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

Bob Gordon on innovative service

December 23, 2025 • 50 mins
What happens when a 130-year-old cemetery combines innovation with tradition and legacy? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Bob Gordon to the podcast. The two discuss the importance of understanding consumers' needs, innovative approaches to service, and future trends that focus on personalization and community engagement. About Bob Gordon: Bob Gordon is a fourth-generation funeral director with more than 45 years of e...
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Walker Posey on legacy and leadership

December 9, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of The Director's Playbook, I sit down with Walker Posey, managing director of Posey Funeral Directors, a fourth-generation funeral home owner from South Carolina. We delve into the evolution of leadership within the funeral service, exploring the balance between tradition and innovation. Walker shares invaluable insights on the importance of community service, the changing dynamics of consumer expectations, and the...
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Lisa Baue on women in the funeral profession

November 25, 2025 • 45 mins
According to the American Board of Funeral Service Education, over 75% of the students enrolled in funeral service education programs in the U.S. in 2022 were women. Those numbers have continued to rise as more women are entering the funeral profession than ever before. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Lisa Baue for a conversation about growth, leadership, and women in the funeral profession. Lisa reflects on her own j...
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Family-owned funeral homes with the Hoff family

November 11, 2025 • 50 mins
What does it take to run a successful, family-owned funeral home across generations? In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, host Paul Lovelace welcomes retired funeral home owner Tim Hoff and his children, Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski and Tyler Hoff, who are also funeral professionals. The group discusses working with family, the importance of succession planning, and the power of community connection. If you’ve ever wondered what...
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Curtis Funk and Kelly Gilgenbach on AI in funeral homes

October 28, 2025 • 41 mins
Description: What if artificial intelligence could help you serve families better and make your funeral home more efficient? In this episode of the Director’s Playbook, host Paul Lovelace huddles up with Curtis Funk, CEO of Tukios, and Kelly Gilgenbach, VP of Sales at Funeral Directors Life and Passare, for a game-changing conversation on how AI is impacting funeral service. Curtis and Kelly share real-life AI examples, practical ...
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Preneed sales professionals and Macy Lane

October 14, 2025 • 40 mins
What if one staff member could boost your revenue, strengthen your team, and give families the peace of mind they need? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Macy Lane, a licensed funeral director turned preneed specialist, to reveal how she's helped many funeral homes in her area. Macy shares how a dedicated sales professional can drive your preneed program, reduce staff stress, and create lasting value for families....
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Mortuary school trends and insights with Cody Walker

September 30, 2025 • 33 mins
In a 2023 survey, the National Funeral Directors Association found that nearly 60% of all funeral professionals planned to retire by 2028. How will that impact the funeral profession? In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, host Paul Lovelace is joined by Cody Walker, Dean of Assessment at Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service. They explore what’s being done to prepare the next generation of funeral professionals and what you ca...
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Technology in the funeral profession with Josh McQueen and Kyle Swearingen

September 16, 2025 • 31 mins
Technology is changing the way funeral homes operate. But for many funeral professionals, that shift can bring uncertainty. Will technology replace funeral professionals? Is it possible to utilize technology without losing human connection? Host Paul Lovelace sits down with FDL’s very own Josh McQueen, VP of Marketing and Product, and Kyle Swearingen, VP of Development, to tackle those questions head-on. They explore how funera...
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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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Patrick Zalusky and 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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George Owens on funeral home surveys

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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Therapy dogs in funeral service with Bryan Hicks

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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Tyler Anderson and 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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The importance of succession planning with Jason Gazaille

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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