Dying to Know More

What if the most environmentally friendly thing you ever do happens after you die? In this episode of Dying to Know More, we talk with HK Lee, founder of Aeon Woods Conservation Cemetery, about her mission to create the first conservation natural burial cemetery in New York's Hudson Valley. She explains how natural burial differs from traditional burial and cremation, why abandoned cemeteries may...

Seventy percent of Americans have no estate plan at all, but according to estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni, the biggest mistake isn't having the wrong documents. It's assuming everyone needs the same plan. In this episode of "Dying to Know More," Jill breaks down the estate planning basics most people never learn, including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and healthcare direct...

What can people facing the end of life teach the rest of us about living right now?  In this episode of Dying to Know More,  palliative care chaplain Cody Hufstedler shares what he’s learned from hundreds of deathbed conversations as well as the intimate conversations he's had with terminal patients on his podcast, "Dying to Tell You."  We also talk about grief, terminal illness, fear of death, fi...

What happens when grief hits all at once, and how do you survive it? In this episode of Dying to Know More, author Samantha Rose shares the raw, disorienting reality of losing her mother to suicide and the unexpected ways she found healing. An Emmy Award-winning writer and bestselling author, Samantha Rose talks about her memoir Giving Up the Ghost: A Daughter’s Memoir, a powerful exploration of l...

What happens when success no longer feels meaningful and grief changes everything? In this episode, we talk with entrepreneur-turned-death doula Phil Benavides, who walked away from a thriving tech company after experiencing multiple personal losses during COVID. What followed was a complete life pivot, one that led him into the world of grief support, end-of-life care, and ultimately, building a...

When we lose a human loved one, society rolls out a "red carpet" of support. Meals are delivered, bereavement leave is granted, and our grief is validated. But when a "soul dog" or a beloved feline companion passes, pet parents are often met with silence, awkwardness, or the dismissive sentiment that it was "just an animal." In this episode, we talk with Koryn Greenspan, a certified pet loss berea...

More families are asking about water cremation, but very few people actually understand how it works. In this episode of Dying to Know More, we talk with Philip Flores, Jr., a pioneer in the aquamation industry, about the science, ethics, and growing demand for this environmentally conscious option. We discuss: • The real process behind alkaline hydrolysis • Why water cremation produces lighter, f...

Growing up in a funeral home is more than just a "fun fact," it can provide a life-altering perspective on how to live. Growing up in her family's third-generation funeral home taught Katie Radel so many beautiful lessons about living that can only be found by witnessing death. In this episode of Dying to Know More, host Ashley Haugen talks with Katie Radel about her unique upbringing and how she...

Mandy Benoualid, founder of Keeper and Talk Death , shares what led her to reimagine and modernize the memorial space. She also shares the most popular article on Talk Death for 11 years running, her most profound experiences in this space and more. Enjoy this enlightening episode of Dying to Know More. SHOW NOTES: Learn more about Mandy's work at the following: TalkDeath.com FB: talkdeathdaily IG...

In this episode of Dying to Know More, we welcome Ebony Leary, founder of My Sunset Doula. As a former hospice nurse and current death doula and end-of-life planning professional, Ebony demystifies the caregiving journey. We discuss the "pink flags" of cognitive decline, how families can access Medicaid funds for caregiving, and why having an advanced directive is the best gift you can leave your...

Death is universal, but the way we are treated in death isn't always equal. On this episode of Dying to Know More, death and grief doula Lauren Seeley explains death literacy, specifically for the LGBTQ+, trans, and sex worker communities, marginalized groups who often face the risk of being misgendered, deadnamed, or "erased" by estranged biological family after they pass. Lauren explains why a s...

"He was the meanest man on earth." Alice Sullivan doesn't hold back in this episode as she recounts the moment she found out her abusive father had passed away—and why she and her siblings toasted with margaritas. But 2025 had more in store. From navigating a $17,000 "hoarder house" cleanup to receiving news of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, Alice’s story is a masterclass in compartmental...

In this deeply moving conversation, Melanie Ezell shares her experience living with stage 4 ovarian cancer since 2022 while raising her 5-year-old son Velzy. A former yoga instructor, surfer, and athlete with the BRCA1 genetic mutation, Melanie offers profound insights on mortality, motherhood, and finding peace in uncertainty. We discuss: • Why she rejects "fighting" cancer and instead seeks acce...

Captain Steve Ferdinando never imagined he'd be scattering ashes at sea for a living. But after 20 years in the fleet lease business, a simple request from a friend changed everything and led him to found Ashes2Oceans, a company helping families say goodbye on the water. In this episode, Captain Steve shares: ✦ How his first sea burial went hilariously (and perfectly) wrong ✦ The unexplainable mom...

When Janet Turkula lost her father at 21, she and her siblings faced an impossible situation: planning a funeral they couldn't afford while trying to grieve. Years later, when a friend's family faced the same struggle, Janet discovered there was no modern way to help — no gift registry for funerals, just awkward Venmo pools and wilting flowers. In this episode, Janet and her co-founder Ryan Olivei...

When Becky Robinson lost both her parents within three years, she discovered the overwhelming chaos of settling an estate, even when her parents had planned ahead. From death certificates to "ghost cars" titled to deceased parents, from medallion signature guarantees to probate court confusion, Becky shares the real, messy truth about what happens after someone dies on her website, deadparentswhat...

In this episode, we talk with estate planning attorney Will Ha of William Ha Law. He shares his keen insights on what a trust is and does, the hassles of probate, determining guardianship, advanced directives and so much more. Plus he explains common misconceptions that people have regarding estate planning. Whether you're curious about how to get started, or just want to make sure your loved ones...

On this episode of Dying to Know More, Deputy Coroner Clair Valeriano shares what it's really like to work the scene of a death, her favorite part of her job, and details you may be surprised to find out. Find out more about the fascinating field of forensics with this bright and brilliant woman. Find Deputy Coroner Clair on the following socials: TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@deputycoronerclair IG:...

Mary McGreevy is a lifelong obituary consumer, and on her wildly popular Tips From Dead People social channels, she shares the hidden messages she finds in some of the most moving, humorous, and — as she says — savage obituaries. But it's what she hopes to accomplish by sharing those "tips" that makes her work truly noteworthy. EPISODE LINKS: Renay's obit: https://www.fayobserver.com/obituaries/m0...

Gina Black is a paranormal investigator and author who has spent the past near-decade learning and teaching about paranormal activity and ghosts. She also recently released her new book, Etched in Stone: Decoding Hidden Meanings in Cemeteries, which uncovers the some fascinating historical facts that have long since been lost to time. Here, she shares more about how she conducts her investigations...

Rhea Perkins is the founder of Away Message and Ask Robin, two tech tools that are designed to help people navigate the loss of a loved one and the subsequent grief. On this episode, she shares her own tales of loss and how as she can no longer hear her mother's voice, it sparked these two innovative options so others don't have to experience that same pain. Check out Ask Robin for yourself: WEB:...

For anyone who has asked why I make this podcast and am so interested in death, here you go.

On this episode of Dying to Know More, The Modern Mortician (aka Melissa Meadow) shares some unreal (shocking, actually, but we don't want to be too dramatic...) stories from her decades in the industry as well as her keen and incredibly beautiful experience in the green burial and eco-friendly funeral space. This is the episode you do NOT want to skip. FIND MELISSA AT: https://www.themodernmortic...

In this episode, Gwen Taylor, a mom and therapist, shares her personal journey of experiencing fear of death after the tragic and traumatic loss of her mother. Her insights into psychology and mental health offer guidance on emotional healing and navigating grief after a trauma and tragedy. Get her keen insights on healing after loss and learn how to find peace.

Learn about the Funeral Rule and how the FTC put rules in place to offer consumer protection during funeral planning. This video explains your consumer rights and the importance of price transparency when working with a funeral home. The funeral rule ensures fair practices during one of life's most vulnerable times.