The Future of Deathcare Summit.

Chicago
October 25th 2025

FDCS 2025 Home

Leading Experts in the Death Care & End-of-Life Industry

The following individuals represent a cross-section of the most respected professionals in the evolving field of death care, grief support, and end-of-life planning. With decades of combined experience, they are shaping the future of how we honor life, support families, and advance the profession.

Ashlinn Goodman

Chris Cruger

Dr. Amy Schiffman

Michael Schimmel

George Owens

Jess Wakefield

Gabe Schauf

Jeff Zealley

Jessica Koth

Katey Houston

Robert Gaskill

Ashlinn Goodman

Ashlinn Goodman is a nationally recognized cemetery consultant, speaker, writer, and cemetery content creator dedicated to helping cemetery professionals grow with purpose and confidence. With experience in pre-need sales, team development, and strategic coaching, she brings a fresh yet grounded approach to serving families and improving performance. Ashlinn is known for delivering insightful, practical trainings that blend service selling with strong sales results.

Chris Cruger

Chris Cruger, CEO of The Foresight Companies, began his career in funeral service more than 25 years ago as a financial analyst at SCI where he quickly rose up the ranks. Becoming vice president of business development. One of the foremost authorities in the funeral and cemetery industry, he provides an array of services to the profession as the CEO of The Foresight Companies, including buying and selling firms, valuation services, business financing, succession and advisory services and more.

Dr. Amy Schiffman

Dr. Amy Schiffman, a Hospice Care Expert, is the co-host of the podcast “Mastering Medicare” and is one of the nation’s leading experts in geriatrics and palliative/hospice care. She is the chief medical officer for a human services agency and oversees their hospice agency, private duty agency and a Holocaust survivor program. A board-certified emergency medicine physician, she completed her emergency medicine residency at the George Washington University School of Medicine and has established herself as one of the nation’s leading experts in geriatrics and palliative/hospice care

Michael Schimmel

Michael Schimmel is the founder and CEO of Sympathy Brands, and its family of brands including Cemetery.com, eCondolence and shiva.com. He is a leading expert for death-care and end-of-life professionals, helping bring industry knowledge to clients interested in bridging technology, business efficiencies, and consumer expectations. Prior to founding Sympathy Brands, Michael was a corporate and intellectual property attorney advising entrepreneurs and corporations on operational and financial matters related to technology, professional services, and e-commerce business strategies.

George Owens

With 25+ years in high-performance environments, George specializes in identifying challenges, developing information solutions, and driving growth. Before co-founding Fortitude, he was a Managing Director at a Fortune 1000 services firm, improving location performance and operations. He spent over a decade at J.D. Power, leading major customer satisfaction studies. Known for his strategic vision and operational insight, George has guided teams through complex transformations. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio School and teaches at Cal Lutheran’s School of Management.

Jess Wakefield

Jess Wakefield is a nationally recognized funeral director, embalmer, educator, and end-of-life advocate with over 15 years of experience across the West Coast. A Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), she has led responses to mass casualty events, advanced sustainable practices, and served as President of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association during the COVID-19 crisis. She serves on the Cañada College Funeral Services Advisory Board, supports Donate Life America, and was named a 2022 LWTech Distinguished Alumna. With degrees in Funeral Service Education and Environmental Science, Jess brings compassionate, heart-centered leadership to every aspect of end-of-life care, guiding others through life’s most difficult moments with grace and clarity.

Gabe Schauf

Gabe Schauf is a driven and creative professional with over 10 years of experience in the funeral industry, combining service, marketing, and event coordination to deliver impactful results. Raised on a family dairy farm and a U.S. military veteran, Gabe thrives in high-pressure environments and brings strong leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills. He is passionate about continuous learning, innovation, and exceeding expectations.

Jeff Zealley

Jeff Zealley is a licensed funeral director with over three decades of experience across multiple states and currently serves on the Utah Board of Funeral Service. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a master’s in bioethics from The Ohio State University. Jeff directs the Mortuary Science Program at Salt Lake Community College and volunteers with local grief support groups. A longtime DMORT member, he has responded to several national disaster events. Passionate about funeral history and global practices, Jeff is also an avid traveler, WWII enthusiast, and dedicated “tombstone tourist".

Jessica Koth

Jessica Koth is the Director of Public Relations for the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), where she leads media and public relations efforts to advance the association’s mission and educate consumers on the value of meaningful memorialization. With over 25 years of experience in PR, including 18 with NFDA, she also serves as editor of the NFDA Bulletin, manages the Pursuit of Excellence program, and contributes regularly to The Director magazine. A Marquette University journalism graduate, Jessica previously worked with nonprofit, healthcare, and hospitality clients at leading PR agencies.

Katey Houston

Katey Houston is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Washington State and the UK. At Return Home, she supports families through the terramation process and leads industry education and outreach. A certified celebrant and board member of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association, Katey is dedicated to inclusive, values-driven deathcare. “Knowing your last act on earth can be one that heals is empowering.”

Robert Gaskill

Rob Gaskill is a dedicated professional with over 40 years of experience in funeral service, including more than 20 years serving local communities. Rob is known for his compassion, integrity, and deep commitment to supporting families with personalized, respectful care. He leads with empathy and professionalism, earning the trust of those he serves and mentoring colleagues along the way. Rob’s passion for helping others continues to guide his work and strengthen the bonds within the community.

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The Future of Deathcare Summit

FSCS 2025 Home

Location: McCormick Place Convention Center; Chicago, IL

Date: October 25th, 2025

Leading Experts in the Death Care & End-of-Life Industry

The following individuals represent a cross-section of the most respected professionals in the evolving field of death care, grief support, and end-of-life planning. With decades of combined experience, they are shaping the future of how we honor life, support families, and advance the profession.