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.

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“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.

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

Funeral Service Foundation Receives $100,000 gift from the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic

Gift will support the Foundation’s Memorial Classic Scholarship for students of mortuary science

Brookfield, Wis. – The Funeral Service Foundation announced that it has received a $100,000 contribution from the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic. The Tom Johnson Memorial Classic was founded by Tom Johnson more than 40 years ago with the intent of bringing together friends in funeral service for fellowship on and off the golf course. With more than 136 participants every year, the tournament is a philanthropic force that gives back to the funeral service profession.

Since 2010, the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic has contributed more than $844,000 to the Funeral Service Foundation and has created the Foundation’s permanently endowed Memorial Classic Scholarship, the impact of which continues to grow. Since 2013, 31 students pursuing their mortuary science degrees at accredited institutions have received the Memorial Classic Scholarship.

“We are committed to giving back and ensuring that the future of funeral service has a pipeline of educated and degreed individuals whose student debt is minimized and are well prepared to help grieving families in their communities,” said President and CEO of Johnson Consulting Group, Jake Johnson.

About the Memorial Classic Scholarship:

Named in memory of some of the funeral profession’s finest – Bill Bischoff, Mike Fleming, Dave Hirt, Steve Mack, John Morrow, Ed Murphy, Mike Stephens, Ed Tuggle, Joe Weatherford, and Tom Johnson – the endowed scholarship at the Funeral Service Foundation is funded through proceeds from the annual Tom Johnson Memorial Classic, which is led by Jake Johnson of Johnson Consulting Group.

“Thanks to this generous gift and the ongoing tradition of giving from the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic, the Johnson family, and all those involved, many aspiring professionals in the funeral service industry are afforded new opportunities,” said John Heald, Chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board. “These contributions, which pay tribute to some of the funeral profession’s most dedicated advocates, help preserve their legacy by creating opportunities for compassion and care through this scholarship.”

About Johnson Consulting Group- https://www.johnsonconsulting.com/

Johnson Consulting Group is committed to providing business solutions and tools to achieve increased performance, profitability and success as one navigates the journey towards an exit strategy. Our expert services include Succession Planning, selling funeral homes and cemeteries, financing solutions, business coaching, accounting services, business performance analysis, customer survey program, Customer Experience workshops, incentive compensation plans and Leadership and Management training.

About the Funeral Service Foundation – FuneralServiceFoundation.org

Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission to lift up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.

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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

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