Parting Stone, the pioneer in solidified remains, announced last week in a press release that they have hired the 2025 recipient of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Inspiration Award, Katey Houston, “. . to lead strategic engagement between funeral professionals and the families they serve.”

According to the press release, “Houston’s background includes 2 years service as a funeral director and embalmer in England, followed by 12 years in U.S. funeral service and a successful tenure at the startup Return Home. In her new role, she will oversee social media strategy and relationship building, focusing on elevating the voices of families and funeral partners.”

Upon her hiring, Houston made the following prepared statement, “I came to Parting Stone as a customer first — and that experience changed everything for me. Joining this team as Head of Relationships and Community isn’t just a career move, it’s a calling. I want every single person who has lost someone they love to have access to what Parting Stone makes possible. . . .”

Parting Stone CEO Justin Crowe made these comments about the hiring of Katey Houston, “Houston’s history of advocating for innovative death care options, including her instrumental role in the national growth of natural organic reduction, makes her a natural fit for the company’s mission. . . . . . .her ability to act as an evangelist for the solidified remains category will be essential as Parting Stone continues to expand its reach across North America”.

Speaking about Parting Stone’s reach across North America:  According to this page, which includes a map and listing, from the Parting Stone website, Parting Stone is now available at 1,903 funeral home, cremation provider, and cemetery locations across 1,278 cities in North America.  The company also recently announced that in the few short years that they have been offering the product to the public they have surpassed the 13,000 number for families served.

The alternative to conventional ashes:  Justin Crowe, CEO of Parting Stone, recently made these comments, “We developed this alternative to conventional ashes so families can avoid an uncomfortable experience with their loved ones’ remains. . . . . It’s about giving them a profound opportunity to hold their loved ones again.”

Innovation rooted in empathy:  An earlier press release also pointed out that CEO Crowe . . . .”was inspired by the death of his grandfather, developed the service to ensure loved ones are never “lost and forgotten” in a closet or garage. Through a patented process developed with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Parting Stone transforms 100% of remains into 40-80 smooth, clean stones. Their approach allows funeral homes to offer a tangible, intimate experience that aligns with modern society’s desire for personalized death care.”

Here is the website for Parting Stone.

Disclaimer — The author of this article for Funeral Director Daily is a shareholder of Parting Stone.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• This method to reverse cellular aging is about to be tested in humans.  Nature
• “Caring for Your Cemetery Day”.  New York Department of State
• Forest Meadows Funeral Home brings eco-friendly water cremation to Gainesville.  Main Street Daily News (FL)
• Learning “Life Lessons” with Mike Hall.  Wiscasset Newspaper (ME)

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