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Published by GFD
The Digging Deep podcast by GFD is created for time-pressed bereavement professionals, who want the knowledge and inspiration they need to navigate a complex and evolving sector.
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Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
Recorded at GFD’s 65th Annual General Meeting, Digging Deep host and GFD’s President and CEO, Heather Kiteley, sat down with a panel of four dynamic voices from the next generation of deathcare professionals to discuss the future of the sector. Featuring panel guests Calvin Carter (Dignity Memorial), Meghan Henning (Lakefield Cemetery & Crematorium), Jimmy Cardinal (Cardinal Funeral Home), and Andrew Guthier (Merritt Funeral Home). Listen to Part 1 of the conversation on Digging Deep! Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Behind every beautiful cemetery is a team of dedicated people committed to serving families and preserving memories. In episode 39 of Digging Deep, GFD’s President & CEO Heather Kiteley is joined by Christina Furtado-Burke from Woodlawn Memorial Park in Guelph, Ontario, to explore what life behind the cemetery really looks like. From everyday responsibilities to meaningful connections with families, the conversation highlights the heart, purpose, and people behind the profession. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
What happens when we begin to see cemeteries as more than a place of remembrance? In episode 38 of Digging Deep, GFD’s president & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Nick McCarthy, Director of Marketing, Communication and Community Outreach at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario, to discuss how cemeteries can become welcoming spaces that bring communities together. Their conversation explores innovative outreach, meaningful engagement and the evolving role of cemeteries in preserving history while creating opportunities for connection. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Honour. Duty. Care. In episode 37 of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with Allan Cole, Owner and President of MacKinnon & Bowes LTD., about repatriation and military farewells, sharing powerful stories behind these final journeys. A deeply moving conversation. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada
What does the future of deathcare look like? In episode 36 of Digging Deep, President & CEO of GFD and FSAC Board Member Heather Kiteley connects with Pam Moss, Executive Director of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), to discuss FSAC’s vision and the path forward for the profession. A must-listen for those shaping what comes next. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
The funeral profession is evolving – fast! In episode 35 of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Brett Denning, Owner and Funeral Director of Denning Funeral Homes, to discuss the changing landscape of the funeral sector and what it means for the future. Insightful, relevant, and forward-looking. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Why do final resting places matter so deeply? In this episode of Digging Deep, President & CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Marc Bisson, Managing Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, to discuss the lasting significance of final resting places. Together, they explore how these spaces provide comfort, connection, and a sense of legacy for families navigating loss. From evolving preferences to the emotional significance of places, this conversation offers a meaningful perspective for professionals who support families every day. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Legacy is not just what we inherit; it is what we build. In episode 33 of Digging Deep, GFD’s President and CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with the President of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sharon McGarry. They talk about leadership, succession, and shaping the future of funeral service. Sharon’s story is a compelling reminder of how deeply family, legacy, and innovation can intertwine within funeral service. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada
Part Two is Here. In this continuation of our Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) 2025 panel discussion led by GFD’s President and CEO Heather Kiteley, featuring Patrick Curry, Becky Steckly, and Ryan McLane. This episode challenges us to understand Canadians' thought processes and their views on death. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada
What Canadians think about death and what deathcare professionals assume are not always aligned. In episode 31 of Digging Deep, President and CEO Heather Kiteley hosts a dynamic panel discussion recorded at the 2025 Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) conference. Panellists Patrick Curry, Rebecca Steckly, and Ryan McLane explore the realities behind consumer attitudes toward death and funeral planning. This is part one of a two-part conversation series that challenges assumptions and encourages deeper discussion. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada
Is funeral service evolving the same way across Canada? In episode 30 of Digging Deep, President and CEO Heather Kiteley sits down with Patrick Curry, President of C.L. Curry Funeral Services Ltd. in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to explore how trends differ between Ontario and Nova Scotia. From cremation to personalization expectations, regional nuances matter. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada
On March 11th, we recognize and celebrate the dedication of funeral professionals across the country on National Funeral Directors Day. To honour this day, we are releasing a special bonus episode of the Digging Deep podcast, featuring our President and CEO, Heather Kiteley, reading a heartfelt “Love Letter” to the sector. This message is a tribute to the compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment shown by funeral directors every day as they support families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Take a moment to listen to this special message of appreciation. Stay Connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast episode highlights and more. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada/?viewAsMember=true
It is time to celebrate the impact of the deathcare sector. In episode 29 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by Bradd Tuck, Executive Director of the British Columbia Funeral Association (BCFA), to discuss the importance of positive perception, advocacy, and professional pride within the sector. This episode shines a light on the meaningful work being done every day and why it matters. An inspiring and necessary conversation. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfdcanada/?viewAsMember=true
Every community has its own way of honouring life. In episode 28 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by Chris Clements, Owner of Beaverlodge Funeral Service in Beaverlodge, Alberta, to discuss funeral customs and rites of passage in Alberta. This episode highlights how tradition, culture, and community shape meaningful service and why understanding regional perspectives matters in deathcare. A thoughtful and grounded conversation. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. LinkedIn
The future of deathcare does not stop at borders. In episode 27 of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with Jayson Gordon, President of Service Corporation International Canada, about the trends shaping the deathcare sector across North America. From evolving consumer needs to sector-wide transformation, the conversation offers a strategic look at where the sector is headed and how professionals can stay ahead. Insightful. Timely. Essential listening. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Behind every profession is a story worth telling. In episode #26 of Digging Deep, Heather Kiteley, President and CEO of GFD, is joined by David Root, Alberta Funeral Service Association (AFSA) Past-President and General Manager at Pierson’s Funeral Service in Calgary, Alberta, for an honest and insightful conversation about a life dedicated to funeral service. From leadership and legacy to the deep sense of responsibility that comes with serving families, this episode sheds light on the human side of the profession built on compassion, integrity and purpose. A powerful reminder of why this work matters. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more.
Did you know many Canadians are unaware of the true cost of deathcare? In our latest episode of Digging Deep, host President and CEO Heather Kiteley speaks with guest Daniel Baxter, Owner and Funeral Director of Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel in British Columbia, Canada. They explore findings that reveal surprising gaps in awareness and what professionals can do to educate, empower, and prepare families for the financial realities of final arrangements. A must listen for anyone passionate about advancing the profession through transparency and education. Stay connected! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
What separates good preneed planning from great? Strategy, trust, and timing. In this episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with Heather Harper, Preneed Manager and Funeral Director at Serenity Funeral Service in Edmonton, Alberta. They uncover proven strategies that empower professionals to help families feel confident about planning ahead. Tune in for actionable insights to elevate your approach. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
The intersection of compassion and sustainability continues to shape the future of funeral service. In this episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley speaks with President, Licensed Funeral Director, and Embalmer at H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Homes and Crematoriums Ltd. in Nova Scotia, Canada, Andrew Huskilson. They dive into the evolving world of preneed. They discuss how professionals can support families through thoughtful planning while ensuring long-term business success. Insights, strategies and stories from those doing the best all in one episode. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
Togetherness and reflection. In this heartfelt episode of Digging Deep, President and CEO of GFD Heather Kiteley explores how families and professionals honour loved ones through meaningful holiday traditions and memorials with Advanced Planning Director, Heather Jackson from James Reid Funeral Home in Kingston, Ontario. Discover stories of remembrance that bring comfort, connection, and community during the most emotional time in a family’s life. Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest podcast, episode highlights, and more. GFD of Canada | LinkedIn
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Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026.
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