Women in Funeral Service Events
Upcoming Events
A Legacy of Your Own: Women Acquiring Funeral Homes
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Webinar - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CDT
Thanks to the program
sponsor 
This webinar is designed to empower women in the funeral industry who are ready to take the next step in their careers by becoming business owners or are interested in understanding how to acquire a business in the future. With a growing number of women entering the field and a significant number of funeral homeowners nearing retirement age, there exists a unique opportunity for women to acquire and lead successful funeral homes. This webinar will provide valuable insights, practical advice, and essential resources to help women navigate the process of acquiring a funeral home. We will explore the unique qualities that make women well-suited for business ownership, the abundant opportunities within the industry, and the steps involved in a successful acquisition.
Speaker Bio:
Jordan Coleman serves as a dedicated loan officer on the funeral home and cemetery team at Live Oak Bank, where she is committed to empowering funeral home business owners to achieve their dreams. A proud graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in financial services, Jordan launched her career at Live Oak in 2016 as a loan closing specialist. This role provided her with invaluable experience, as she collaborated with over thirteen industries nationwide, particularly gaining deep insights into the funeral home sector. With extensive experience in analyzing funeral home financials and business transactions, Jordan has become an expert in closing and financing within the industry. She is passionate about guiding her clients through the loan process, ensuring they feel supported and empowered every step of the way. Her mission is to build strong, lasting relationships with small business owners, helping them fulfill their aspirations and enhance the services they provide to their communities.
The Purpose Formula: Leadership, Culture, and Success for Women in the Funeral Profession
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Webinar - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT
Thanks to the program
sponsor 
More women are entering the funeral profession than ever before and providing clear paths to leadership and environments where they can thrive will be essential. In this session, learn how to leverage your purpose and values to attract top talent. Then, using real-world examples and actionable strategies, discover how to retain this talent through a workplace that fosters support, belonging, and opportunities for advancement. By clarifying your purpose and building a framework for professional growth, you can transform your workplace culture into a competitive advantage—boosting engagement and long-term success for your business.
Speaker Bio:
Kelly Kohut’s talent for business growth blends perfectly with her passion for helping funeral homes connect with more families through preneed. With a degree in marketing and an MBA, Kelly honed her sales and marketing skills in the healthcare industry before deciding to pursue a career with a purpose-driven company. She serves as Regional Vice President in Partnership Development at Precoa, where her incredible leadership and skill at cross-functional problem solving make her a key member of every team she is a part of.
Emotional Intelligence: The Secret to Less Stress and Burnout
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Webinar - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT
Thanks to the program
sponsor 
Stress has become an omnipresent issue in modern life, especially in high-stress professions. Recent statistics show that 80% of U.S. workers are experiencing stress on the job (American Institute of Stress, 2024), and work stress is the second top cause of stress in America (American Psychological Association, 2017). While many people first think of first responders when it comes to stressful professions, our last responders are another profession that is particularly prone to high levels of stress which can lead to a significant impact on mental health, physical well-being, and overall life satisfaction. In recent years, the conversation surrounding stress has shifted toward its long-term consequences, including burnout, anxiety, and depression. A promising strategy to mitigate these effects is enhancing emotional intelligence (EI) which is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence one's own emotions and the emotions of others.
Speaker: Dr. Melanie Carr, Director of Sales Development, Funeral Directors Life
Measuring Success: How You Can Demonstrate ROI on Investments for the Future
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Webinar - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CST
Thanks to the program
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Every decision you make as a leader can shape your firm’s future. Whether you’re investing in new technology, upgrading facilities, growing your team, or fostering a strong internal culture, proving the value of these investments can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. So, how do you demonstrate that today’s spending will pay off tomorrow? In "Measuring Success: How You Can Demonstrate ROI on Investments for the Future," you’ll learn how to build a clear, practical business case for any investment—whether it’s new software, leadership programs, or team-building initiatives. This session is designed to equip women leaders with the tools they need to demonstrate the true value of these investments and tie them directly to financial performance and long-term growth.
Speaker: Courtney Gould Miller