Katharine K. Wagner-Elfner, Mortician

08/03/2026

Hi friends ❤️

We will be caring for Abby and her family at Wagner-Elfner and Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services over the coming days. If you feel so inclined, the family would be greatly appreciative for any donations towards the funeral services and expenses.

Thank you.

Hi, I wanted to share something very close to my heart. This is my friend and employee Danielle’s little girl . . . Thank you for considering! Jamie

We recently lost little Abby, a bright and loving 5-year-old, and we’re trying to cover her funeral costs. If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing to help her family during this heartbreaking time. Every bit of support means a lot. 💙

https://gofund.me/81f89a1ab

08/01/2026

07/23/2026

Hey friends. I haven’t gone anywhere. Life has been busy, work’s been busy, and while I took a little hiatus for studying… we are officially back.

I’m now working with a whole new program from ExamFX that I actually love.

That said… I can still think of at least 10 things I’d rather do than study:

1. Step on 1,000 Legos barefoot.
2. Fold a fitted sheet perfectly on the first try.
3. Untangle a box of Christmas lights.
4. Sit through a two-hour timeshare presentation.
5. Parallel park a bus with an audience watching.
6. Clean every grout line in my shower with a toothbrush.
7. Assemble IKEA furniture without looking at the instructions.
8. Reply to every spam email that starts with “Dear Sir, can you help me plan the perfect memorial…”
9. Wait in line at the DMV on a Monday morning.
10. Listen to hold music for three hours straight.

The end 😭

07/16/2026

What do a cute dog, a pantsless toddler, and a lizard crawling across the wall at 7:00 am have in common?

Absolutely nothing… except they somehow all ended up in today’s picture.

Now that I’ve got your attention…

Tonight is the big night! Christopher Boggs - Mortician and I will be sitting down with Ryan Thogmartin from Disrupt Media for an episode on As The Hearse Turns at 7pm EST, and we’re pulling back the curtain on our social media journey.

We’re going to have an honest conversation about what worked, what didn’t, the criticism we’ve faced along the way, and how social media has completely changed the trajectory of our funeral home.

If you’re a funeral director, funeral home owner, or someone trying to convince leadership that transparency and community engagement actually matter — this conversation is for you all.

We’ll be sharing real numbers, real experiences, and real lessons… no fluff, just an honest look at what embracing today’s communication trends has meant for our business and the families we serve ❤️

Join us tonight. I think this conversation might change the way you look at funeral service marketing.

(Also, if you’re wondering where our dining room table went, that’s the table in the main entrance of the funeral home 😉)

07/01/2026

Every once in a while, it’s important to stop talking about what you’re doing… and remind people why you’re doing it.

When Katharine and I launched As The Hearse Turns, we had an idea.

What we didn’t realize was how many people were looking for a place where they could ask honest questions, hear honest answers, and have conversations that too often get avoided.

This video isn’t about a podcast.

It’s about the mission that’s driving every episode, every guest, and every conversation we have.

If you’ve supported us, shared a video, joined a live, or simply encouraged what we’re building… thank you.

You’re the reason this community continues to grow.

And if this is your first time here…

Welcome.

We think the best conversations are the ones that leave you understanding a little more than you did before.

Because education replaces fear.

Conversation replaces confusion.

Transparency builds trust.

We’ll see you in the next conversation.

06/23/2026

Thanks for sharing Drop Dead Threads! Love your clothing! 👚

06/06/2026

Rain outside 🌧️ Insurance exam study materials in front of me 📚 Alarm set for another early morning at the funeral home ⏰ I’ll be in bed by 8pm tonight 🥱

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t already thinking about our cruise in a couple of weeks 🚢 💭

Give me a balcony, blue water, sunshine, and a week with my boys, and I’m a happy girl 🌊

Until then, it’s my job that I love ❤️, enjoying the summer with our boys, studying for this exam, and counting down the days☀️🌴

(📸: from our last cruise in March)

What vacations do you have planned for the summer?

06/05/2026

Locked in at the employee lounge today at Wagner-Elfner and Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Heated blanket on, laptop open, and insurance exam prep in full swing 💻

While the funeral home may be a little quieter this time of year, there’s always something to work on behind the scenes.

Today’s focus: studying for my insurance license and making sure I’m as prepared as possible to better serve the families who trust us 💕

Back to the books 📚