The Final Touch

At nearly every funeral, there’s that person… The one who sits in the front row when they shouldn’t. The one who has opinions about everything. The one who somehow turns a deeply personal moment into something about themselves. In this episode of The Final Touch , we’re diving into what I call “The Front Row Phenomenon” —when guests forget their place and unintentionally add stress to an already e...

In this episode of The Final Touch , we take an honest and direct look at the growing issue of social media announcements of a death before the family has been properly notified. From families learning about a loved one’s passing through Facebook, to misinformation spreading online, to unauthorized GoFundMe accounts and an overwhelming influx of calls and visitors. This episode explores the real a...

Should children attend funerals? Or is it better to shield them from death altogether? In this heartfelt (and lightly humorous) episode of The Final Touch Podcast , Gillian dives into one of the most common — and emotionally loaded — questions parents ask. You’ll learn: • When it may be healthy for kids to attend a funeral • How to prepare a child for an open casket • Why shielding children can so...

Let’s talk about something no one wants to talk about—but everyone eventually needs to. In this episode of The Final Touch , we’re breaking down funeral pre-planning and pre-funding in a way that’s informative, honest, and yes… even a little humorous. We cover: • The difference between pre-planning and pre-funding • Why funeral costs will continue to rise (no matter the disposition) • How pre-fund...

In this episode of The Final Touch podcast, host Gillian Lange continues the discussion on hospice care with Kristen Brockman, the community liaison for Hospice of San Angelo. They explore the evolving perceptions of hospice, the challenges faced in the healthcare system, and the importance of early conversations about end-of-life care. Kristen shares her personal journey and insights into how hos...

Hospice is one of the most misunderstood words in end-of-life care—and today, we’re talking about it openly, gently, and honestly. In this episode of The Final Touch , we explore what hospice truly is (and what it isn’t), where it came from, and how it supports both patients and families during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. We’ll walk through hospice eligibility, where care takes plac...

End-of-Life Doulas are becoming a more visible part of death care — but what do they actually do, how are they trained, and where do boundaries sometimes blur? In this episode of The Final Touch , we take an honest, balanced look at the world of End-of-Life Doulas. We explore the history of the role, where doulas are most common, how families hire them, what services they provide, and what they ty...

This week on The Final Touch , we’re peeling back the curtain on the part of the autopsy process that confuses families the most: toxicology . We break down exactly how toxicology labs work — from choosing specimens to running screening tests, confirmatory testing, mass spectrometry, and why results often take weeks or even months. You’ll learn what toxicologists look for, how decomposition change...

This week on The Final Touch , we go step-by-step through a standard forensic autopsy — from the first photograph to the final stitch. We break down the entire process: external exam, internal exam, toxicology, organ study, reconstruction, and how long each phase really takes. You’ll also learn how autopsies change when a body is severely decomposed, how pathologists work with anthropologists and...

Autopsies are one of the most misunderstood parts of the death-care process. In this episode of The Final Touch , we pull back the curtain on what really happens when a loved one dies unexpectedly—and the questions families often struggle to get answered. We explore: • When autopsies are required • Why they aren’t always ordered • Who makes the final call (JP vs Medical Examiner) • Why results tak...

There’s a new wave in funeral care — literally. In this episode of The Final Touch , Gillian explores Aquamation , the water-based alternative to cremation that’s changing how we think about saying goodbye. Learn how it works, why it’s considered the gentler, greener option, and whether it’s legal in Texas (spoiler alert: not yet!). From science and sustainability to culture and cost, this episode...

In this episode, Gillian explores the new funeral industry trend of preserving loved ones tattoos after death. It delves into the stories that tattoos tell about love, loss, and identity, and raises thought-provoking questions about the legacy of body art after the wearer passes away. Creepy or cool? You decide. For more info check out: Save Your Ink Forever Takeaways Tattoos and body modification...

Happy Halloween! In this episode, take a journey with Gillian to some of the most haunted funeral homes in North America. Gillian also explores the profound connection that funeral homes foster between the living and the deceased. She discusses how haunted tales, often associated with these spaces, reflect our deep desire to maintain a bond with our loved ones. Rather than evoking fear, these stor...

In this episode of 'The Final Touch,' Gillian explores the sensitive topic of family disagreements regarding final arrangements after a loved one's passing. She discusses the common causes of these conflicts, including differing interpretations of the deceased's wishes, cultural and religious differences, unresolved family dynamics, and financial issues. Gillian emphasizes the importance of compas...

Summary In this episode of The Final Touch podcast, Gillian discusses the importance of honoring veterans and the benefits available to them after death. She explains the eligibility criteria for military funeral honors, the history behind these traditions, and the necessary steps families must take to ensure their loved ones receive the honors they deserve. The episode emphasizes the significance...

In this episode of The Final Touch, Gillian explores the complex and often misunderstood topic of body donation. She discusses the process of donating one's body to science, the ethical implications, and the differences between non-profit and for-profit body donation programs. The episode emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, understanding the donation process, and choosing reputable pr...

In this episode of The Final Touch, Gillian delves into the complex world of organ and tissue donation, exploring the ethical implications, the differences between organ and tissue donation, and the commercial aspects of the tissue donation industry. She discusses the challenges faced by families during the donation process and the lack of transparency regarding the profits generated from tissue d...

Want to work in funeral service? Think you've got what it takes? Well this weeks episode is all about Mortuary School! Holly wants to know: What kind of education do you need to work in funeral service? Learn all about what it entails and more tonight at 7:00 pm. Important Links: Texas Funeral Service Commission Requirements Northeast Texas Community College Mortuary Science Program Dallas Ins...

Thinking about cremation? This episode might change your mind. This weeks question comes from Meagan, and its all about CREMATION. How is a cremation performed and what is my personal opinion on it as a disposition?

This week's podcast, gets really personal. Allison asks three questions: Do you remember every individual you’ve embalmed, or do they sometimes blur together over time? How do you balance the emotional and physical demands of funeral work with maintaining time and space for yourself? Being surrounded by grief and sadness regularly must be heavy—how do you personally cope or find peace amidst it al...

What was it like to work in a funeral home during the pandemic? This week's episode takes a heart breaking look into what it was like to serve families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trigger warning. It is a 100% honest take on some of the horrors our families faced and is not up for political debate or speculation. For some this episode will particularly challenging to listen to. Discretion is...

Trigger Warning Our Tenth Episode is all about embalming. Why do we do it? What is it for? What does it actually do to the body? How do you do it? And is it required? This episode goes into detail about the process and may not be suitable for everyone. Listener discretion is advised.

Are you superstitious? Do deaths come in threes? Are full moons a bad omen? This week, we talk about all of the funeral home superstitions, some of the most well-known, and some you may have never heard about. Like do bodies "Sit Up" in their caskets?

Apparently last week I ruffled some feathers when I mentioned the struggles we have as women in the funeral industry. Lynn asks the question: “What is it like to be a woman working in what seems to be a man’s field, and what advice do you have for other women who might be interested in working in the funeral industry?” This week, we have the pleasure of hosting Amanda James Shropshire from Kermit...

This week's episode is a question from Tim! Tim asks what all goes into a first call and what should families expect? If you've never been present when a funeral home arrives to bring someone into our care, this episode is sure to help you understand the process and everything it entails.