2025 Agenda

With the number of funeral professionals declining due to retirements and career changes, managers must consider how to create a supportive environment for newly licensed employees to ensure success. Nearly 50% of new funeral directors leave the profession within five years, highlighting the need for better retention efforts. As owners, managers, and colleagues, we must preserve the future of the profession and reignite the passion that many of us hold dear. By mentoring new professionals, helping them discover their unique passions within the field, and guiding them through the challenges of caring for families during tough times, we can reduce burnout and create a fulfilling career for everyone. 

Have you ever been asked, “What is embalming?” or “Why embalm?” How would you respond if a family asked these questions during an arrangement or at a community meeting? In this workshop, you’ll learn to provide a clear, professional explanation of embalming to families and the public. You’ll also gain the confidence to defend the practice, emphasizing its benefits when challenged. Despite recent criticism, embalming remains relevant, purposeful, and valuable. When properly explained, its true worth is clear, helping families and communities appreciate its importance and preserve this sacred practice. 

In funeral service, reputation is everything. How you handle a crisis can either strengthen or damage your reputation. Crises can range from a dissatisfied family to managing media attention for a high-profile service. This workshop will teach you how to navigate these challenges with professionalism, empathy, and clarity. Learn to identify various crises, including misunderstandings or grievances, and turn them into opportunities to build trust. Gain strategies for responding on social media, engaging with the media, and issuing meaningful apologies. Mastering crisis communication will help you maintain your funeral home’s integrity and the trust of the families you serve.

In this informative presentation, we will delve into several injection points that are often overlooked as the "first choice" by embalmers. We will review these alternative techniques, focusing on best practices for accessing these points and the strategic benefits they offer for enhanced preservation.

Special emphasis will be placed on unique cases, such as autopsies without accessible carotids and newborns, where these methods can significantly improve outcomes. Join us to expand your skill set and gain valuable insights into innovative embalming practices.

As needs-based consumers, those seeking funeral services bring expectations shaped by other industries. They desire the same transparency, personalization, and value found in retail. This talk explores how funeral homes can adapt, offering insights on aligning technology, products and environments with modern consumer demands.