In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Robert Hunsaker, a true legend in the death care industry. From his childhood days living in a funeral home with his funeral director father, to working in cemetery groundskeeping, and climbing the ranks at Batesville, Great Western Insurance Company, and Sinosource, Robert's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s owned funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses, and now serves as the president of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).
But it’s not just his impressive resume that stands out. When Robert speaks about the latest trends, his dedication to education, and the groundbreaking initiatives at CANA, you can’t help but be captivated. In this episode, Robert shares powerful insights and predictions for the future of death care. With his vast experience and deep understanding of the industry, his perspectives are truly invaluable. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by one of the most influential voices in death care today.
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Welcome to Direct Cremation Podcast
(01:33) Welcome Robert Hunsaker
(02:00) How Robert started
(06:19) What being president of CANA is like
(08:28) What draws Robert to get involved with CANA?
(09:45) Which season of Robert's deathcare career has been most enjoyable?
(11:18) Big mistakes vendors are making
(14:06) How can funeral owners push forward without being too fast
(18:54) Factors Robert look for when acquiring or starting a business
(20:32) How did Robert know that it's time to sell
(21:46) Exciting trends in deathcare right now
(24:43) What would Robert's cemetery/funeral home/property would look like with unlimited budget
(28:07) What does Robert think deathcare will look like in 10 years?
(30:06) Does Robert think that direct cremation will still grow in the future?
(37:50) What Robert is looking forward to coming out of CANA
(40:24) Final thoughts
For Innovative Funeral Directors Blazing a Trail.
A podcast for funeral home owners where we talk about trends & opportunities we see in the funeral home industry. We bring on death care professionals and cremation experts to share what they know.
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Find us at https://directcremation.com
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Want to start a cremation brand yourself? Learn how the some of the biggest cremation brands do it at https://www.partingpro.com
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