David Speaks
Title: Senior Trainer/Coach
With Graystone Since 2021
Years in the Profession: 23 years
Roles at Graystone: David is responsible for delivering the Graystone trainings to both new and existing clients. He also takes an active training and coaching role at the Graystone Funeral Director Bootcamps, hosted at headquarters twice a year.
What Clients Say: Without exception, clients find David’s enthusiasm and heart for the funeral profession a valuable resource for their funeral teams. His ability to engage them as a peer and also a mentor, who has years of experience practicing the Graystone methods in his own professional walk, brings a unique value to the teams he is honored to coach.
Expertise: In David’s 23 years in funeral service, he has served in the roles of a Funeral Director, Manager of Operations, Director of Community Relations and Co-Owner of his family-owned funeral homes. As a Graystone trained funeral director, he consistently achieved the “Graystone Great” status. David has met with thousands of families and brings his expertise and experience to the Graystone Associates staff.
Passion for the Work: David’s passion is evident in his approach to coaching, training and mentoring team members of all levels within funeral service. Helping funeral professionals feel more comfortable in their craft is what he thrives on. During his years serving families, David always made an effort to make their experience one that would serve them well in their new transition without their special person. For 20+ years, he led families in special and unique ceremonies that made a difference in their lives.
Prior to Graystone: In 2000, David received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a specific focus on Interdepartmental Communication. The art of communication is the foundation to which David attributes much of his success. He met with every type of family, situation, expectation, disposition and economic family reality. Beginning in 2006, David started a Community Relations Department for his family firm. He created, chaired and organized 14 years of community outreach events, including Blood Drives, Veteran’s Events, Caregivers Grief Conferences, Holiday Services of Remembrance, Family Grief Events and much more, all while maintaining a high-level of service to the families he served in operations. David also started his own recruitment and placement service, helping funeral professionals across the United States find a fitting family-owned funeral home to call home.