Episode #101: Dr. Lucia Dickinson: Recruitment Problem or Retention Crisis?

Is the funeral profession actually facing a labor shortage, or is it facing a reality check? Despite mortuary school enrollments increasing by over 22%, funeral homes nationwide are constantly struggling to keep staff. On this episode of A Brush with Death, Gabe Schauf sits down with educator and funeral director Dr. Lucia Dickinson to explore the structural misalignments driving the retention crisis. Gabe and Lucia look past outdated assumptions about work ethic and tackle the uncomfortable truths behind the data: the gap between modern living expenses and entry-level compensation, the hesitation to invest in human capital, and why the outdated "Ideal Worker" model is failing a shifting demographic. Discover actionable strategies for modernizing compensation, scheduling, and workplace culture to stop the revolving door at your firm.