February 2, 2023
DOUG GOBER TO BE HONORED WITH THE ICCFA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION’S LASTING IMPACT AWARD STERLING, VA—January 31, 2023 – The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association’s (ICCFA) Educational Foundation will present its Lasting Impact Award to Doug Gober during the 2023 ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri. Doug has logged hundreds of hours as a speaker and educator at deathcare events across the globe and has presented at many ICCFA events including the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition, the DEAD Talks Sales Conference, and the ICCFA University. He has earned numerous national awards within the deathcare profession and has served as a consultant for marketing and merchandising projects on an international scale. Doug currently serves on the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee. Doug began his career in deathcare 44 years ago as a sales representative for Batesville Casket […]
July 25, 2022
We were excited to take part in the 2022 Funeral (Un)Conference. DISRUPT Media and ConnectingDirectors.com teamed up with deathcare leaders to bring the first-ever Funeral (un)Conference to your digital screen. Chris Cruger joined Day Two of the event for an unscripted and unprecedented panel discussion about all things business growth and funding. For a recap of the discussion, click the video below.
July 25, 2022
It is not surprising that the transaction environment is still as fast paced as it was this time last year. We were recently asked about the current environment and what to consider when deciding to sell your funeral business. Chris Cruger provides his insights on this important topic. Question: I am considering selling my funeral home in 2022. What does the current environment look like and what should I be considering when selling my business? Chris Cruger: First and foremost, if you want to do anything in 2022, you need to get the ball rolling immediately. The end of the year will be here before you know it and there is no time to waste. We discussed this very topic during the 2022 Funeral (un) Conference and it also introduces a number of other considerations. The first is, are you […]
June 27, 2022
Get Cohesive, Get Practical, Get Going! Generally speaking, when someone tells you to “have fun,” one cannot help but wonder if that is a genuine expression or some type of passive-aggressive warning. Think of when a woman says it to her boyfriend or spouse when he wants to have a “guy’s night” or a day of golf with his buddies. Yes, ladies, we have all been there! But I am here to tell you wholeheartedly that when it comes to marketing your funeral home or cemetery business, I want you to have F.U.N.— Functional, Unique, and Neat marketing elements. F for Functional Marketing Every business, regardless of its industry and vertical, needs a cohesive marketing strategy to engage with its audience enough so that they will buy the product or services offered. This is where functional marketing comes into play. […]
June 26, 2022
Planning for the succession of your funeral home or cemetery business is one of the hottest topics within our profession. It is a process that takes time and dedication to complete. We were recently asked about the process and if it is something that requires a business consultant. John T. McQueen, CFSP uses his own experience to provide insight on this important question. Question: Do I need a business consultant to help with my succession plan? John T. McQueen, CFSP: At a point in your career, you will find yourself in a unique position, caught between sense of duty and sense of family. You have spent a lifetime serving others and building or continuing your family’s legacy in funeral service. It has been a tiresome job at times, yet it has also been the most rewarding when the family hugs […]



