エピソード

  • Movie Night at the Mortuary: How Films Turn Funeral Homes into Community Hubs

    Movie Night at the Mortuary: How Films Turn Funeral Homes into Community Hubs
    2026/06/26
    Death Care Marketing Show — Episode 3 Host Mary Barnett sits down with Gail Rubin, CT — certified thanatologist and pioneer of the Death Cafe movement — on how funeral homes can use storytelling and cinema to lower people's emotional guard, build real community trust, and grow pre-need sales without ever running a hard pitch. A few lines that stuck with us "The mortality rate is holding steady at 100%." Funeral directors are "last responders" — catching people as they fall through their darkest days. Get people into the funeral home for non-funeral events and the whole building stops feeling intimidating. The "POPCORN" outreach model P — Pick the right film: start with a comedy so people relax. O — Open with purpose: say why you're hosting, introduce your staff. P — Prompt discussion: use the film's themes to ask about end-of-life wishes. C — Connect it to planning: tie the on-screen story to real preparation. O — Offer next steps: resources and follow-up, never a hard sell. R — Repeat consistently: monthly or quarterly normalizes it. N — Normalize the conversation: humor and shared experience do the heavy lifting. Licensing & logistics (don't skip this) Get a license. Never screen a film publicly without one — a one-time license for a named title, or a blanket MPLC license for ongoing, un-named screenings. Partner with local experts. Hospice workers, estate attorneys, and financial planners will co-host and market to their own lists. Pre-screen everything for profanity or themes that won't fit your community. Want a fast, low-risk first event? Host a one-time "Mortality Movie Night" or a small Death Cafe in your reception center. Short on time? Show a single TV episode (Mary Tyler Moore's "Chuckles Bites the Dust") and discuss. The "Before I Die" festival A community event that opens up mortality and end-of-life planning in a non-threatening way — often hosted at funeral homes or cemeteries to build trust. Mixed activities: speakers, screenings, panels, art — even live music. Resource fair ("Death Is Not a Dirty Word") with doulas, hospice, estate attorneys, and directors. Behind-the-scenes access that demystifies the industry. Proven results: one day at Green Lawn in Bakersfield drove $100,000+ in pre-need; a church event drew 300+ attendees. More at BeforeIDieFestivals.com . Featured books & offers 98.6 Mortality Movies to See Before You Die — Gail's film guide with discussion questions. A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die — her first book, creative planning with a light touch. Film-clip presentations — hire Gail to lead a film-clip session at your facility. "Talking about sex won't make you pregnant; talking about funerals won't make you dead." — Gail Rubin Guest & resources Guest: Gail Rubin, CT — AGoodGoodbye.com Festivals: BeforeIDieFestivals.com Recommended viewing: Departures (Japan, 2008) Be on the show / work with Mary Apply to guest or browse episodes: deathcaremarketingshow.com Free discovery call: deathcaremarketingshow.com/GuestDiscoveryCall
    続きを読む 一部表示
    48 分
  • The Funeral Homes That Teach… Win! How Community Education Builds Trust Before the Call Comes In

    The Funeral Homes That Teach… Win! How Community Education Builds Trust Before the Call Comes In
    2026/05/28
    Most funeral homes wait for the phone to ring. But the funeral homes that TEACH their communities? They win long before the call ever comes in. In this episode of The Deathcare Marketing Show, Mary Barnett sits down with Rick Craig, founder of the When It’s Time® program, to talk about why community education is one of the most underused marketing strategies in funeral service. They discuss: * How teaching builds trust before there’s a death * Why educational outreach converts better than ads * How to position your funeral home as a community resource * What most funeral homes get wrong about “community engagement” * How to start small without overwhelming your team If you want families to think of you before they need you, this episode is for you. My Guest Rick Craig, is the founder of the When It’s Time® program, a nationally recognized community outreach model designed to help funeral homes build trust through education before the need arises. Rick has spent years helping funeral professionals position themselves as trusted community resources — not just service providers. His approach focuses on visibility, relationship-building, and creating meaningful conversations that naturally lead to pre-need awareness and long-term loyalty. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BNrt1PyeboMuJcarMI0B-hBJEIopn2TA7FPOzG_Buqs/edit?usp=sharing
    続きを読む 一部表示
    19 分
  • You Can’t Scale Burnout: The Real Reason Funeral Homes Struggle with Retention

    You Can’t Scale Burnout: The Real Reason Funeral Homes Struggle with Retention
    2026/05/28
    Recruiting and retention aren’t “HR problems,” they are marketing problems because your employer brand determines whether great people stay long enough to deliver the experience families count on. In this episode, Lisa Baue shares what works, what doesn’t, and practical leadership moves funeral home owners can implement immediately—especially as women comprise a growing majority of mortuary science graduates. My Guest is Lisa Baue, third-generation funeral director, in the profession since 1979, and former President and CEO of Baue Funeral Homes, Crematory & Cemetery for 38 years and the Founder of “Funeral Women Lead” We’re talking recruiting, retention, and why Employee Empowerment IS marketing—plus practical leadership moves you can use right now. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YM9LOovyqIvNNAGGOCTpz12la6i80eMLkTxrH6c283E/edit?usp=sharing
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分