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Jeff Holcomb of Continuing Vision Brings Passion to Continuing Education
As a funeral professional, it can be challenging to earn all the continuing education credits you need to remain in good standing – especially at an affordable price.
Jeff Holcomb, a longtime funeral director, decided to do something about that problem when he started Continuing Vision, which has been providing CEU opportunities to funeral professionals for almost 20 years.
Ring Ring Marketing recently caught up with Holcomb to learn more about what his company offers and why he’s so passionate about helping his fellow funeral professionals.
You’re the founder of Continuing Vision – why did you start the company?
Continuing Vision was created to make continuing education for New York funeral directors easy, accessible, and open to all.
I welcomed professionals from every background — whether they belonged to an association or not — to provide convenient, relevant learning opportunities designed to fit their schedule. It was to be inclusive to all.
The mission was simple: help funeral directors grow their skills and serve families better, in a supportive and inclusive environment.
What services does Continuing Vision provide?
Continuing Vision has expanded to provide CE credits not only in New York but to multiple states as well as the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. It provides both attended and webinar offerings.
Continuing Vision has also started a Mentorship Program titled Continuing the Vision, Mentoring the Future. It is an inclusive mentoring program open to all mortuary students, interns/residents and newly licensed funeral professionals.
There are so many virtual events now in funeral service … why is connecting in person still so important?
While I offer online CE courses for convenience, in-person CE events provide a unique value that can’t be replicated virtually. They create a space for funeral directors to connect, network and share ideas with peers who understand the challenges and rewards of the profession. These face-to-face interactions often spark meaningful conversations, new perspectives, and lasting professional relationships, making the learning experience richer and more impactful.
Tell us more about your mentorship program – and how can potential mentors or mentees get involved?
I started the Mentor Program to guide and inspire the next generation of funeral professionals — to help them discover the same purpose, fulfillment, and sense of wholeness that this profession has given me. After the loss of my son, I came to understand even more deeply how meaningful this work truly is. By mentoring others, I hope to share not only knowledge and skills, but also the compassion and dedication that sustain us in serving families during life’s most difficult moments.
What is something about yourself that would surprise most people?
Something not everyone knows about me is my passion for cooking. For me, preparing a meal isn’t just about food, it’s about creating a space to slow down, connect and share moments with family and friends.
What’s a book you’d recommend to others in funeral service?
When I first read “The Undertaking” by Thomas Lynch, I had just started Continuing Vision. The book resonated deeply with me, so much so that I reached out to him and invited him to New York to deliver a three-hour CE presentation. That experience changed the way I looked at funeral service and reminded me of the depth and meaning behind our work. I consider “The Undertaking” a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand where we’ve been as a profession and where we are going.
Water Cremation Gains Ground in Maryland as Families Seek Greener Farewells
Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is gaining traction as a greener alternative to traditional burial and fire cremation, including in Maryland, which approved the form of disposition last year.
The process dissolves the body in a water-based solution, leaving only bones and liquid remains. More than half of U.S. states have legalized it.
The Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home in Baltimore is the first in Maryland to offer the service, according to a report in the Washington Post. Owner Joseph Brown had long planned for this option, redesigning his facility years earlier. He now charges about $4,500 per procedure and has performed around 30 since 2024.
Families drawn to water cremation often see it as gentler and more spiritual than fire, especially for children or infants, according to the article.
Advocates say the approach is both environmentally friendly and emotionally meaningful, offering another choice in end-of-life care while Maryland finalizes regulations.
Nevada Shuts Down Las Vegas Funeral Home Over Delayed Cremations and Unsanitary Conditions
The Nevada Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services revoked the license of McDermott’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Las Vegas after finding multiple violations, including failing to cremate or bury bodies for months. One case involved a woman who was not cremated for nearly 11 months, according to a report by 8 News Now (KLAS).
Inspections in 2024 revealed bodies stored in unsanitary conditions, including leaking fluids and one body left uncovered in a cooler. Families also complained about long delays, with one case showing a 51-day wait despite being told it would take only two weeks.
The funeral director argued many delays were tied to social service cases, which can take months, and accused inspectors of unfair targeting. The board also cited the business for operating an unapproved office location. McDermott’s had previously been cited in 2021 for similar issues.
Following the closure, the Clark County coroner’s office moved bodies from the facility.
Texas Funeral Commission Drops Lawsuit Against Ex-Attorneys Who Spoke Out
If you’re a regular reader of Elevate, you’ve no doubt been keeping tabs on the unrest at the Texas Funeral Service Commission, which fired its executive director before parting ways with two staff attorneys … who it then sought to muzzle.
But according to a new report by KERA News (NPR for North Texas), the commission has abruptly dropped a lawsuit against the two former staff attorneys, Sarah Sanders and Christopher Burnett, just six days after filing it.
The suit had accused them of breaching attorney-client privilege by criticizing the commission publicly, speaking to the media, and sharing confidential communications. The commission sought to prevent them from making further comments but withdrew the case without explanation.
Sanders and Burnett, fired in July, have supported former TFSC executive director Scott Bingaman, who was terminated in June and later sued the commission over his firing. The commission has disputed his claims of dysfunction.
Vertin Buys Dugan Funeral Homes in Pennsylvania
In a LinkedIn post, Vertin announced that it has acquired Dugan Funeral Homes in Shippensburg and Bendersville, Pennsylvania.
CEO Jason Burlage shared that Dugan’s culture and values align closely with Vertin’s, and the company is honored to carry forward their legacy of compassionate, professional funeral care.
The acquisition expands Vertin’s presence in Pennsylvania, creating opportunities for local teams to collaborate and share resources across three nearby brands.
Vertin has become one of the largest privately held, family-owned funeral home companies in the Midwest. The Vertin Family Tradition refers to the unwavering commitment to our communities and the belief that families are better served through cooperation, not competition.
In addition to Pennsylvania, Vertin owns funeral homes where it is based – Minnesota – as well as Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Welton Hong, the Founder of Ring Ring Marketing,
to Speak at ‘Tech Turbocharge’ in Baltimore
Numerous states have approved “Tech Turbocharge: Digital Tools to Elevate the Deathcare Profession” which will be Dec. 11, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore – BWI Airport, for continuing education units.
Welton Hong, the founder and CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, is one of the speakers at the event. He’ll deliver a presentation titled, “Tech-Savvy Growth: How AI and Digital Marketing Can Elevate Your Business.”
The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, whose approval is recognized by numerous states, has approved the event for 5 hours of continuing education.
The following states have also approved the event for 5 CEUs: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee.
New Jersey has approved the event for 4 CEUs – and approval from Ohio is pending.
Joining Hong on the program are:
Matthew Bailey is a sixth-generation licensed funeral director and embalmer, certified celebrant, certified crematory operator and celebrant trainer. He owns Connecticut Life Tributes, which includes B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, Bailey Funeral Home and Carpino Funeral Home.
Minh Reid, manager of e-commerce and web strategy at Carriage Services, is a strategic leader in digital merchandising, e-commerce and site optimization, recognized for driving meaningful improvements in user experience and digital performance.
Brent Thomas, head of business development at Dead Ringers, has more than 28 years of experience in the deathcare profession. He began his journey in cemetery and funeral preneed sales before quickly advancing into sales leadership roles.
Cole Waybright is the vice president of sales optimization at Homesteaders Life Company. He formerly was an executive at Foundation Partners Group, serving as vice president of sales operations, director of preneed and as a preneed manager. He will deliver a session titled “Breaking Silos: Maximizing Efficiency with Integrated Technology.”
Reserve Your Seat Early and Save Money!
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore – BWI Airport is 10 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International Airport, with a free 24-hour shuttle both ways.
Its location near I-195 offers easy access to downtown: Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and the Inner Harbor are eight miles away. Enjoy a warm chocolate chip cookie when you arrive!
Register for Tech Turbocharge before Sept. 12 and you will pay only $229 per ticket, which includes breakfast and lunch. After the early-bird rate expires, everyone pays $349.
Tech Turbocharge would not be possible without our generous sponsors, including our Platinum sponsor, Homesteaders Life Company; and our Gold sponsors, Carriage Services, Celebrate Life Co., ASD – Answering Service for Directors and Ring Ring Marketing.
