Tag: funeral

EOLPodcast

Ep. 555 Funeral Photography as an Act of Service and Love with Nell Aburto

kwyattmd

Learn about the value of preserving photographic memories of funeral services for grief and bereavement.

About my guest:

Today’s guest is Nell Aburto, a portrait photographer based in Minneapolis MN who offers funeral and memorial photography, which is largely unheard of in this industry. She discusses why people might want to consider hiring a photographer for a funeral service, the benefits of having a photographic record of such a celebration, and what it’s like to work in this profession. Learn more at her website:

mnfuneralphotography.com

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

In this episode:

  • How Nell was inspired to specialize in funeral photography
  • Why it’s nearly impossible for family members to take photographs of a funeral or memorial service
  • How it is still considered taboo by some people to take photos at funerals
  • The benefits she experiences from this work
  • How photographs are an important part of family history
  • How funeral photography can help us normalize death as part of life
  • Why funerals can be a time of transformation and healing

Links mentioned in this episode:

Resources:

Related episodes:

Other links:

Transcript:

Nell Aburto InterviewDownload
EOLPodcast

Ep. 475 Tree vs. Tombstone: Better Place Forests with Gillian Nye

kwyattmd

Learn about a beautiful, sustainable option for disposition of ashes after death at the base of a memorial tree.

My guest Gillian Nye has served at the Forest Memorials Manager at Better Place Forests for the past 6 years. She helps families create meaningful, nature-centered ceremonies that honor their loved ones in a unique and sustainable manner. She will tell us how and why to choose a special tree as a memorial for ourselves or those we love. If you love trees (as I do) and want to learn about sustainable options for disposition after death don’t miss this conversation! Learn more at the website:

betterplaceforests.com

YouTube Channel

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • The story behind how Better Place Forests got started
  • Where the forests are located
  • The process for choosing a memorial tree (online or in-forest)
  • Reforestation of other forests through partnership with Arbor Day Foundation
  • How families can return over time to visit the tree they’ve chosen
  • Examples of nature-centered ceremonies that have taken place in the forests
  • How families benefit from choosing a tree as a memorial (rather than a tombstone)
  • The “spreading grove” as a less-expensive forest option for disposition

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. Also thank you to James M. Schultz for buying me a cup of coffee and to Sue Julian who joined the $10 for 10 Years Campaign! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 341 Burial at Sea and Other Sacred End-of-Life Rituals with Olivia Bareham

kwyattmd

Learn about the beauty of full-body burial at sea and why it is becoming a more popular alternative.

My guest Olivia Bareham is a certified Death Midwife, Home Funeral Guide, Interfaith Minister and Funeral Celebrant. She is the founder of the Sacred Crossings Institute, which provides education for death midwifery and home funeral support and of the Sacred Crossings Funeral Home. Today she discusses full-body sea burials and other unique alternatives she offers at her funeral home. Learn more at the website:

www.sacredcrossings.com

Read the transcript here.

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • How Olivia first became interested in home funerals
  • How Olivia is “paying forward” the mentoring she received as she was learning about home funerals
  • Death as a teacher and a gift
  • What inspired Olivia to start an alternative funeral home
  • What is full-body sea burial
  • How families and loved ones can participate in a sea burial
  • How to plan a full-body sea burial
  • Who might consider a sea burial for themselves or for a loved one
  • How Olivia facilitates rituals for families of ICU patients who are being taken off life support
  • How stillbirth services help parents with their overwhelming grief

Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Register for Q&A Session with William Peters on At Heaven’s Door here

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu! Your contributions make all the difference.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 317 It’s Your Funeral! A “Fun” Guide to Planning for the End with Kathy Benjamin

kwyattmd

Learn about a helpful and humorous workbook for funeral planning.

My guest Kathy Benjamin is a freelance writer whose work has appeared on various sites including Uproxx, Playboy’s The Smoking Jacket, and Cracked.com. She is the author Funerals to Die For and the recently released It’s Your Funeral: Plan the Celebration of a Lifetime Before it’s Too Late. She shares how she got interested in writing about funerals and some of the fascinating facts she’s learned over time about the importance of funerals throughout history and across all societies. We also discuss her set-by-step guide to creating a great funeral. Connect with Kathy at her website:

www.KathyBenjamin.com

Get It’s Your Funeral here.

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • How Kathy got inspired to write two books about funerals
  • How she did research for the topics in the book
  • Why funerals are important and how it helps to plan one in advance
  • Some of the components of a good funeral to consider in your planning:
    • Venue
    • Funeral roles
    • Theme
    • Eulogy
    • Burial options
  • Interesting funeral traditions from around the world
  • Challenges for funeral planning during the pandemic
  • Why It’s Your Funeral could be a good humorous gift for a milestone birthday
  • How to use the book to get started on planning your funeral now

Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Follow Kathy on social media:
    • Facebook: facebook.com/kab18
    • Twitter: @KathyBenjamin

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu! Your contributions make all the difference.