The Director's Playbook

The Director's Playbook

It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as host Paul Lovelace welcomes knowledgeable guests and shares insights and solutions from his 30+ years in sales, finance, and the funeral profession. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help your funeral home thrive.

Episodes

The Expert Families Need: Dr. Alan Wolfelt on Funeral Education | Part 2

September 2, 2025 • 20 mins
You believe in the value of funerals. Now, it’s time to learn how to share that value with families. In part two of their conversation, host Paul Lovelace and renowned grief counselor, author, and speaker Dr. Alan Wolfelt move beyond the “why” of funeral education and dive into the “how.” This episode challenges you to rethink old habits, embrace your role as a teacher, and confidently lead families in a changing world. Discove...
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The Expert Families Need: Dr. Alan Wolfelt on Funeral Education | Part 1

August 19, 2025 • 28 mins
Are you giving families what they want or what they need? Many families don't know how to create a healing and meaningful funeral. You can change that - if you're willing to educate families. Host Paul Lovelace welcomes renowned grief counselor, author, and speaker Dr. Alan Wolfelt to the podcast to discuss why funeral professionals need to be teachers and experts for families. The two explore why most families are unfamiliar wit...
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Education to engagement: Advance planning seminars

August 5, 2025 • 28 mins
Advance planning seminars have long been a great way to grow a funeral home’s preneed program. But the value of these seminars goes beyond securing appointments. They also build trust with your families. In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, host Paul Lovelace and Patrick Zalusky, Owner of Laker Planning Service, discuss how these events can generate leads and be the first step in building relationships with families. From p...
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Funeral home surveys: How feedback fuels your growth

July 22, 2025 • 22 mins
What if the key to growing your funeral home was the voices of the families you serve? To protect your level of care today and increase your market share and profitability tomorrow, you need an honest picture of how families view your funeral home. Surveys can provide that invaluable insight. Episode 4 welcomes George Owens, President and Founder of Fortitude Research & Marketing. Along with host Paul Lovelace, the two break dow...
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The unexpected value of therapy dogs in funeral service

July 14, 2025 • 22 mins
In this episode of The Director's Playbook, I explore the unexpected role of therapy dogs in funeral services with Brian Hicks, the general manager at Elmwood Funeral Home. We delve into the journey of introducing Holly, a Goldendoodle, as a comforting presence in a traditionally somber setting. Brian shares his experiences and insights on the benefits therapy dogs bring to grieving families, highlighting Holly's unique ability to ...
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The future of preneed

June 24, 2025 • 29 mins
Consumer preferences are shifting. Operational costs are rising. And funeral professionals face a dual challenge: increasing call volume while growing the average funeral value. One of the most effective solutions is a proactive preneed program. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace is joined by Tyler Anderson, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Precoa. They explore how the focus of preneed has evolved from gaining mar...
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Succession planning and what to know before you sell

June 9, 2025 • 34 mins
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, more than 4,000 funeral home owners are expected to sell their businesses by 2026. This trend is partly why succession planning has become a popular topic among funeral professionals, with many funeral home owners wondering how to get started and what their first step should be. Join us as host Paul Lovelace discusses the importance of succession planning with Jason Gazaill...
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Introduction to FD Talks

January 31, 2025 • 1 min
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FD Talks 40: The Indirect Impact - 4 Questions Funeral Professionals Need to Find Balance

December 4, 2024 • 26 mins
When was the last time you put yourself first? It might sound strange to put yourself first, especially when there are so many people who need you. However, in order to best care for grieving families, your staff, and your business, you have to first care for yourself. Host Rob Davidson welcomes back Madison Miller, former Miss Ohio winner and daughter of a funeral home owner. Madison shares takeaways from her thought-provoking pre...
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FD Talks 39: Connecting with Veterans: A Conversation with Miss Ohio 2023

October 18, 2024 • 22 mins
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 veterans. In this episode, host Rob Davidson and Madison Miller, former Miss Ohio winner and daughter of a funeral home owner, discuss how funeral homes can connect with veterans. Madison share...
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FD Talks 38: Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Managing Stress and Burnout

June 19, 2024 • 26 mins
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 workplace stress and improve your service to families. Host Rob Davidson sits down with Dr. Melanie Carr, author of Emotional Intelligence for Funeral Directors: The Secret to Less Stress and Burnout at Wo...

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FD Talks 37: How to Be a Leader Worth Following

May 1, 2024 • 20 mins
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 of Funeral Directors Life, back to FD Talks. Kris shares advice he's learned after nearly 40 years of leading people and what helped him grow his leadership skills.
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FD Talks 36: Embracing Rest in Your Funeral Home with Sabbaticals

April 4, 2024 • 20 mins
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 operates with a small staff, you may not think your funeral professionals can be gone for weeks at a time. In this episode of FD Talks, host Rob Davidson and Kris Seale, President and Chief Executiv...
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FD Talks 35: What You Need to Know about Funeral Home Websites | Part 2

February 27, 2024 • 25 mins
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 and more as host Rob Davidson continues the conversation on funeral home websites. Drew Seale, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Funeral Directors Life, and Curtis Funk, Chief...
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FD Talks 34: What You Need to Know about Funeral Home Websites | Part 1

January 31, 2024 • 23 mins
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 leads for your funeral home. The newest FD Talks dives into the importance of funeral home websites and their role in improving your service and growing your business. Host Rob Davidson is joined b...
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FD Talks 33: 2023 Recap: 7 Key Funeral Home Lessons to Remember

December 19, 2023 • 14 mins
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 on the podcast this year. Hear from funeral experts on how to prepare for another year of caring for families by meeting your community’s needs, using a digital marketing strategy, growing as a fune...

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FD Talks 32: The Biggest Disconnects Between Funeral Homes and Families | Part 2

November 1, 2023 • 17 mins
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 conversation about common disconnects between funeral homes and families revealed in a recent consumer study. Host Rob Davidson welcomes back Todd Carlson, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer ...
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FD Talks 31: The Biggest Disconnects Between Funeral Homes and Families | Part 1

September 27, 2023 • 22 mins
“If you want to sell Mrs. Jones what Mrs. Jones buys, you need to see Mrs. Jones through Mrs. Jones's eyes.” When it comes to funerals, families' knowledge and preferences have changed. And in order to best serve your community, you need to understand how families view funerals and what they expect from you. In part one of this FD Talks two-part series, host Rob Davidson welcomes Todd Carlson, Executive Vice President and Chief S...
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FD Talks 30: Revealing the Secret Benefits of Google for Funeral Homes

August 31, 2023 • 21 mins
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 Haley Laurence, Digital Marketing Supervisor at Funeral Directors Life, to the FD Talks podcast to discuss the importance of promoting your business with Google Ads.
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FD Talks 29: Grow Your Preneed Program with These Marketing Strategies

August 3, 2023 • 27 mins
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 Service Group of Oklahoma, and R.T. Delhomme, Vice President of Operations at Martin & Castille Funeral Home in Louisiana, about new marketing strategies that can help grow your preneed program. Learn h...
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