General & Concurrent Sessions

In order of appearance during the Convention Schedule

General Session: Shed or Your Funeral Home is Dead: How to Stay Alive, Thrive and Navigate the Future | 2 CEUs
Speaker: Kathy Dempsey

Join us for an insightful session aimed at assisting funeral home directors in adapting to the evolving landscape of the industry. Learn strategies to address emerging trends. Are you prepared when more and more people are bypassing funeral homes? Discover innovative approaches to serve diverse clientele and provide meaningful experiences. Gain practical insights into pre-planning services, virtual memorials, live funerals, and aftercare support. This session offers valuable knowledge and tools to thrive amidst industry changes. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your funeral home's position in this dynamic service sector. 

This interactive session is packed with practical strategies for immediate implementation! Leave empowered to SHED for Success™ and be able to:

• Embrace the concept of shedding and why it is a critical skill in navigating the future of the funeral home profession.
• Apply the 3 foundational R’s of shedding to stay positive, juggle multiple priorities and meet the changing needs of clientele.
• Understand the emerging trends and what the innovative strategies are to strengthen your funeral homes position.
• Overcome the number one barrier in leading and managing end of life issues.
• Increase your effectiveness by 75% by removing the biggest obstacles to successfully navigating the future of your profession.

General Session: HUH, Can You Hear Me Now? Understanding the Importance of Strategic Listening in All Conversations | 1 CEU
Speaker: Jan Hargrave

According to the Harvard Business Review, the busy executive spends 80% of his time listening to people and still doesn’t hear half of what is said.  Since effective communication consists of reception, interpretation and understanding of messages, learning to listen in a strategic manner is absolutely essential for successful in-person or virtual conversations. 

1. Discover the critical elements of effective communication (hearing vs. listening). 
2. Understand the listening process (sender/receiver) and its relationship to effective leadership.
3. Develop key listening skills that aid in virtual communication effectiveness.
4. Distinguish between factual and emotional listening (right/left brain information processing).
5. Recognize how good listening habits are the foundation for building meaningful relationships.
6. Identify how tone of voice, eye contact, facial expressions, body angle, arm and leg positions, and general body language reveal secrets of the true message.
7. Employ the 3 Listening Rules:  STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN!  Stop (quit talking), Look (face the speaker), and Listen (engage right and left brain to analyze information)!

General Session: Facing Addiction in America | 1 CEU
Speaker: Brandon Novak

The growing drug epidemic across the nation is tearing families apart as the number of overdose deaths rises. The CDC has recently reported that opioids killed more than 107,000 people in 2023. Although addiction is a disease that can affect anyone, social stigma associated with drug overdose deaths adds to the burden of grief for the family and friends left behind.  As funeral directors support these grieving families, grief resources are few and far between. This program will identify specific ways funeral directors can help those.

Assessment and Treatment of Motor Vehicle Accidents and Gunshot Wounds of the Head | 2 CEUs
Speaker: Dominick Astorino

No matter what your experience level or call volume is traumatic deaths will occur and you will be called upon. Oftentimes, the surviving family will have a desire to see their loved one and you will be asked if that is possible. This lecture will examine the most common causes of traumatic death through the lens of forensic medicine to point out what you can expect and how you can best approach these difficult cases. Using a step-by-step approach supported with photo documentation discussions will be had about specific causes of death including gunshots to the head caused by handguns and shotguns, blunt force head injury caused automobile and motorcycle accidents, sharp force injuries caused by acts of violence, and crushing head injuries.

Embracing the New Employee: Strategies for Recruitment and Interviewing | 2 CEUs
Speaker: Leili McMurrough

The workforce is changing fast. How can you attract and retain the best employees? The new employee is challenging how we have traditionally hired and managed funeral professionals. Let’s discuss how to effectively communicate and integrate the new funeral director into the workplace. 

During this interactive session we'll review current generational shifts in the workforce and together discuss recruitment strategies and onboarding techniques. We'll go over case studies of successful stories from within and outside of the funeral industry. 

FTC Compliance and Business Law | 2 CEUs
Speaker: Jennifer Graziano

To recap the components of the funeral rule along with proposed legislative changes and applying them all to our everyday business practices. The course will examine the history of the rule along with it’s legislative developments. It will further examine negative implications and undue burdens placed upon the industry, as well as negative press that has stemmed from the rule. The goal is to provide an education along with elicit constructive dialogue to further help our profession.

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Roundtable Discussion 
Facilitated by Mark J. Nolan, Nolan Funeral Home, Inc.

This session will review and build on the conversation regarding Employee Retention which was started at the 2023 Convention. Geared for active discussion between owners and managers, you’re invited to this roundtable as a newcomer or returning participant. Bring your ideas and be ready to share real-world managerial issues such as salaries, benefits, best practices, daily operation and long-term goals. Let’s work smarter to keep our businesses and the industry strong for the future. Reach out with any questions or concerns before convention.

Document and Form Compliance | 2 Law CEUs
Speaker: Thomas Fuller

This presentation will cover various aspects of compliance for New York State documents and forms. 

The Power of Meta Platforms: Elevating Funeral Home Visibility | 1 CEU
Speaker: Bill Johnston

In today's digital age, Meta Platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have become pivotal in shaping public discourse, much like newspapers did in the past. These platforms feature daily stories, community events, announcements, and personalized ads—elements once exclusive to print media. This shift is particularly crucial for funeral homes, as print circulation declines and digital engagement rises.

This presentation will delve into the strategic use of Meta Platforms to enhance the visibility and relevance of funeral homes within their communities. Participants will discover how to create compelling content that engages their audience, employing “The Informative Advertising Style.” This approach focuses on educational, informational content enhanced by authentic imagery of real people, fostering a genuine connection. Additionally, the session will cover audience segmentation, geofencing, strategic ad placements, and the utilization of Meta's latest tools for form creation and lead generation.

The session will address common hesitations and roadblocks funeral homes face with social media and demonstrate how embracing these platforms can transform their outreach and customer engagement. By understanding the nuances of Meta Platforms, funeral directors can effectively inform and engage potential clients about services like pre-need arrangements and cremation options, significantly expanding their reach and impact within the community.

Supporting Bereaved Families and Caring for Yourself | 1 CEU
Speaker: Eileen Clinton

Based on her 2024 released book, What a Wonderful World: Reflections of love, loss, and hope, Eileen Clinton shares her personal story of loss intertwined with her professional work with grieving families. Clinton goes beyond the basic grief theories drawing upon her years of experience in funeral service, hospice, and academia. During her presentation, attendees will be provided with concrete strategies for supporting the bereaved as well as themselves. Clinton delves into the important but often unspoken topic of how funeral directors cope with personal loss. Like many professionals, the losses that funeral directors experience may be minimized or disregarded, and become disenfranchised losses.    

In the past year, Ms. Clinton has been lecturing to community groups, including funeral homes, churches, hospitals, colleges, and at retreats. Her book, What a Wonderful World, has been described by many as inspirational and has been well received by hundreds of readers. 

General Session: AI: Overcoming the Hype and Discovering the Opportunity | 1 CEU
Speaker: Jeff Butler

In 1954, a Georgetown-IBM team predicted that language translation programs would be perfected within five years. Sixty years later, we’re still working on it. In 1965, Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon claimed that machines would soon handle any work a person could do within twenty years. These ambitious predictions highlight the enormous promise of artificial intelligence—often oversold, rarely fully realized, fueling the inevitable AI hype. Delve into the dynamic landscape of Artificial Intelligence as we navigate through the buzz and uncover the legitimate opportunities.

• Clarity Amidst the Hype: Gain a clear understanding of the current state of AI by learning about the ‘Hype Curve’ and distinguish between exaggerated claims and genuine opportunities, empowering you to make informed decisions for your business.
• Future-Proofing Strategies: Identify key technological milestones essential for unlocking AI's potential, positioning your organization for long-term success amid constant technological disruption.
• Strategic Insights: Acquire strategic insights into up-to-date AI case studies and how they can be practically applied to enhance business processes, drive innovation, and gain a competitive edge in your industry.

General Session: The “F” Words of Funeral Services | 1 CEU
Speaker: Justin Zabor

This session will address the seven “F-Words” that professionals must focus on for success; 7. Finances 6. Fulfillment 5. Forever Learning 4. Forgiveness 3. Friendship 2. Flexibility 1. Family Relationships. Justin will illustrate these critical points using humor and stories from his personal and professional experiences. Participants will walk away with practical ideas, helpful tips, and valuable insights on how to be more successful both personally and professionally.

* As of April 1, 2025; subject to change.