DEATH AND with Victor M. Sweeney

In this episode of "Death And," licensed mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with fellow undertaker Steve Carberry to unpack what happens when a funeral director finds himself on the other side of the arrangement table—grieving, not guiding. Steve shares the deeply personal story of losing his wife Donella, revealing how all his professional preparedness fell away when grief struck at home, and...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney unpacks the theme of "dying well" through heartfelt stories and reflections on what it means to approach death with detachment, love, and acceptance. The episode features a return visit from friend of the show, Dave Berg, who shares candidly about his experience living with terminal cancer and how he’s preparing for w...

In this episode of "Death And," funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with author Joseph Pearce to explore reflections on mortality, literature, and the small rituals that give our days meaning. Joseph shares insights from the great books—including Tolkien's Lord of the Rings—and how an awareness of death can actually wake us up to the beauty of living. Victor discusses his own experiences...

In this episode of "Death And," Victor M. Sweeney sits down with undertaker, embalmer, and graphic artist Amanda King to dive into the challenging intersection of death and mothering. The conversation explores the realities women face in the funeral industry, from juggling demanding work schedules with motherhood to navigating issues like breastfeeding, childcare, and workplace support. Amanda sha...

n this monologue episode of Death And, Victor M. Sweeney takes on a listener-submitted video — a bishop's directives tightening up Catholic funeral practice — and works through it clip by clip, weighing each ruling against his own years as a funeral director. He traces the faith's three-part rhythm of vigil, mass, and burial, explaining why folding a eulogy or a pre-mass visitation into that seque...

In this episode of "Death And," licensed mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with funeral director and restorative artist Contessa King to explore the art and science of restoring the dead. They discuss how Contessa became fascinated with postmortem reconstruction, her use of medical prosthetics, silicone, and techniques borrowed from plastic surgery and special effects, and why she believes fam...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with architect and craftsman Brent Hull to explore the intersection of death and architecture. Their conversation weaves through the ways our built environments, especially homes, reflect our values, philosophies, and the narratives we leave behind. Brent discusses the loss of craftsmanship and meaning in mo...

In this episode of "Death And," licensed mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with retired journalist Jon Tevlin to talk about life, loss, and starting over. The conversation weaves through Jon Tevlin's decades-long career in journalism, his travels around the world, and the two very different lives he’s lived. They candidly explore the impact of caring for a spouse with a chronic illness, the re...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney reflects on how families and friends can play a meaningful role in funerals and grief work. He tells poignant tales of families who found healing and meaning by participating in the physical acts surrounding a loved one’s death—like helping with transport or carrying the urn—emphasizing that these tangible gestures cr...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with fellow funeral director and professor Dominick Astorino. The conversation kicks off with personal stories about what drew each of them to undertaking, touching on how reverence and the intangible pull of the profession influence their work. Dominick shares his expertise on restorative art and the crucial role embalmers play...

In this episode of "Death And," Victor M. Sweeney sits down with fellow mortician and funeral director Patrick Lynch to explore the theme of what it means to be part of a multi-generational funeral home. Patrick Lynch shares stories from his family's decades-long tradition of serving Michigan families in their hardest moments. The morticians delve into the deeper "why" behind funeral service—compa...

In this reflective episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney spends a late evening exploring the theme of "Death and Choices." Victor invites listeners to consider the profound decisions faced at the end of life, including healthcare directives, the ethics of withholding care, and the balance between quality and quantity of days. He shares real stories from his work...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney shares readings from his book, Now Departing: A Small Town Mortician on Death, Life, and the Moments In Between. Victor discusses the process and philosophy behind writing and designing his book, emphasizing how its physical qualities mirror his approach to death care. True to his storytelling roots, Victor M. Sweeney...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with Leili McMurrough, President of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. The conversation digs into what it takes to become a funeral director today, highlighting how most students are first-generation and many have never even attended a funeral before pursuing an education in the field. Leili shares her uni...

In this episode of Death And, funeral director Victor M. Sweeney takes the show on the road — or rather, back to its roots — recording from the quiet of his funeral chapel after a busy stretch in the real world. The episode is titled "Death and Death," and for good reason: Victor shares an unedited recording of a presentation he gave to the Arrowhead Funeral Directors Association in Duluth, Minnes...

In this episode of "Death And," undertaker Victor M. Sweeney sits down with longtime friend and pilot Paul Anderson to delve into the world of death and skydiving. Their conversation weaves between the adrenaline-charged experiences of flying and jumping out of planes, and the ever-present awareness of mortality that comes with these pursuits. Paul reflects on how embracing risk—both in the air an...

In this episode of "Death And," funeral director Victor M. Sweeney takes listeners on a solo exploration, reflecting on his own tendency toward magical thinking despite being a natural skeptic. Victor shares personal stories from the funeral home that reveal how small moments of coincidence, ritual, and whimsy can bring comfort in the face of loss. He discusses the professional ethics of mortuary...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney welcomes psychologist and author Dr. Liz Scott to grapple with the big question of death and what comes next. The conversation revolves around the concept of “annihilation” and the fear of nothingness after death, contrasting Victor’s steady belief in an afterlife with Dr. Scott’s journey from near-terror to near-acceptance of mortality....

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney tackles the challenging theme of death and toxic families, addressing a complex listener question about navigating family conflict during a funeral. Victor reflects on the realities of fractured relationships that surface when a loved one dies and the surprising frequency of family drama in his profession. He shares s...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with Laura Jaye Cramer, founder of Candlelight Magazine, to explore the world of grief resources and the power of connection in navigating loss. The conversation centers on Laura’s personal story of losing both her father and brother to suicide in quick succession, and how those experiences inspired her to create a grief periodi...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with James Arrowood, CEO of Alcor Life Extension Foundation, to explore what cryonics actually is—preserving the viability of cells after death for possible future resuscitation—while busting myths about “raising the dead.” James explains how Alcor operates as a nonprofit dedicated more to scientific progres...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney welcomes birder and conservationist Nick Lund for an engaging exploration of the intersection between death and birdwatching. The conversation takes flight with observations about vultures—often unfairly maligned for their association with death—and the crucial role they play in the ecosystem. Victor and Nick swap sto...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with Manish Agrawal, MD, an oncologist and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, to explore the intersection of death and psychedelics. Their conversation goes far beyond the mechanics of psychedelic drugs, delving into how psychedelic-assisted therapy helps people find meaning in the face of terminal illness and existential anxiety. Dr. A...

In this episode of "Death And," undertaker Victor M. Sweeney unpacks the intricacies of funeral etiquette and why our presence at funerals matters. He educates on topics like • Should you attend a funeral for someone you weren’t particularly close to? • Is it appropriate to bring kids to a funeral or visiting hours? • Should you send flowers or make a donation? • What is appropriate funeral attire...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney tackles the theme of "Death And The Inevitable," inviting listeners to join him in an honest discussion about planning for their own funeral and confronting the certainty of death. Victor fields thought-provoking questions from listeners, sharing the history of funeral portraits, insights into what happens at the mome...