Premier Preneed Marketing Welcomes Adam Land 

Premier Preneed Marketing, a leading preneed marketing company, has announced the hiring of Adam Land as Director of Sales. In his new role, Land will expand and strengthen the Premier’s sales team’s relationships with funeral homes, agents, and agencies, while driving continued growth in pre-need funeral services.

Land brings nearly two decades of proven success in sales leadership, marketing, strategic planning, and business development within both the preneed and insurance marketing sectors. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Preneed Sales for National Preneed Company, LLC, where he guided sales and marketing operations, developed new business strategies, and managed significant growth initiatives. Under his leadership, sales more than doubled in five years, with consistent year-over-year increases.  Before National Preneed Company, Land served as Director of Sales & Marketing at Premier Preneed Marketing.

Land will join the Premier team to offer recruitment, training, and mentoring of preneed sales professionals; implement strategic sales plans; and ensure that funeral homes and the families they serve receive exceptional support. He will also play a key role in community outreach and compliance oversight, helping to uphold Premier’s commitment to integrity and performance in the preneed marketplace.

“Our goal in bringing Adam on is to expand Premier’s capacity to deliver outstanding service, support, training, and technology to our funeral home partners,” said Jeff Wright, Vice President – Preneed at Premier Preneed Marketing. “His track record of growth and leadership allows us to expand our ability to work with larger groups, as well as individual locations that want to nurture and protect their communities with preneed.” 

“I’m excited to join Premier Preneed Marketing at such a pivotal time in our profession,” said Land. “I look forward to partnering with funeral homes and agents to create meaningful solutions that not only grow business but also serve families with compassion and integrity.”

Land holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas and is licensed in life insurance across multiple states.

About Premier Preneed Marketing:   Premier Preneed Marketing, an Integrity Company, has provided support, training, and leading insurance solutions to funeral homes since 1968. By consistently designing innovative, consumer-friendly products, Premier has earned a reputation as one of the most respected insurance brokerages in the country. In addition to strong commission schedules and outstanding product offerings, Premier also provides value-added services to help their funeral home partners grow their businesses. To learn more, visit www.premierpreneed.com.

Dead Ringers Welcomes Industry Veteran Brent Thomas and Unveils Enhanced Customer Experience Support Services for Deathcare Professionals 

Cincinnati, Ohio – May 22, 2025 – Dead Ringers, pioneering customer experience expert for the deathcare profession, officially announces the appointment of Brent Thomas as Head of Business Development—alongside a slew of new service options designed to support businesses at a higher level. 

With nearly a decade of research encompassing over 50,000 mystery calls to funeral homes and cemeteries, Dead Ringers has evolved beyond mystery shopping to become a premier training partner for deathcare establishments seeking measurable growth. 

“Bringing Brent Thomas on board represents a pivotal moment in Dead Ringers’ journey,” says Mandie Hungarland, COO at Dead Ringers. “To date, we’ve relied on word-of-mouth to grow—which has worked surprisingly well, but it’s time the world sees what we’re really capable of. Brent’s industry expertise and proven track record in developing effective sales and training strategies align perfectly with our mission to transform CX in the deathcare profession.” 

Brent brings over 28 years of experience in the deathcare profession, beginning his journey in cemetery and funeral preneed sales before quickly advancing into sales leadership roles. Joining Batesville in 2002, he has played instrumental roles, including helping to launch a pet cremation startup, serving as a cremation subject matter expert, and consulting on key accounts. More recently, Brent led the sales training and development team at Homesteaders Life Co. He’s gained award-winning recognition as a business consultant, trainer, coach, mentor, and strategic sales leader. 

“I am thrilled to join Dead Ringers because of the company’s innovation and stellar reputation,” Brent shares. “The extensive training Dead Ringers provides to deathcare professionals daily is remarkable, though often underappreciated. I knew I had to be part of this impactful journey to help funeral professionals deliver the best possible customer experience.” 

In conjunction with this strategic hire, Dead Ringers has formally unveiled its enhanced service offerings. The company’s cornerstone “Growth Plan” establishes a long-term partnership with funeral home and cemetery owners, delivering comprehensive leadership strategy, one-on-one staff coaching, group training sessions, and ongoing CX evaluations. 

Complementing this hands-on approach is CXpertise, Dead Ringers’ new on-demand learning platform featuring video modules, downloadable resources, monthly webinars, and specialized classes. When utilized together, these programs enable professionals to achieve “Dead Ringers Certification,” a new milestone for customer experience excellence in deathcare. 

The results speak for themselves: Clients implementing the Dead Ringers Growth Plan have experienced remarkable revenue increases ranging from 11% to 33%—a figure that is anticipated to increase with the launch of the CXpertise platform. 

This powerful combination of industry-leading expertise and innovative training solutions positions Dead Ringers to continue its mission of elevating the customer experience and helping deathcare professionals thrive. 

About Dead Ringers 

Dead Ringers is the customer experience expert for the deathcare profession, specializing in providing telephone CX evaluation, training and coaching. Through proprietary data collection, comprehensive training programs, and on-demand learning platform, Dead Ringers empowers deathcare professionals to deliver exceptional customer experiences while achieving measurable business growth. For more information, visit deadringers.co.

Selected Announces New Officers; Welcomes New Directors  

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. April 7, 2025 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes (Selected), the  world’s leading association of forward-thinking funeral professionals with a shared vision of  advancing independent funeral service, announces the election of new Board Officers. Barbara  Risher-Welch, owner of Risher Mortuary & Cremation Service in Montebello, California, will  serve as President and Christopher Waite, owner of Waite Funeral Homes in Medina, Ohio,  will serve as Board Chair. 

New Officers 

Risher Mortuary & Cremation Service has been an active member since joining Selected in  2016. Barbara Risher-Welch says, “Joining Selected has been the best move our family owned business has ever made. Since the beginning, I have been even more impressed with  the members and staff who make up this association. Working together with Christopher and  our other dedicated and talented Board members, it is our strong commitment to lead Selected  into the future, carrying on the legacy, distinction, and quality we’ve been known for since  1917.” 

Christopher Waite’s firm, Waite Funeral Homes, was invited into Selected membership in  2013. “I am truly honored to step into the role of Board Chair for Selected Independent Funeral  Homes,” Waite shares. “Reflecting on my time as a member, I am deeply grateful for the  personal and professional growth I have experienced because of my involvement in Selected. I  look forward to collaborating with Barbara, our exceptional Board members, and Selected’s  talented staff as we work together to lead our association into a bright and promising future.” 

New Directors 

Additionally, the Selected Board Director Appointment Committee has chosen Todd Bozell, president and owner of Bozell Funeral Homes in Lapel, Indiana, and Megan Comer, president  and owner of Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido, California, as incoming Board Directors.  

With a passion for keeping independent firms independent, Todd Bozell reflects “I could not be  more honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Selected. I am excited to work with the  entire team at Selected, and I will do my best to represent the membership and promote  Selected to the next generation of independent funeral homes.” 

Megan Comer is involved in several funeral service organizations and causes on a national and state level. “I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as a Board Director for Selected,  an organization that holds a special place in my heart,” she shares. “My late father was a  proud member of this Board, and it is both a privilege and a personal responsibility to carry on  his legacy of service, compassion, and leadership.”  

Risher Welch, Waite, Bozell and Comer will begin their leadership terms at the 2025 Selected  Annual Meeting, September 28 – October 1, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding professionals into Selected’s leadership,” remarks Rob Paterkiewicz, Selected’s Executive Director & CEO. “Their collective experience,  dedication, and leadership will help guide our organization with strength and sensibility as we  continue to support our members and advance the profession. We look forward to their valuable insights and contributions in shaping the future of Selected and independent funeral  service” 

The current Selected Board of Directors includes President Tom Antram, Albuquerque, New  Mexico; Board Chair John Keohane, Quincy, Massachusetts; Barbara Risher-Welch,  Montebello, California; Christopher Waite, Medina, Ohio; J. Sheridan Lee, Garner, North  Carolina; David Moore, Mason City, Iowa; Brad Pingel, Pampa, Texas; and Daniel Kochapski,  Windsor, Connecticut. 

About Selected Independent Funeral Homes  

Selected Independent Funeral Homes provides innovative resources, solutions, and ongoing support to a global network of independently-owned death care providers. Committed to  excellence, our members adhere to rigorous standards and best practices, ensuring reliable,  high-quality service and funeral-related information for the public. For more information about  Selected’s programs, communities, and membership, or to locate a member, visit  www.selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219. 

Rollings Funeral Service Welcomes New Southeastern Regional Manager

Peachtree City, GA – Rollings Funeral Service is excited to announce Jason Greer as the new Regional Manager for their Southeastern Region. In this role, Greer will oversee operations across North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia.

With nearly four decades in funeral service, Greer brings his expertise and passion for helping others. His career began in 1986 at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Orlando, FL, afterwards attending Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science. He later founded West Georgia Crematory before joining Rollings Funeral Service in 2004, where he has held multiple leadership roles.

Guided by the philosophy “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve), Greer is dedicated to helping families navigate life’s difficult moments and empowering funeral homes with innovative solutions. His leadership will be instrumental as Rollings continues its growth through new partnerships, ensuring family-owned firms can protect their legacies while benefiting from the support of a privately owned company.

“Rollings Funeral Service is growing with a singular focus—helping family-owned funeral homes preserve their heritage while providing exceptional care to the families they serve,” said Greer.

For more information about Rollings Funeral Service and its commitment to supporting family-owned funeral homes, visit rollingsfuneralservice.com.

About Rollings Funeral Service

Rollings Funeral Service is one of the largest private funeral home operators in the country, dedicated to preserving the legacy of family-owned firms while enhancing their ability to serve their communities. With a strong commitment to compassionate care and operational excellence, Rollings continues to expand through strategic partnerships, providing owners with peace of mind and a seamless transition.

Express Funeral Funding Promotes Adam Setty to Client Operations Manager & Welcomes Rachel Schmelz as Customer Service Manager

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN – Release 9/23/24 – Express Funeral Funding (EFF), the the nation’s largest privately held, FASTEST and EASIEST at-need insurance assignment funding company is pleased to announce the promotion of Adam Setty from customer service manager to client operations manager and welcome Rachel Schmelz as customer service manager. 

Setty, an 18-year EFF veteran brings a wealth of knowledge and years of claims operation experience to this new role. As client operations manager Setty will oversee EFF’s core business relationships and ensure these customers receive the support and priority-attention needed to receive the ultimate funding experience, only EFF can provide. 

“Adam was one of the first employees we hired at EFF,” said Michael Wilson, co-founder and vp of operations. “He knows exactly what our customers’ needs are and I’m confident his leadership and invaluable skillset will provide an even greater experience for the funeral homes and cemeteries we serve nationwide.”

EFF is also pleased to welcome Rachel Schmelz as customer service manager, assuming Setty’s previous role.

Schmelz comes to EFF with over a decade of experience in business development management for engineering and law firms and possesses a background as a paralegal.

“With the addition of Rachel, we can now expand and further develop tailored processes and services to best serve our customers wants and needs,” said Adam Setty. “I am proud to have served our clients for nearly two decades and look forward to starting this new position and deepening my connections with our clients, who I truly consider family. 

EFF boasts a top rated customer service and USA-based concierge team dedicated to providing the ultimate funding experience. To reach Adam or Rachel directly contact; adam@expff.com, rachel.schmelz@expff.com or text 415.949.CHAT (2428) on your mobile device. 

Express Funeral Funding has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide the ultimate funding experience since 2002. EFF eliminates the challenges of working with insurance companies by limiting administration, providing immediate payment, and advancing complete policy funds. For more information on Express Funeral Funding, please visit www.expressfuneralfunding.com, email contact@expff.com or call 812.949.9011. 

Tampa Bay Welcomes Back the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition, April 10-13, 2024: A Premier Gathering for Professional Excellence

STERLING, VA (March 6, 2024) – This year, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is returning to Tampa Bay and docks on April 10-13 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and Tampa Convention Center. Join thousands of deathcare professionals at this convention to expand your knowledge, learn from world-class keynote speakers, participate in educational breakout sessions, visit our expansive exhibit hall for the latest goods and services and connect with deathcare professionals worldwide. Currently, we have 225 exhibiting companies, and they occupy 428 booths within the exhibit hall. Limited booth space is still available. This is a can’t-miss event.

The convention is highlighted by two incredible keynote speakers on Thursday, April 11, at 2:30 p.m. and Friday, April 12, at 9 a.m., respectfully. The 2024 keynote speakers include:

     SHAWN ANCHOR is a New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential. Shawn is a world-leading expert on the connection between happiness and success who has worked with many Fortune 100 companies, including places like the NFL, the Pentagon and the U.S. Treasury. Shawn’s presentation, “Big Potential: How Transforming the Pursuit of Sucess Raises Our Achievement, Happiness, and Well-Being,” will show us that pursuing potential in an interconnected way is how we can achieve our potential in business and education. Shawn will share five strategies for achieving success and applying them to work and home life.

     BRIAN SOLIS is a world-renowned digital anthropologist, futurist, award-winning author and global keynote speaker. Brian has been called “one of the more creative and brilliant business minds of our time” by Forbes. Brian speaks on disruptive trends and technologies and their impacts on business and society. Brian will present “Ignite Moments! How to Become a “Customer Company” in an ever-evolving world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) blurs the lines between physical and digital experiences. Brian will also demonstrate how “ignite moments” deliver personalization, warmth, and connected experiences that people love, remember and share.

The 2024 ICCFA Exposition Hall Grand Opening & Reception will commence on Wednesday, April 10, at 4:15 p.m., inviting all attendees to partake in the festivities and refreshments. The exhibit hall will remain open on Thursday, April 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The President’s Banquet, now scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m., ensures that attendees won’t miss out on this significant event. Following the banquet reception, the evening will feature the annual Celebration of Remembrance, recognition of the 2023 Keeping It Personal Award winners and the induction of Fred Lappin, CCE, into the ICCFA Hall of Fame for his outstanding service to the association, the deathcare profession, and the public.

A highlight of the evening will be the ICCFA Presidential transfer, marking the end of Robbie Pape’s term and the introduction of Lee Longino as the incoming President. The night will culminate with comedian Josh Blue, sharing his stand-up routine and off-the-cuff improvisational skills.

The breakout sessions, designed to be a great learning experience to stimulate professional growth, will incorporate sessions on how to lead and develop staff, new cemetery developments in the 21st century, consumer expectations and tips on hiring new staff and retaining top talent. Program details, information on how to exhibit, hotel booking links and registration information are available at iccfa.com/annual.

###Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.