In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki and guest Ashley Jones break down the first phone call and show how simple changes in phrasing and flow can build trust fast!

In the latest episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, Tyler Yamasaki sits down with Donnell Beverly Jr., a former national champion 🏀, president of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, and now the visionary co-founder and CEO of Eazewell.

Think mortuary school prepares students for the real world? Think again. ☝🏽 In this eye-opening episode, Tyler Yamasaki (CEO of Parting Pro) sits down with Martha Thayer—funeral educator, industry leader, and founder of Mortuary Training—to reveal why so many new funeral directors leave their first job… and never come back!

For Courtney, you only need 2 Minutes and 34 Seconds Phone Call to deliver a 5-Star funeral home service! 📞 🤝🏾 🌟 In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Gould-Miller—funeral tech leader and President at Tribute Technology—to talk digital-first funeral homes, marketing cremations, and scaling with the best funeral home software. 📈

AI isn’t just for tech companies—it’s changing the funeral industry in BIG ways! In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, Parting Pro CEO Tyler Yamasaki sits down with co-founder and tech expert Will Chang to break down how ChatGPT and AI are reshaping the way funeral homes operate.

What if your final farewell could help the planet thrive? 🌍 In this episode, we sit down with Micah Truman, CEO of Return Home, to explore how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)—also known as human composting—redefines death care.

What does soup ladle, windy ash-scattering, and funeral home management software have in common? 🥄💨 They’re all part of this can’t-miss episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast!

Douglas Klein, the founder of Chicagoland Cremation Options, transformed a career setback into an opportunity to build one of the most innovative cremation brands in the industry.

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential for any business—especially for funeral homes, where families often search for services during critical times. In the most recent Direct Cremation Podcast episode, Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, discussed Google’s Local Service Ads with co-founder Albert Chang. They explain how Local Service Ads can help funeral homes capture leads and reach local families more effectively. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone managing a funeral home, cremation website, or cemetery.

In this episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki sits down with Christopher Teel, a first-generation funeral director who has built multiple thriving businesses in death care. Discover how Teel went from pursuing law to owning multiple funeral brands, including a high-volume cremation service and a traditional funeral home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Smith, a third-generation funeral director and the visionary behind Smith Family Funeral Homes and Arkansas Cremation. Jeff’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—he has more than 10X’d his family’s business in Central Arkansas, built both traditional and cremation-focused funeral homes, and created a small death care empire.

Online marketing might seem easy to set up, but getting it right is another story. In this episode, my co-founder Albert Chang walks you through the top 10 mistakes that could be draining your ad budget. It’s not just about following the basics or letting Google handle everything—there are seasoned competitors out there who will grab the attention of your families if your marketing isn’t on point. Let’s make sure your marketing dollars are working hard for you, not going to waste.

From humble beginnings in the death care industry nearly 30 years ago, Troy Kaltenberg's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting at Service Corporation International, he cut his teeth in the world of pre-need sales. Fast forward to today, and Troy has built a thriving cremation brand, Grand Rapids Cremation Services, serving thousands of families and earning rave reviews along the way.

Barbara is back, baby! 🎉 In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), joining us for the third time! Barbara is here to drop some serious knowledge bombs about the latest cremation trends.

With three decades of experience, Scott Newton is a seasoned veteran in the death care industry. As President and founding member of Graystone Associates, Scott and his team have been helping funeral homes thrive for over 20 years. After assisting hundreds of funeral homes, Scott reveals the key strategies and metrics essential for growing market share.

Running four different locations is challenging. Maintaining a 5.0-star rating on Google for all of them? Almost impossible. But Julie Bishop of Crevasse’s Simple Cremation does it with finesse.

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).

Boost your contract totals! Caroline Andree, Head of Merchandising at Parting Pro, reveals the most popular merchandise chosen by families based on exclusive data from thousands of online arrangements at Parting Pro. Learn what's selling and how to tailor your recommendations to maximize your contract totals and provide the most value for families.

At the helm of a successful funeral home, a new cemetery, and a growing online cremation service, Bryce Bunker exemplifies a family-focused, service-centric approach that has propelled him to success in competitive corners of death care.

Jimmy Altmeyer is as impressive as they come. As a fourth-generation funeral director, he started with 3 funeral homes and has grown his empire into 53 rooftops and serves over 12,000 families each year. While that accomplishment alone is impressive, when you hear how Jimmy talks about the profession and the level of service that he strives to provide to every family that his companies serve, that’s where he really shines.