Our 2023 Convention Speakers with Course Descriptions

*ALL COURSES ARE APPROVED FOR CE IN PA.*
*ALL NON-CHILD ABUSE COURSES ARE ALSO APPROVED FOR CE IN NJ, & NY*

Keynote Speaker - John O’Leary

Author of the National Bestselling books ON FIRE and IN AWE

As a nine-year-old boy, John was burned on 100% of his body and given less than one percent chance to live. His amazing journey of survival illustrates the incredible power of the human spirit.

Today, John is the author of the National Bestselling books ON FIRE and IN AWE. He’s the host of the top-rated “Live Inspired Podcast.” And he’s an inspirational speaker who has taught millions of people around the world how to Live Inspired. John is a business owner, writer, husband and father of four. Once expected to die. Now, teaching others how to truly live.

"Embrace Your Thoughts, Elevate Your Life" - 1 CE Credit

It’s harder than ever to be a funeral director today. You work longer hours, and the job is more demanding, which can lead to burn out and stress beyond imagination. Some days, it’s easy to feel like the cards are stacked against you, but you can be empowered by your circumstances and overcome them.

In this 60 minute session, you will learn from John the power of shifting your mindset, clarifying the power of your thoughts, and determining the impact of your beliefs, words, actions, and results.

After attending this session, the learner will be able to:

  • Recognize the power of perspective in shaping what they see, how they lead others, and how they live their life.
  • Improve personal accountability for their attitude, actions and outcomes.
  • Better understand their impact within their team and re-ignite their professional passion for the meaningful work we do together.
  • Discover simple strategies for them and their team to step away from the business of work to practice self-care.

    Sponsored By:    

Amanda Marie Eilis King

Funeral Director and Embalmer, B.C. Bailey Funeral Home

Amanda Marie Ellis King, CFSP, is an Embalmer and Funeral Director holding licensure in multiple states. She completed her embalming apprenticeship under Vernie R. Fountain, as well as extensive training in postmortem reconstructive work. In addition to her AAS in Mortuary Science from ACC in Colorado, Amanda holds a B.S. from Skidmore College for Studio Art and Biology, and a Post-Baccalaureate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her approach to Funeral Service is from an artistic standpoint.

She is also an educator who specializes in and teaches reconstructive work and cosmetic application. Her contributions in the field outside of the funeral home include articles, illustrations, and photography for trade journals. Currently she is a Funeral Director and Embalmer for B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, and also does freelance work as AMEK Graphics, as well as being an embalming specialist with Frigid Fluid Company. 

"Restorative Techniques to Keep That Casket Open" - 1.5 CE Credits

Embalmers and Funeral Directors know all too well the Open Casket Challenge – when a decedent’s
loved ones state that they’re going to “wait and see how they look” before deciding to leave the casket
open or not for final viewings. It’s an anxiety-ridden challenge that can be tackled with ease when we
have a broader range of skills at our fingertips to elevate the appearance of decedents to look “more
natural.” This presentation will review several technical skills both during embalming and post-embalming, as well as color considerations and cosmetic application to better help achieve this and succeed at this challenge. Attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence to implement several techniques on both “normal” and “reconstructive” cases to help create a more natural appearance of the decedent – which will be persuasive to their loved ones to have open casket viewings.

Sponsored By: 


Dr. Joseph A. Marsaglia

Dean Emeritus of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

Dr. Joseph A. Marsaglia is currently Dean Emeritus of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. In addition to his administrative duties, he was Chief Operating Officer, taught numerous courses in the curriculum, and supervised the clinical embalming practicum. He holds a Bachelor degree in business, a Master Degree in education, and a doctorate degree in education.

In 2013 and 2014, Dr. Marsaglia served as Dean of the College of Embalming, Restorative Art, and Other Care at the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association University in Memphis, TN. He has presented at numerous funeral directors association meetings and conventions throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New Jersey.

In addition to being a licensed funeral director for 40 years, he is also a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner; Certified Funeral Celebrant: and Certified Crematory Operator. He is a past president of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association (1990), and served as the delegate leader on several professional related exchange trips to the Soviet Union, Middle East, Far East and Europe.

Having completed a disaster management course in1985, Dr. Marsaglia participated in the recovery of the U.S. Air Flight 427 crash in Pittsburgh in 1994, and participated in recovery at Kobe, Japan earthquake in 1995. In 1987 he received certification in eye-enucleation through the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Before entering funeral service, Dr. Marsaglia served four years in the United States Marine Corps achieving the rank of Sergeant, and served on the Philadelphia Police force for 4 and 1/2 years.

"Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting" - 2 CE credits

Sponsored By: 


Michael D. Sharkey

Attorney, Sharkey Law, PLLC

 Michael D. Sharkey is a licensed funeral director and attorney who specializes in litigation and mortuary law.  He serves as General Counsel to the Wisconsin FDA, Minnesota FDA, South Dakota FDA, Washington State FDA, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.  He advises, counsels, and defends businesses in both state and federal court.  His particular expertise is in mortuary law with an emphasis on providing advice so that his clients avoid litigation by utilizing best practices.  Sharkey serves as an Expert Witness for both plaintiffs and defendants in mortuary law cases around the country.  He presents at numerous state and regional conferences for funeral service, cemetery, and cremation organizations.   His favorite legal activity is trouble shooting emergency problems that come up at funeral homes.  Sharkey owns Sharkey Law, PLLC which focuses on mortuary, crematory, cemetery law issues along with buy/sell agreements, generational transfers, and employee buy-ins for funeral homes.  When not practicing law, he likes to cook, ride his Harley, and putter about in his happy little backyard.

"Case Studies from The Dismal Trade" - 1.5 CE Credits

Attorney Sharkey will present a series of case studies in litigation and other cases and controversies that he has handled in his career as a litigator, funeral service expert witness, and mortuary law practitioner.  As case studies, Sharkey will delve into the nuances of the facts and legal issues presented in funeral home, cemetery, and crematory cases that he has been involved with.  Parts of the presentation will be interactive, with Sharkey presenting portions of a case or situation for the attendees to opine on as jurors in order to show how different people can view the same evidence yet come away with different viewpoints as to liability/fault and damages suffered.   Sharkey will also offer advice as how to avoid the very situations presented so that attendees have a better understanding of risk management, the pitfalls of litigation, and can take home meaningful best practices to implement at their firms so that they do not become the next case study in the Dismal Trade.

Sponsored By:  


Nicole Wiedeman

First Call Facilitator, Certified Funeral Celebrant, Dead Ringers

Nicki has served the profession for 33 years and has spent the past 7 years working with Dead Ringers. Dead Ringers has given her the opportunity to bring data driven insight to our phone skills in the death care profession. She has expertise in preneed insurance sales and stellar customer service. She spent 26 years with Forethought, now Global Atlantic. She has conducted sales training to hundreds of licensed insurance agents, funeral directors, cemetery and pet loss professionals over the years. She is often an invited Keynote Speaker for Death Care profession conferences, podcasts and online broadcasts.

Nicki has strong background in strategic business consulting and skilled facilitation. This strategic planning for the profession gives her a unique perspective of the issues death care faces and what makes it great. These skills are utilized as she conducts the on-site training sessions Dead Ringers. Prior to joining Dead Ringers, Nicole spent her last 3 years at Global Atlantic managing an out-bound call center. This experience, along with the many mystery funeral and cemetery calls she has observed and directly made, provides what it takes to know a good call from a dismal call. Her vision is to assist death care organizations in creating meaningful connections when clients make that first call.

"Death Care Wake-Up Call: Do We Really Have Them At Hello?" - 2 CE Credits

This session will not only focus on the importance of phone skills excellence, but data collected will be shared that illustrates the specific areas we need improvement. Americans are so “tied” to our communication devices. The art of a good conversation is getting lost with texts and social media. We will work together to clear out the clutter and create meaningful PHONE discussions with our client families.

In this interactive session we cover will:

  • How we are losing business to bad phone etiquette
  • What missed opportunities in phone discussions mean to our funeral home
  • Building trust right off the bat on the phone with clients
  • Tips and techniques to get beyond the "pricing discussion"
  • The "Art of the Hold and Transfer"
  • ...and most importantly, what makes a GREAT call.

Sponsored By: