The Independent Funeral Group Introduces Executive Leadership Team
The Independent Funeral Group, an organization supporting independently owned funeral homes since 1995, is formally introducing its executive leadership team: Executive Director Dr. Brad Kuchnicki and Associate Executive Director Christi Moon Robbins.
Kuchnicki and Robbins manage daily operations, member relationships, vendor partnerships, and organizational initiatives for the growing national network. In addition to their leadership roles with The Group, both continue to operate the East Tennessee Cremation Company in Maryville, Tennessee.
Executive Leadership Backgrounds
Dr. Brad Kuchnicki has served as Executive Director since 2013. He has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1998, a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist, and an OSHA Outreach Trainer since 2011. He also operates Funeral Compliance, LLC, an OSHA compliance advisory service for deathcare professionals.
“I’ve been basically working in the business [of deathcare] since 1997,” says Kuchnicki. “It has changed 180 degrees even since I’ve been with The Group, and The Group is different than it was a year ago — a lot different — benefits-wise, numbers-wise, and in the things we do everyday. But what hasn’t changed is what I tell everyone when they call about membership: ‘We work for you.’”
Kuchnicki emphasizes that the organization focuses on providing tailored solutions to support independent funeral home operations.
“We are just here to provide you with solutions — and to create solutions if needed,” Kuchnicki explains. “We are here to work for you to try to create a close network of family-owned firms and to help them stay family-owned. We’re not here to tell you what to do. The owner knows their business more than anybody knows their business. All we can do is be a supportive organization to help you where we can as needed, and to seek solutions for you if possible, when needed.”
Christi Moon Robbins joined the executive leadership team as Associate Executive Director in 2018. A Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 2010 and a Certified Crematory Operator since 2018, Robbins also serves as the Family Cremation Center Coordinator and Associate Director of the East Tennessee Cremation Company.
Continuing Education and Member Benefits
Both Kuchnicki and Robbins teach continuing education courses offered through The Group. These courses are free for members and $25 for non-members.
“We’re constantly finding solutions that save time and save real money while creating a stronger network, and one of the ways we do that is by offering continuing education that doesn’t require a practitioner to pay for the class, travel for the day, or stay somewhere overnight,” Robbins explains. “So if we’re able to resolve a problem for the funeral home and its employees, like helping them avoid being out of work for a day or two for courses, it’s a win-win.”
Robbins manages project research, organization, and execution for the network, including the recent launch of group health benefits for members. The Group continues to evaluate new programs based on direct feedback and operational requests from member firms.
About The Independent Funeral Group
Since 1995, The Independent Funeral Group has supported family-owned funeral homes as a buying, education, and resource organization. Founded by funeral practitioners, The Group works to preserve independent ownership and strengthen deathcare operations through shared resources and collaboration. To learn more about membership and programs, visit www.tifg.net, email info@tifg.net, or call (865) 977-0027.
