The Funeralcast

The United States has hit a 60% cremation rate, but do you know how we go here? Jason Ryan Engler is the historian for the Cremation Association of North America, and author, and the designer of the cremation exhibit at The National Museum of Funeral History. Find out that there is more to just Baron de Palm’s cremation in 1876...  History of Cremation Exhibit at the National Museum of Funeral His...

Have you ever wondered what funeral directing and embalming in other countries is like? How about Germany, specifically? Carla Mueller is a Master Funeral Director and ane embalmer in Germany, and she joins us to teach us about what her life is like as a funeral service professional in Germany.   Find Carla on Facebook Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Register for the Embalm Better Conference and find...

The idea of a Viking or Jedi Funeral is a hot topic for both laypeople and people in funeral service alike. On this episode of The Funeralcast, I am joined by volunteer members of The Crestone End of Life Project and Informed Final Choices, the only legal open air cremation services in the United States to share with us how they serve the members of their community.   Free Expo Passes! Frigid Flui...

Regan Moreland is a massage therapist turned funeral director, a career choice that has opened new doors for her. Now, she wants to share her experience with others as a mentor and partner at Continuing Vision. She hasn't forgotten her roots as a massage therapist though! At this year's NFDA Expo, she will present will that be “Will That Be Swedish or Deep Tissue?”  a seminar on the benefi...

AI machine learning is on its way and funeral tech companies like Tukios are at the forefront of the helping funeral homes adapt it to support their businesses and the families they serve. Join Ben and Texas Emerging Leader University Speaker Micah Spicer to learn more about it.   Free Expo Passes! Frigid Fluid Booth 3129 Follow Micah on LinkedIn   Email Micah micah@tukios.com  Visit the Tukios we...

It's not unusual for both funeral service professionals and families to encounter people who identify themselves as “hospice chaplains.” On this episode of The Funeralcast, Brent Montogomery, a hospice chaplain and leadership speaker for Bare Bones Dynamix joins us to explain a little bit more about that role and his presentation for Texas Emerging Leaders University (ELU)  Free Expo Passes! F...

In Episode 30, we spoke with Madeline Lyles (a.k.a Mel the Mortician) about the Funeral Service Education Camp she and her business partner Dana Taylor have put on for the last five years. In this episode, we talk with real life campers who attended their camp!   Follow Mel @mel.the.mortician Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Follow Frigid Fluid @frigidfluid   Read the Frigid Blog    Register for the E...

Choosing a mortuary school that suits you is difficult. Ben and Damon have a combined 30 years' experience as mortuary school educators and are here to offer you some advice.  Link to the American Board of Funeral Service Education’s directory of accredited programs   Link to the American Board of Funeral Service Education’s Standards for mortuary schools   State Licensing In the show, they an...

People put a lot of money, time, and emotion into their tattoos. This does not end at death. Licensed funeral director and owner of Save My Ink Forever Kyle Sherwood helps the families of deceased humans retain the memories and meaning behind their tattoos.   Follow Kyle on Instagram @savemyink4ever  Visit the Save My Ink Forever website   Register for the Embalm Better Conference and find upcomin...

So, you are thinking of becoming a funeral director or embalmer?   Damon and Ben have a combined 30 years of experience with students from all over the United States through their careers as funeral service educators, work with colleges through apps and textbooks, and social media. In this episode, they guide potential new practitioners on how to enter funeral service.   As mentioned in the podcas...

Colorado doesn’t have a funeral directors license... but it will soon! In this episode, Ben meets with Arapahoe Community College Program Chair Faith Haug to discuss the her role in the creation of the legislation and answer our questions about its implementation. ⁠Register for the Embalm Better Conference and find upcoming continuing education ⁠ Follow Faith @thatmortuaryprofessor Read the Frigid...

Duane Hills is the author of One Block West of the White House , Washington’s Sinner’s and Saints: Lost in History , the president of Joseph Gawler and Son’s Funeral Home, and a very nice man who has agreed to go on a road trip with Ben. To keep Ben from driving him crazy, Duane discusses chapter 9 of Washington’s Sinner’s and Saints: Lost in History entitled An Assassin's Revenge.   Find both...

2024 Embalm Better Speaker and funeral director extraordinaire Kenny Howe joins Ben to discuss how to build your community. In addition to owning funeral homes with multiple locations, Kenny was American Funeral Director’s Funeral Director of the Year and the youngest person appointed to the Missouri State Board of Funeral Service.   Visit the Holman-Howe website Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Email...

Duane Hills is the author of One Block West of the White House, Washington’s Sinner’s and Saints: Lost in History, the president of Joseph Gawler and Son’s Funeral Home, and a very nice man who has agreed to go on a road trip with Ben. To keep Ben from driving him crazy, Duane discusses chapter 6 of Washington’s Sinner’s and Saints: Lost in History entitled Lincoln’s Practitioners.   Find both boo...

Embalm Better Conference presenter Kelley Romanowski has had very personal experiences on the value of organ and tissue donation. Listen to her tell story and learn some anatomy fun facts!   Email Kelley at lohm0024@umn.edu Email me with your comments! bschmidt@frigidfluid.com Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Follow Amanda @amek_graphics  Register for the Embalm Better Conference and find upcoming con...

No doubt you have heard of cryonics; the process of preserving human tissue to be revived later. Ben sits down with Alcor Co-CEO and General Counsel James Arrowood to discuss the future of this seemingly sci-fi technology and how funeral homes can benefit.   To learn more or schedule training with Alcor Life Extension Foundation, email them at info@alcor.org Email me with your comments! bschmidt@f...

Embalm Better Conference Speaker Michelle Johnston is the owner of East Texas Mortuary Service and founder of the Johnston Embalming & Reconstruction Institute also known as JERI. She joins Ben and Mel to tell us how she did it and play a ridiculous game Ben came up with.   Follow Michelle  Instagram @Johnstoninstitute_jeri  Facebook Johnston Embalming & Reconstructive Institute   Find out...

2024 Embalm Better Conference speaker Caleb Wilde joins The Funeralcast to discuss a very real issue in funeral service; burnout. Funeral directors can face a heavy emotional toll from working with grieving families, and in a time in our industry when we need everyone firing on all cylinders, Caleb Wilde is here to offer some good advice and help.   Follow Caleb’s Blog on Facebook Confessions of a...

This podcast explores Illinois House Bill HB3158 Natural Organic Reduction (also known as Human Composting) sponsored by Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy . She joins Ben Schmidt and Return Home Chief Operations Officer Brienna Smith to discuss this eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods and its impact on the environment and funeral industry.  Email Rep. Cas...

Explore the intriguing world of a Navy mortician in our latest podcast episode with former Navy mortician Dr. Jennifer Lares. Learn the pathway to become a Navy Mortician, uncover the unique challenges and responsibilities they face, and gain insight into the profound impact this role has on those who ensure the final journey for our naval heroes is handled with utmost respect.  Email me with your...

In this captivating podcast episode, Ben and Mel dive into the peculiar world of cemetery wine and casket races, exploring the unexpected intersection of death and celebration. The episode unfolds with the tale of 19 Crimes who produced “casket aged wine” in cemetery soil, then the hosts analyze a fascinating event in Boo-Coda, WA where communities gather for spirited competitions involving creati...

For the first time in history, a Summer Camp geared towards the desires and aspirations of youth and young adults’ goals has been launched by the founding ladies of After Life Mortuary Services, LLC.!  Young minds explore the science of life's end with hands-on activities while mortician mentors guide teenagers aged 13-17 through this unique and enlightening summer experience. Email me with yo...

Our Stay at (Funeral) Home Mom series continues as we get an inside look at the personal and professional challenges faced by funeral directors Eileen Hollis and Amanda King as they share their stories of pregnancy, balancing work commitments, and the unique experiences of expecting mothers in the funeral service industry.  Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Follow Amanda @amek_graphics  Follow Eileen @...

Our Stay at (Funeral) Home Mom series continues as we get an inside look at the personal and professional challenges faced by funeral directors Eileen Hollis and Amanda King as they share their stories of pregnancy, balancing work commitments, and the unique experiences of expecting mothers in the funeral service industry.  Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Follow Amanda @amek_graphics  Follow Eileen @...

We can all recognize a hearse by the "S shaped" scroll work on the side, but what is it and where did it come from? Ben asked 15 funeral directors about it and he and Mel discuss his findings. Email me with your comments! Bschmidt@frigidfluid.com   Follow Ben @thefuneralcast   Follow Mel @mel.the.mortician Shop our selection of embalming fluids and prep room equipment   Read the Frigid B...