I’ve been around long enough to see many people call themselves a “Leader”.  Some of those people are and some aren’t.  I’ve also been around long enough to recognize a “True Leader” when they are in my midst.

And, tomorrow night those of you who tune in for the Cremation Association of North America’s (CANA) monthly Peer Support meeting will get to hear from one of the “True Leaders” of funeral service, Randy Anderson.  Anderson, no relation to me, is 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.

According to the CANA press release, ” (Anderson) has spent his career supporting funeral service and professionals through volunteering and teaching and will continue this mission and inspire others at the peer support meeting.”

In that same press release Anderson gives a little self-advice about leadership to others as he makes this comment, “I have had many opportunities to lead throughout my life and have been taught and supported by many wonderful leaders.  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.” 

For what it is worth, I was ecstatic when I saw that Randy Anderson had signed up to recieve Funeral Director Daily a few years ago.  His leadership at NFDA was truly inspiring and the thought that he would sign up to hear what I had to say is proof that he believes in what he says according to the preceding paragraph.  I eventually got to meet Randy at the Baltimore NFDA convention and even though we didn’t talk for long it was apparent to me that he lives to serve others and to serve funeral service.

To learn more or join the peer support meeting featuring Randy Anderson you can click here.  The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link.  No registration is required, simply follow the link to join.

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”