Webinar: Navigating the Future of Funeral Service: Strategies for Recruiting & Retaining Top Talent
Virtual Event
Wednesday, February 07, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
iCalendar
Central Standard Time
NFDA Webinar (1 CE Hour)
Free for Members
All times are U.S. Central Time
Unlocking Success: Join our Panel for an Insightful Dive into the Art of Building Dynamic Teams
Embark on a compelling journey with us as we host a thought-provoking panel discussion on the pivotal subject of talent acquisition and retention within the funeral service industry. In this webinar, our distinguished panel of funeral directors will provide invaluable insights, sharing their perspectives on the triumphs and tribulations encountered in the process of building dynamic and cohesive teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Delve into the challenges faced by funeral directors in attracting and retaining top-tier talent. Discover innovative solutions and best practices that have proven successful.
- Explore the intricacies of assembling and nurturing dynamic teams within the unique context of funeral service. Uncover the strategies employed by industry leaders to create cohesive and high-performing teams.
- Understand how evolving industry dynamics impact recruitment and employee retention strategies.
Presenters:
Jeff Smith is a third-generation owner. His grandfather founded their first funeral home in 1955, and his father built it to the largest single location in Arkansas. Jeff has expanded upon their success and now owns five funeral homes, three cemeteries, a cremation society, and an on-site crematory. Growing up Jeff worked in the funeral home, but after college and graduate school he started a mortgage company. In 2006 he returned to funeral service and quickly noticed the business had changed dramatically. The challenge of no service, tighter margins, and under-utilized capacity awaited. Jeff has focused on embracing these issues as opportunities and is moving his business ahead with optimism.
Randy Anderson is a first-generation funeral director, is owner of Radney’s Funeral Home in Alexander City, Alabama and Langley Funeral Home in Camp Hill, Alabama. Randy has extensive volunteer experience with NFDA. In addition to serving as an NFDA Board President, he served on the Advocacy Committee, Budget Taskforce, Spokesperson Taskforce, Pursuit of Excellence Work Group, Governance Committee and Convention Education Taskforce. Randy enjoys giving back to his community and has volunteered his time with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, the United Way and the Horseshoe Bend High School Athletic Club. He previously served as a member and chairman of the Tallapoosa County Board of Education and as a member of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Carmalita March-Harris has spent most of her professional and personal life humbly serving in her family’s business. A third-generation funeral director, she was born into a legacy well regarded for funeral and community service. Her responsibilities as Vice President involve managing the day-to-day operations and staff of eight funeral homes, a cemetery and crematory, all located throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Additionally, she strongly supports her family’s nonprofit, the internationally recognized grief and loss center, Roberta’s House.
Carmalita credits her background in marketing, personnel management, and funeral operations with helping the family’s business expand. The brands are March Funeral Homes, Marshall-March Funeral Homes, the March Life Tribute Centers, Johnson-Fosbrink Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Baltimore-Washington Crematory, and King Memorial Park Cemetery & Grand Chapel Mausoleum. Although, the businesses serve mostly African Americans, she also feels humbled to have faded some of the invisible boundaries that still segregate funeral service with locations that serve predominately Eastern Religions and Caucasian clientele.
She has proudly received numerous community acknowledgements for her service but considers her highest reward to be the look of peace and gratitude she receives from families at the conclusion of a well-organized and thoughtful celebration of life for their loved one.
Approved for 1 CE hour by APFSP and by most state and province licensing boards.