For the latest issue of The Independent magazine, OGR caught up with Todd Green from Snyder-Green Funeral Home, George Irvin Green Funeral Home, and Green Pet Funeral Home & Crematory in Munhall, Pennsylvania to talk about his career, the latest trends in funeral service, and much more. OGR members can read full versions of previous magazine editions in the OGR Digital Magazine Archive.
What is your official job title and age?
At 36 years old, I serve as Co-Owner and Funeral Director of Snyder-Green Funeral Home, George Irvin Green Funeral Home, and Green Pet Funeral Home & Crematory alongside my brother, Scott. Together, we are committed to honoring our family's legacy while continuing to grow and modernize our businesses to meet the evolving needs of the families we serve.
How many years have you worked in funeral service?
I have been a licensed funeral director for approximately 10 years, but funeral service has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a third-generation funeral director, I grew up around the profession and developed a deep appreciation for the important role funeral service plays in helping families and communities. Those early experiences shaped my values and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to serving others during some of life's most difficult moments.
Why did you begin working in funeral service?
Although I grew up around funeral service, I did not automatically assume it would become my career. After graduating from Baldwin Wallace University, I worked in the financial services industry with BNY Mellon, where I gained valuable business and professional experience. While I enjoyed that role, I found myself drawn back to funeral service because of the meaningful impact it has on families and communities. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the compassion, professionalism, and dedication that funeral directors provide during life's most difficult moments. I realized that helping families navigate loss while honoring the lives of their loved ones was both a privilege and a calling. That sense of purpose ultimately led me back to the profession and inspired me to continue my family's tradition of service.
What is the most rewarding part of your occupation?
The most rewarding part of my occupation is helping families create meaningful and personalized tributes for their loved ones. Every family is different, and every life story deserves to be honored in a unique way. I enjoy working closely with families to understand what was important to their loved one and helping them incorporate those personal touches into the service.
One example that stands out involved a family whose loved one was passionate about his pickup truck. rather than using a traditional hearse, the family wanted their loved one to make his final journey to the cemetery in his pickup truck as part of the procession. They also requested that our staff wear blue jeans and work boots instead of our traditional suits because it better reflected his personality and lifestyle. Seeing how meaningful those personal touches were to the family reinforced my belief that funeral service is not about a one-size-fits-all approach, it's about helping families create experiences that truly celebrate the unique lives of the people they love.
What are your professional goals?
My professional goal is to continue building upon the foundation established by previous generations while ensuring our funeral homes remain a trusted resource for families in the communities we serve. I want to continue providing meaningful, personalized services that help families honor their loved ones in ways that reflect their unique lives and values. I am also passionate about mentoring future funeral directors, embracing thoughtful innovation within our profession, and helping ensure that funeral service remains a respected and essential part of our communities for generations to come.
What are you proud of that you have achieved so far during your career in funeral service?
I am most proud of having the opportunity to continue and build upon a family legacy that has served our community for generations. It is incredibly rewarding to earn the trust of families and to help them through some of life's most difficult moments. I am also proud of helping our funeral homes evolve while maintaining the values of compassion, professionalism, and personal service that have always defined our family's approach to funeral service. Seeing families return to us generation after generation is one of the greatest honors and accomplishments I could ask for in this profession.
What are some of the important/notable trends that you have noticed in funeral service?
One of the most notable trends I have observed is that families increasingly want options and flexibility when planning funeral services. Personalization continues to be important, as families seek meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. We have also seen the continued growth of cremation, which has created new opportunities for memorialization that were not as common in previous generations.
I believe pre-planning will continue to play an increasingly important role in our profession. Pre-planning allows individuals to communicate their wishes, make important decisions, and in many cases pre-fund services, helping reduce both emotional and financial burdens of their families in the future.
As funeral professionals, it is important that we continue listening to the families and communities we serve. Consumer preferences will continue to evolve, and our responsibility is to understand those changing needs and provide meaningful options that reflect what families truly want. While the methods and services may change over time, our commitment to compassion, service, and helping families honor their loved ones remains the foundation of our profession.
What benefits have you received from being involved with OGR Future Leaders? What would you say to others who are uncertain about getting involved with this group?
Being involved with OGR Future Leaders has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. My brother, Scott, and I attended our first Future Leaders event nearly 10 years ago in Austin, Texas, and it immediately connected us with an incredible group of young funeral professionals from across the country. Over the years, I have developed friendships and professional relationships that have provided valuable ideas, support, and perspectives on our profession.
One of the things I enjoy most about Future Leaders is the opportunity to learn from outstanding speakers, innovative companies, and fellow funeral directors who are passionate about the future of funeral service. I especially enjoyed last year's event in Michigan, which was very well attended and offered many valuable educational opportunities.
For anyone who is uncertain about getting involved, I would strongly encourage them to attend, the relationships you build, the ideas you bring home, and the opportunities to learn from some of the best professionals in our industry are invaluable. I am especially excited that our group will be hosting this year's event at George Irvin Green Funeral Home in Munhall, Pennsylvania. We are looking forward to showcasing our community, sharing some of the great things Pittsburgh has to offer, and creating an outstanding experience for attendees. More details will be announced soon, and I hope to see many familiar and new faces there this August.
How do you spend your time outside of work? Is there anything in particular that you enjoy doing?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, staying active, and participating in a variety of sports and community activities. My faith is also an important part of my life, and I enjoy being involved with my church community at Homestead Park United Methodist Church.
As a former high school and college soccer player, I still enjoy playing indoor soccer during the winter months. I also enjoy weightlifting and staying active year-round. Golf is another passion of mine, and I enjoy competing in Pennsylvania Golf Association and Western Pennsylvania Golf Association events.
One of my favorite accomplishments outside of funeral service was winning the 2023 Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Brothers Championship with my brother, Scott, at Shannopin Country Club. The event is played in a Chapman format, and it was a special experience to share that achievement together.
My wife, Emily, and I also enjoy attending live music events and concerts, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I am a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan and enjoy attending Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins games whenever I have the opportunity.
Whether it is spending time with family, competing in sports, serving my community, or enjoying fellowship with friends, I value activities that help me stay connected to the people and values that are most important to me.
What are three personal goals that you have?
First, I want to continue to grow as a husband, and family member. My family is the most important part of my life, and I strive to be present, supportive, and a positive example for those closest to me.
Second, I want to maintain a healthy balance between faith, family, work, and personal wellness. Funeral service can be a demanding profession, and I believe it is important to prioritize both physical and spiritual well-being so that I can continue serving others at my best.
Third, I want to continue learning and growing as a leader within my profession and community. Whether through organizations like OGR, my church, or community involvement, I hope to make a positive impact and help leave things better than I found them for future generations.
Who or what inspires you?
My father, Donald Green, has been one of the greatest influences in my life. Watching him continue the second generation of our family's funeral service tradition through hard work, dedication, and service to others taught me many of the values I carry with me today.
I am also inspired by people who continually challenge themselves to become better. One perspective that has always resonated with me comes from Matthew McConaughey, who spoke about being inspired by the person he hopes to become in the future. I think there is a lot of value in always striving to improve and never becoming complacent.
I also admire endurance athletes, Ironman competitors, and long-distance runners who push themselves beyond what many people believe is possible. Their determination, discipline, and ability to persevere through adversity are qualities that inspire me. Life inevitably presents challenges and setbacks, but I believe success often comes from continuing to move forward, adapting to circumstances, and refusing to give up when things become difficult.
What is one thing that you believe your peers would be surprised to know about you?
Many of my peers may be surprised to learn that before becoming a funeral director, I worked in the financial services industry with BNY Mellon. After graduating from Baldwin Wallace University, I pursued a career outside of funeral service and gained valuable experience in a corporate environment before ultimately returning to the family profession.
Looking back, I am grateful for that experience because it provided a different perspective on leadership, business operations, customer service, and professional development. While my career ultimately led me back to funeral service, the lessons I learned in the financial services industry continue to influence how I approach both business and serving families today.
What do you value most about OGR?
What I value most about OGR is the people. Throughout my involvement with OGR and Future Leaders, I have had the opportunity to build friendships and professional relationships with funeral directors from across the country who share a passion for serving families and strengthening our profession.
I also appreciate OGR's commitment to education, leadership development, and the open exchange of ideas. The organization creates an environment where professionals can learn from one another, discuss challenges, and share best practices while respecting the traditions that make funeral service such a meaningful profession.
Most importantly, OGR brings together people who genuinely care about the future of funeral service. The relationships I have developed through OGR have been among the most valuable and rewarding aspects of my involvement, and I am grateful to be part of an organization that continues to invest in the next generation of leaders.
The association tries to "follow the Golden Rule." What other mantra do you try to live by?
One mantra I try to live by is "Leave things better than you found them." Whether it involves serving a family, supporting a colleague, strengthening a business, or helping my community, I believe we all have a responsibility to make a positive impact on the people around us.
As a member of the Steel Valley Rotary Club, I have also been influenced by Rotary's Four-Way Test, which asks: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? While those questions may seem simple, I believe they provide a powerful framework for making decisions and evaluating how our actions affect others.
What I appreciate most about the Four-Way Test is that it encourages us to think beyond ourselves. It reminds us to be honest, treat people fairly, build strong relationships, and make decisions that positively impact our communities. In many ways, those principles align closely with the values of funeral service, where trust, compassion, integrity, and service to others are essential.
When I look back on my career and personal life, my hope is that I will have treated people fairly, built meaningful relationships, contributed positively to my community, and left things better than I found them. Those are values that continue to guide the decisions I make every day.