In this episode of On the Clock, Tony Russo interviews National Funeral Directors Association Secretary Candidate Carlton Maye Jr. Maye discusses his philosophy of service and how his background as an educator informs his vision for the association’s future.
Professional Background
Current Board Service: Maye has served as an at-large representative on the NFDA board for the past two years.
Educational Role: He is a mortuary science educator for Pierce Mortuary Colleges and has nearly 15 years of experience in higher education.
Clinical Experience: He serves as a general partner running a funeral home in Georgia.
Key Discussion Points
Secretary Role: Maye views the position of secretary as the “keeper of information,” responsible for ensuring accurate record-keeping and the timely dissemination of knowledge to members.
Association Inclusivity: He highlights the board’s recent rebranding of its core values to emphasize that the NFDA is an “Association of Funeral Service for all,” including students, non-licensed staff, and international members.
The Value of Advocacy: Maye emphasizes the importance of the NFDA Advocacy Summit, noting how impactful it is for funeral professionals to meet legislators in person and see their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
Evolving Education: Discussing the future of funeral service education, Maye stresses the need to remain open-minded and responsive to industry trends, such as human composting (natural organic reduction).
Diverse Career Paths: He notes that the industry has moved beyond the “cookie-cutter” roles of the past, with specialized paths now available in cremation arrangement, cemetery liaison roles, and family ambassadorship.
