Kelly Manion brings a unique blend of funeral service expertise, communication skills, and grief support experience to Beyond Words – What Funeral Directors Say Without Saying a Thing. With over 12 years in funeral service leadership at Homesteaders Life Company and the Funeral Service Foundation, she has helped funeral professionals strengthen relationships with families through preplanning education, grief support, and aftercare initiatives. Kelly has developed award-winning resources, including Youth & Funerals, When a Child Dies, and Grieving Alone & Together, empowering directors to communicate effectively with grieving families.
A trained communication and marketing professional, Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and has led national branding and engagement strategies. She applies her knowledge of body language, tone, and non-verbal cues to help funeral directors navigate difficult conversations with clarity and empathy.
As a grief support specialist and trained funeral service apprentice, she coaches directors on recognizing and responding to unspoken emotions, ensuring families feel heard, understood, and supported. A sought-after national speaker, Kelly blends storytelling, practical tools, and interactive learning in her presentations on self-care, memorialization, and professional development.
Passionate about connection and compassionate care, Kelly equips funeral professionals with strategies to communicate intentionally, serve meaningfully, and build lasting trust with the families they serve.
Learning Lab: Beyond Words – What Funeral Directors Say Without Saying a Thing