The New Guard: Shelby Ogozaly on Youth and Leadership in Funeral Service

In this episode of On the Clock, Tony Russo sits down with Shelby Ogozaly, a first-generation funeral director and NFDA at-large candidate. As part of a notably younger wave of leadership in deathcare, Shelby discusses her journey from being the youngest female president of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association to running for a national board position. She shares her vision for a more progressive future that respects tradition while embracing modern memorialization and professional advocacy.Join us for more insights on industry trends, from rising cremation rates to the new era of professional funeral advocacy.Key Topics Covered* The Rise of Young Leadership: Why Shelby chose to get involved early in her career rather than waiting for decades of experience.* Reimagining Cremation: How funeral directors can educate families on the vast options for memorialization, visitations, and personalized services even when choosing cremation.* The Future of the Industry: A look at the shifting landscape of funeral service, including the projected rise in cremation rates and the trend of downsizing or selling properties.* Advocacy and Representation: Shelby’s goals for the NFDA, focusing on listening to the membership to drive education and support for both owners and non-owners.* Women in Power: The shift toward more female representation in executive death care roles and the impact of mentors like Ellen Wynn McBrayer. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe