Rest Assured: The Funeral Profession Podcast
 OGR regularly brings together funeral leaders on its podcast series to discuss the latest developments and trends in the deathcare profession. Every episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and OGR’s Learning Library.
Starting January 13, 2025 and releasing weekly, host and OGR board member Justin Zabor, CFSP, will bring you expert interviews, insights, and practical advice that will expand your knowledge of the funeral profession and help you serve the families in your community. Stay tuned to this page for the latest episode links as they are released, and don't forget to check out previous seasons of the OGR podcast below!
Previous Seasons
2023: The Changing Consumer
The Changing Consumer showcases interviews with field experts who offer their knowledge and experience on various subjects related to funeral trends, consumer behavior, embalming, and current challenges faced by funeral professionals. Thank you to Gregory McClary, CSFP of Chapel of the Chimes in Westland, MI for hosting our podcast this season.
- Episode 1: Professional development, growth and networking | Wendy King, CAE, OGR Executive Director
- Episode 2: Cremation preferences and trends | Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director, Cremation Association of North America
- Episode 3: Thinking outside the box | Justin Zabor, Owner, Zabor Funeral Home
- Episode 4: Combating compassion and change fatigue | Liesel Mertes, Founder of Handle with Care
- Episode 5: Using social media to engage your families | Larnique Mickens, Owner, Heritage Mortuary
- Episode 6: Honing your passion and moving forward in your profession | Wally Hooker, Owner, Family & Friends Funeral Home
What's Your Edge?
Independent funeral homes are always working to show how they are different than conglomerate competitors. Are you especially involved in your community? Do you have a specialized knowledge base, like issues specific to veteran funerals? Whatever the case may be, it can make a big difference to your business for you to take some time and determine what your "edge" is, and how you can leverage that to set yourself apart from the competition.
Shift Happens
The COVID-19 pandemic created a sudden shift in how funeral homes like yours serve families. Many traditional methods for hosting visitations and funerals were limited, but this limitation paved the way for innovation that could make us all better servants for our families moving forward. In response to this, OGR gathered some of the top thought leaders in the deathcare profession to offer concrete steps and new tools to help you lead your staff into this new future.
- Episode 1: What COVID-19 means for your funeral home | Panelists: Charles Castiglia, Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home; Roger Beyers, Beyers Funeral Home & Crematory; Bill Brock, Vander Plaat Funeral Home; Andrew Loos, Heartland Cremation & Burial Society
- Episode 2: How to harness new technologies well | Facilitator: Marty Strohofer, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions
- Episode 3: Pivot & Prevail - How to craft and share a message when margins are tight, funerals aren't valued and social distancing is the norm | Facilitator: Alex McCracken, Funeral Innovations
- Episode 4: Lessons Learned: Funeral Directors in pandemic hot spots share their experiences | Panelists: Randy Gagnon, Brunswick Memorial Home; Raffy Jose, Arlington Memorial Chapels; Jackie McQuade, Schuyler Hill Funeral Home
- Episode 5: A 3D approach to shifting your perspective on wellness & wellbeing | Facilitator: Traci Fisher, The Wellness Coach
- Episode 6: Serving families through delayed grief: Opportunities to serve and connect with your community | Facilitators: Jackie Hook and F. Glen Flemming
- Episode 7: Ideas Exchange: Find solutions to your biggest challenges | open conversation with OGR members
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