6 Feet Ahead Podcast
6 Feet Ahead is a podcast for funeral home owners and directors who want to grow their business and stay ahead of the curve. Each episode features real conversations with experts in funeral service, marketing, and technology. We cover what’s working right now from getting more calls to making better use of digital tools. If you run a funeral home and want practical tips to serve more families and grow your business, this channel is for you. ＞ New episodes every month ＞ Easy-to-follow advice ＞ Real stories from real professionals Subscribe to stay one step (or six feet) ahead!
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Episodes
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
In this episode of Six Feet Ahead, Oscar Guerrero speaks with Lanae Strovers, funeral director, lead NFDA Arranger Training instructor, and founder of The Final Salute. A first-generation funeral professional with a bold vision, Lanae shares how a deeply personal loss led her into the profession—and how she's been transforming it ever since.
From turning funeral homes into baseball fields to organizing services for unclaimed veterans, Lanae brings innovation, empathy, and creativity into every part of her work. We explore how she handles burnout, inspires the next generation of funeral directors, and why every family deserves a service that truly honors their loved one.
This one is packed with insight, heart, and a fresh perspective on what funeral service can and should look like.
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Joseph “Joe” Pray, a fifth-generation funeral director from Charlotte, Michigan, who has been leading Pray Funeral Home with a powerful blend of tradition and creativity.
With over 40 years in the profession, Joe shares how he became a self-described “creationeer,” helping families celebrate life in personal and unforgettable ways—from theatrical funerals and purple caskets to Star Trek-themed services and flyovers. He also discusses the role of grief, the importance of community involvement, how technology (including AI) is changing funeral service, and what it means to carry forward a 100-year family legacy.
Whether you are in the funeral industry, navigating grief, or just curious about how end-of-life experiences are evolving—this conversation will give you fresh perspective.
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
In this episode of Six Feet Ahead, Oscar Guerrero sits down with Jennifer Lares—licensed funeral director, U.S. Navy veteran, and founder of Mulling Mortician. From her service in mortuary affairs to starting a consulting firm dedicated to training the next generation of funeral professionals, Jennifer brings unmatched experience and heart to the table.
We dive deep into what funeral homes are getting wrong (and right), how military precision shaped her approach, the staffing crisis, upcoming industry shifts, and why education—not just for funeral directors, but for the public—matters now more than ever.
If you’re ready to hear from someone who’s seen it all and is building what comes next, this one’s for you.
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
In this episode of 6 Feet Ahead, we’re joined by Landon Bickley, VP of Customer Experience at Tukios, a leading funeral home tech provider. With experience helping over 900 funeral homes modernize their websites, Landon breaks down what it really takes to thrive in today’s digital-first world.
You’ll learn:
How to overcome resistance to tech adoption
The #1 mistake funeral homes make with domain ownership
Creative ways to turn satisfied families into raving fans
Tools to simplify operations, sales, and customer communication
The power of photos, obituaries, and video storytelling
How AI and online arrangers are shaping the future of deathcare
If you're looking to grow your funeral home’s presence, build trust with Gen X families, and future-proof your operations—this one’s for you.
🔗 Learn more at tukios.com