We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tyrone Speaks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tyrone, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
My empathy was shaped early on by going to the funeral home with my uncle, where I learned that grief needed presence, not avoidance. That early exposure helped me grow comfortable with loss and understand the quiet ways people hurt. Working in funeral service taught me how to listen beyond words and offer care in the smallest details. Over time, I’ve come to see every family as unique, each needing something a little different to feel seen and supported. But everything changed when I lost my own mother and sister. Grief became personal, and empathy became my way of honoring both their memory and every family I serve.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
After years of serving families across the Southeast and teaching other professionals in the field, I created this funeral home to be exactly what families need in their hardest moments—personal, professional, and present. Speaks Funeral Home was built with intention. We don’t just handle arrangements—we walk with you through grief, honor your loved one’s story, and make sure every detail feels right.
What makes this work special is the trust families place in us—and I never take that lightly. Speaks is the perfect place for those who want to be treated with care, dignity, and respect from the first call to the final goodbye.
I’m excited to invite you to our Grand Opening on Saturday, July 13 at 4:00 p.m. Come meet us, tour the space, and see the heart behind what we do. Learn more at www.SpeaksFunerals.com—
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been empathy, resilience, and vision. Empathy helps me truly connect with families in their time of loss. Resilience kept me moving forward through personal and professional challenges. And vision gave me the clarity to build something meaningful in this field.
For those just starting out—stay grounded in your purpose, be open to learning, and never lose sight of the people you’re serving. That’s where your strength and success will come from.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my mom did for me was love me through everything—without conditions, without excuses, and without pause. Even while dealing with her own health battles, she showed up for us every single day. She worked, she prayed, she sacrificed, and she never let us feel like we were missing anything, even when we had very little. Her strength was quiet but powerful, and her love gave me the foundation to believe in myself. Everything I’ve built—this funeral home, this calling to serve—it all starts with her. She didn’t just raise me; she prepared me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Speaksfunerals.com
- Instagram: @SpeaksFunerals
- Yelp: Speaks Funeral Home & Cremations
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