Undertaking: The Podcast

Working in death care can be isolating and anxiety is very real. Having a network of friends has been vital to our growth in knowledge, but most importantly, it make anyone feel a little less alone.  Undertaking is hard enough, we need not make our lives worse by keeping ourselves separated. Champion someone else and see how it feels.  Today's show is sponsored by The Wilbert Group: https://www.wi...

Season 2 of Undertaking: The Podcast kicks off with a tell-all podcast about...................... planning for the future, preparing for it and leaving a legacy that will last generations.  Joe, the mystery-person featured on the veil-lifting-death book, Smoke Gets In Your Eye by Caitlin Doughty, joins the show and he's go so much to offer.  Seaon 2 of Undertaking: The Podcast kick off with a tel...

Podcasting like we'll never do it again, Ryan and I hit the road and paratroop into the Illinois Funeral Directors Association's annual convention in Springfield, Illinois. They hit the ground and immediately built a network to visit the place where the usefulness of undertakers was realized. Today's show is crafted in the spirit of a Celebration of Life because that's what Undertaking: The Podcas...

How does funeral service care for our fellow human? It might not be as simple as you think. Do we understand each other outside of work? This show gets into it. Micah and Tim discuss Tim's presentation at last year's NFDA convention which was nothing less than, impactful.  For any of us to see real change, we must observe, listen and do no harm.  Today's show is sponsored by  Hilton Funeral Supply...

Illinois convention kicks off this Monday and Ryan has the day off. We're going somewhere, where, we'll find out. But in the meantime, let's talk with the keynote speaker, aurhor Todd Harra, who will be filling for our friend, Todd Van Beck.  This week is the network's first adopt a sponsor week. Ryan has selected  Jack's Doughnuts: https://www.facebook.com/jacksdonuts Brian took Frich's Big Boy:...

Recording in person and over the phone, Brian and Ryan visit the Indiana Donor Network to chat with Kelsey and her father Paul about their connection to organ and tissue donation and how miracles can be made when don't give up on life. To learn more about the Indiana Donor Network visit: https://indianadonornetwork.org/

Happy 4th of July. The fellas relax and discuss their journeys in funeral service. How do you explain what undertakers offer?  Today's show is supported by Pierce Chemical. Connect with them on Facebook or at PierceDirect.com

On this episode of Tea and Mourning Wear with Ben Whitworth, he discusses the idea that sometimes the wishes of the deceased clash with the needs of the living.  Learn more about Ben Whitworth at https://www.expressfuneralfunding.com/ Today's show is supported by: National Shipping and Cremation, learn more about NMS at: https://www.natlmortuaryshipping.com/ Express Funeral Funding, learn more abo...

Long before the film Died Suddenly, embalmers have noticed abnormalities in human anatomy. During the recent pandemic, heated debated were held between embalmers. In this show, Brian and Wally, embalmers with completely different political backgrounds come together to discuss our observations.  Today's show is supported by NMS: National Mortuary and Cremation, learn more at: https://www.natlmortua...

Every story matters. Today's show features Brian and Ryan on the road at the Indiana Donor Network. Today's guest Whitney, a member of the Donor Family Council and advocate, who also knows Brian's wife, share her story and we all remember her husband Ethan.  To learn more about Indiana Donor Network visit: https://indianadonornetwork.org/

Brian joins Ryan on a dawn walk around the country cemetery where Ryan's father is laid to rest. A little local folklore is shared while the guys discuss the topics of the day.

Funeral service is often polished and presented and a well-oiled service business. The struggles undertakers' face are often over-looked and recently both Brian and Ryan have been noticing a pattern. And Brian makes a friend with a wrong-number texter.  Today's show is sponsored by AP Lazer and SuperNova International . 

On the beach in Cancun, Mexico, Brian ponders the topics of the Embalm Beter Conference with his friends Nelson Sanchez and Dr. Damon de la Cruz from Frigid Fluid.  Learn more about Frigid and watch for announcements for next years' conference at https://frigidfluid.com/ Today's show is supported by National Mortuary Shipping and Cremation. Learn more at:   https://www.natlmortuaryshipping.com/

Pressing Brian on the tough topics generally whispered about in funeral service, Micah concludes his discussion with Brian. To learn more about Micah Truman and Return Home visit: Return Home Today's show is supported by the Indiana Donor Network. Sign up to be an organ and tissue donor HERE

Micah Truman, host of "The Dirt" on the Undertaking: The Podcast Network, starts a conversation with Brian Waters about the struggles of being an undertaker and together they confront some uncomfortable topics facing funeral professionals everywhere. The completion of the conversation will air later today.  To learn more about Micah Truman, Terramation and the folks at Return Home visit: https://r...

Brian uncovers a funeral fundraising scam that is happening not just locally, but nationally. In the second half of the show, Brian phones random boothmates on the trade show floor of the Indiana convention. Bonus: A special guest host from the UPC Network, makes a contribution to the cause. Today's show is supported by: The Wilbert Group Hilton Funeral Supply

In memory of Todd Van Beck, Todd Harra, undertaker and author, sits behind the mic to pay tribute to our mentor, as he concluded the story of the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.  Thank you, TVB. And thank you Todd Harra. 

As Brian prepares to travel to Iowa for the funeral of Todd Van Beck, he stops to share an update and a story about plans and how they get turned upside down. As the number of Isaac Ball Fellows in Indiana grows, so does the value, purpose and benefit of the association. Hear how undertakers in Indiana are creating something different. Today's show is supported by Memory Share - LiveStreaming Serv...

The show is live and we are on the floor. Come on down.  Today's show is supported by Express Funeral Funding, Butler Coach, Matthews Aurora and Hilton Funeral Supply. 

Brie Smith of Return Home hosts this episode of The Dirt on the Undertaking: The Podcast Network. Her guest, funeral director on the island, Lisa Devereau.  Learn more about Lisa Devereau at Island Funeral Service Connect with host Brie Smith and Return Home here Today's show is sponsored by Garfield Refining

Ryan wants to know if your skull has proper paperwork and Brian want to talk about IFDA's convention. And are those skeletons in classrooms actually real? Join the conversation on the podcast's Facebook page and tune in as your make your way to the IFDA convention. Bring your shopping list because our friends from   Hilton Funeral Supply will be there.

The UPC Network is on the scene in Kansas City to cover the ICCFA Conveniton & Expo. While exploring in the wild, funeral director extraordinaire (funeraltainer in training) Robert, find one of the founders of NeutrOlene, Chet Robbins. Learn more and pick up NeutrOlene for your business at https://www.neutrolene.com/ Today's show is sponosred by Gather. Learn more about them HERE Do you have a que...

A short time ago, artificial intelligence was even a thing in funeral service. Today, it's here. Gather, a software company, founded for funeral directors, is at ICCFA to help us.  Learn more at: https://gather.app/ Have a story and want to be on the show? Connect with the guys at info@undertakingthepodcast.com Today's show is sponsored by Hilton Funeral Supply

The Undertaking: The Podcast Network is proud to introduce, for the first time by himself on he alter-call, wait, podcast, Jason Duvall, undertaker from Kentucky, discusses the need to turn our attention to cosmetics and to expand our knowledge by sharing with others. Today's sponsors:  Hilton Funeral Supply EmbalmCalc Do you have a question for Ryan or Brian? Connect with them at info@undertaking...

A Florida teacher has been sacked for breaking the news to students that they'll die someday. In an ironic twist, the same school held an acive shooter drill. We wonder if the drill was a success, with the no dying in Florida rule and all. In other news, how much to you need to pick up mom? Who's taking out pacemakers these days and what the heck for.  Plus a couple smart alack kids get and A+ on...