For going on seven years now I’ve enjoyed writing Funeral Director Daily.  It keeps my mind working and trying to improve the business I enjoyed working in — a business that I was allowed the privilige to serve families that needed guidance and care at a difficult time of their lives.

I feel the same about Funeral Director Daily. . . .if my thoughts and ideas and perspectives on business operations can make some small improvement in the way you serve families or realize profits I feel like I’m continuing to contribute to the profession.

I do this because I love doing it and hope I’m helping.  It’s not about being recognized for doing so.

However, like everybody else — it’s always a good feeling to be recognized.  I was humbled by being asked to be interviewed by Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro on his podcast, The Direct Cremation Podcast, last month.  Tyler was able to navigate a conversation with me that I think will give you a realistic representation of who I am, where I’ve been, and what I do.  If you want to know more about me and how I operated my funeral home this podcast is for you.

Here’s part of Tyler’s tease for listening. . .

Few in death care can match the experience and perspective of Thomas J. Anderson—fourth-generation funeral director, community leader, University of Minnesota Regent, and the voice behind the widely read Funeral Director Daily blog. In this episode of The Direct Cremation Podcast, host Tyler Yamasaki, CEO of Parting Pro, dives into Anderson’s story of legacy, innovation, and gratitude.

From stepping up at 19 to keep the family business alive, to modernizing operations and navigating a successful sale, Anderson’s journey is a playbook for today’s funeral home owners facing an evolving market.

 

and, here is his summation of the podcast. . .

For funeral home owners, Anderson’s story offers a roadmap:

Lead with service. Compassion and transparency never go out of style.

Adapt to change. From pre-need to online cremation services, innovation is survival.

Price for value, not fear. Families appreciate honesty and fairness.

Protect your people. Whether selling, scaling, or starting out, success is shared.

As the funeral profession moves toward digital tools like funeral planning software, online funeral arrangements, and best online cremation software, Anderson’s journey reminds us that technology enhances great service—it doesn’t replace it.

For more information on the podcast and to listen to it, click here.

To learn more about Parting Pro, the #1 Cremation Arrangement software for funeral homes click here.

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,201 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily

“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Okay. . . I’m generally not one to toot my own horn, but I did promise my friend Charis Rethorford, Head of Partnerships and Marketing at Prelude, that I would appear on one of their Zoom webinars to discuss the state of the funeral profession, as I see it,  with her.  If you want to lean in on what Charis and I will discuss make sure that you click here to register for Wednesday’s session sponsored by Prelude.

According to Prelude’s information on the session Charis and I will discuss  “. . . cutting-edge innovations and strategies for funeral homes to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. I will share my insights into challenges like cremation trends, eco-friendly options, and shifting consumer behavior.” 

Quite frankly, I’m looking forward to the session.  It’s not often that I get the chance to visit in a live format with those of you who read Funeral Director Daily.  And, while I’m not exactly sure, I do believe that there may be a way for webinar enrollees to ask questions.

This all takes place on Wednesday, January 29, at Noon Eastern Time, 11:00 am Central Time, and 9:00 am Pacific Time.

For more information on Prelude and where it fits in the Death Care ecosystem you can click here.

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,120 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily:

“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Randy Anderson and Support for Ourselves and Our Profession

Join the Virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting in January

WHEELING, IL— For some, funeral service is the family business. For others, it’s a career change. For most, becoming a funeral professional is a calling to serve their community in their moments of grief. For all, it is not an easy career. On January 21, Randy Anderson facilitates the first Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting of 2025 with an open discussion for participants across deathcare to ask questions of this industry leader and connect on a range of topics.

Funeral Professionals Peer Support was created as a welcoming space for sharing experiences and connecting with others in deathcare who “get it.” These monthly virtual meetings bring people from all professional and geographic areas together to ask questions, share experiences, and connect in a supportive community environment. We’ll start the new year with guest Randy Anderson, a first-generation funeral director, former owner of Radney’s Funeral Home and Langley Funeral Home in Alabama, and past president of the National Funeral Directors Association. Randy has spent his career supporting funeral service and professionals through volunteering and teaching and will continue this mission and inspire others at our January meeting.

“I have had many opportunities to lead throughout my life and have been taught and supported by many wonderful leaders,” Randy explains. “In every leadership position, I have learned that everyone wants to be heard and it’s important to listen. I have learned that everyone does not see every experience the same. Looking back, I would advise myself to try to look more through the eyes of others.” Randy brings this wealth of experience in funeral service and commitment to giving back to the peer support meeting on Tuesday, January 21.

Whether you’re looking to learn, contribute, or simply engage, this meeting provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations and support. “I have always believed that it is important to give back to the community and to my profession,” reminds Randy. “If we are always ‘taking’ without giving back eventually there will be nothing left for those who follow us.”

Join the meeting to lend an ear and find support with Randy Anderson. Log on to the virtual funeral professional peer support meeting is Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. No registration is required, simply follow the link to join.

If you cannot attend a peer support meeting or are seeking support outside of this time, Funeral Professionals Peer Support’s Warmline is open 24/7 for calls and texts: (613) 917-8057 (call or text).

About Funeral Professionals Peer Support

Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.

About CANA

Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,700 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.

Back in April 2024 Tukios and its founder CEO Curtis Funk announced that they would be producing a podcast series titled “Podcasket”.  According to this press release on the series, it would feature “. . . . all things deathcare, feature special guests, and will be available on any streaming device. 

I was humbled when CEO Funk reached out to me and wanted to produce a podcast about my life in funeral service.  After answering some pre-interview questions for him and sending him a history of my work experiences, we got down to cutting the interview almost two weeks ago.

Last Thursday the episode dropped for the public and I present it here for you today just in case you want to know more about me and what I think of the future of funeral service . . .as well as more subjects.  You can also access five other Podcasket episodes of people in funeral service from this link.

You can follow this link to the episodes I mention and can easily find the episode that I’m featured on. . . . .If you navigate to the bottom (scroll it down) of the link you can access the episodes in YouTube format where it is not only sound but sound and video.

Here is the Podcasket link and following is the “teaser” put out by Podcasket for this episode:

“Tune into this PodCakset episode, where Curtis Funk interviews Thomas Anderson, a fourth-generation funeral director and entrepreneur with a remarkable background in both the funeral and sports industries. Thomas shares his journey from growing up in rural Minnesota, where he unexpectedly took over the family funeral home, to later founding a professional basketball league and sports business. His insights reflect a deep understanding of the funeral profession, and his experience in running Funeral Director Daily, a well-known industry publication, showcases his ongoing influence in the field.

Thomas discusses the evolution of funeral services, from traditional practices to modern consumer choices, including the rise of cremation and the need for funeral directors to adapt to new trends like natural organic reduction and the “cremation aftermarket.” He emphasizes the importance of offering families a variety of memorialization options, especially as more consumers seek personalized and environmentally conscious alternatives. His business acumen shines through as he explains how he leveraged creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset to navigate the challenges of funeral service and beyond.

Throughout the conversation, Thomas reflects on the lessons he’s learned from his diverse ventures, offering advice for current and future funeral professionals. He advocates for honesty, fairness, and a commitment to helping others, whether through providing quality funeral care or innovating new business opportunities. Tune in to hear about his unique path, how he successfully balanced multiple ventures, and the wisdom he imparts from his decades of experience.”

I truly enjoyed my discussion with Curtis Funk and hope you enjoy the discussion also.

Tom Anderson

Funeral Director Daily

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,143 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily:

“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”