the Foundation invests in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Find out how the Funeral Service Foundation helps the helpers!

The Funeral Service Foundation is the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association. In this episode, host Gabe Schauf speaks with Kelly Manion, the Director of Community Engagement for the Funeral Service Foundation, and two scholarship recipients. The discussion focuses on how the Foundation invests in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Find out how the Funeral Service Foundation helps the helpers!

Episode #27 - Getting to Know the Funeral Service Foundation

When a family chooses to donate a loved one’s body for education or research, they do so with the hope that they will help others. Regrettably, many are unknowingly contributing to a for-profit industry in which the body of their loved one could be traded as raw material in a largely unregulated national market. Congress is taking a significant step toward protecting the dignity of donors and offering peace of mind to families with the introduction of the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2021. Host, Gabe Schauf, discusses this very important bill with Hillary Adair (an Arizona-based funeral director) and Lesley Witter, NFDA’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy.

When a family chooses to donate a loved one’s body for education or research, they do so with the hope that they will help others. Regrettably, many are unknowingly contributing to a for-profit industry in which the body of their loved one could be traded as raw material in a largely unregulated national market. Congress is taking a significant step toward protecting the dignity of donors and offering peace of mind to families with the introduction of the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2021. Host, Gabe Schauf, discusses this very important bill with Hillary Adair (an Arizona-based funeral director) and Lesley Witter, NFDA’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy.

Episode #26: Together, We Can Stop Body Brokers

It’s the month of June, and host Gabe Schauf speaks with four Mortuary Science School graduates from across the country to discuss why they entered funeral service and what they anticipate going into the future. Meet Nicole Judge (FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, Massachusetts), Luke Martinez (Worsham College of Funeral Science in Wheeling, Illinois), Venice Harris (Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, Washington), and Cristina Cherubini (University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota).

It’s the month of June, and host Gabe Schauf speaks with four Mortuary Science School graduates from across the country to discuss why they entered funeral service and what they anticipate going into the future. Meet Nicole Judge (FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, Massachusetts), Luke Martinez (Worsham College of Funeral Science in Wheeling, Illinois), Venice Harris (Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, Washington), and Cristina Cherubini (University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Episode #25 - The Class of 2021

The month of May brings Memorial Day – a time to honor the millions of people in uniform who gave their lives for this country. Journey to Serve is a unique campaign launched in 2021 by the Funeral Service Foundation and the ICCFA Educational Foundation. This collaborative effort between organizations aims to engage, recruit and hire more military veterans to careers in the funeral service profession – including meaningful work in funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, funeral vendors, and all levels of support roles. Join Gabe Schauf as he explores this amazing project with Bob Arrington, founder of Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematorium, and Navy Petty Officer and funeral honor coordinator, Jennifer Jones.

The month of May brings Memorial Day – a time to honor the millions of people in uniform who gave their lives for this country. Journey to Serve is a unique campaign launched in 2021 by the Funeral Service Foundation and the ICCFA Educational Foundation. This collaborative effort between organizations aims to engage, recruit and hire more military veterans to careers in the funeral service profession – including meaningful work in funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, funeral vendors, and all levels of support roles. Join Gabe Schauf as he explores this amazing project with Bob Arrington, founder of Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematorium, and Navy Petty Officer and funeral honor coordinator, Jennifer Jones.

Episode #24 - Journey to Serve

Earth Day is April 22, and host Gabe Schauf’s interview with Amy Cunningham touches on a timely topic. Amy is a licensed funeral director and celebrant in Brooklyn, New York who specializes in green burials. In this episode, she discusses earth-friendly options chosen by many families to say farewell to a loved one.

Earth Day is April 22, and host Gabe Schauf’s interview with Amy Cunningham touches on a timely topic. Amy is a licensed funeral director and celebrant in Brooklyn, New York who specializes in green burials. In this episode, she discusses earth-friendly options chosen by many families to say farewell to a loved one.

Episode #23 - Going Green: Another Funeral Option

Host Gabe Schauf speaks with NFDA Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Lesley Witter. Lesley is based in Washington D.C. working for the funeral profession within the halls of the federal government. She provides insight into her role as an advocate, and how legislation that is advantageous to funeral service professionals is advanced. Lesley has been with the NFDA for 14 years and is responsible for the association’s legislative, regulatory, and political activity. She is tasked with increasing NFDA’s visibility on Capitol Hill and with various federal agencies.

Host Gabe Schauf speaks with NFDA Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Lesley Witter. Lesley is based in Washington D.C. working for the funeral profession within the halls of the federal government. She provides insight into her role as an advocate, and how legislation that is advantageous to funeral service professionals is advanced. Lesley has been with the NFDA for 14 years and is responsible for the association’s legislative, regulatory, and political activity. She is tasked with increasing NFDA’s visibility on Capitol Hill and with various federal agencies.

Episode #22 - Funeral Advocacy

NFDA CEO Christine Pepper and NFDA Board President Bryant Hightower discuss what’s ahead in 2021 with our host, Gabe Schauf.  Christine and Bryant share their thoughts on topics ranging from technology to advocacy to education in this episode of A Brush with Death. Tune in to hear their thoughts about what’s in store for funeral service professionals – and for those who support them. Serving our families and communities will remain the focus of the profession, but the methods and processes are forever changing.

NFDA CEO Christine Pepper and NFDA Board President Bryant Hightower discuss what’s ahead in 2021 with our host, Gabe Schauf.  Christine and Bryant share their thoughts on topics ranging from technology to advocacy to education in this episode of A Brush with Death. Tune in to hear their thoughts about what’s in store for funeral service professionals – and for those who support them. Serving our families and communities will remain the focus of the profession, but the methods and processes are forever changing.

Episode #21 - On the Horizon: NFDA Leadership Discusses the Future

A Brush with Death

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