In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Allen, a funeral director and grief educator, for an honest conversation about grief, loss, and how we show up for one another.

Jeremy shares a grounded perspective on supporting people through difficult moments, especially in farming communities where emotions are often left unspoken.

Together, we explore the difference between being prepared and being ready, and why grief isn't always about death. We discuss what to say (and what not to say), and how simply being present can make a lasting impact.

If you've ever felt unsure how to support someone through loss — or how to face it yourself — this episode is for you.

"People don't need you to have the perfect words, they just need to know you're willing to stay." - Jeremy Allen

Resources Mentioned During This Episode

• Death Ed - Grief and Loss Education
• Brene Brown - The Power of Vulnerability
• Dr. Alan Wolfelt - Mourning & Healing
• The Emotion Wheel
• Bright Track Consulting

About Our Guest

Jeremy Allen is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and manager of Gregory's Funeral Home in Provost, Alberta, but his work reaches far beyond the walls of a funeral home. Jeremy is a passionate advocate for transforming the way we understand death, grief, and the healing power of mourning.

• Contact Jeremy
• Visit the Dead Ed. Website
• Follow Jeremy on Instagram
• Follow Jeremy on Facebook

Elaine Froese Resources:

• Watch this episode on YouTube.
• Visit the podcast website
• SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event
• COACHING - explore Farm Transition Coaching
• MEMBERSHIP - become a Farm Family Transition Member
• FREE STUFF - downloadable tools for your farm transition
• CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition
• BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here

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Timestamps

00:30 - Introduction to Jeremy Allen and the focus on grief in farming communities 02:37 - Jeremy's background in funeral service and grief education 03:39 - The difference between being involved in funerals and speaking about grief 08:30 - Personal story of grief and the importance of having documents in order 11:09 - Generational perceptions of emotion and the evolution toward emotional intelligence 16:30 - The significance of meaningful funeral rituals and community celebrations 20:37 - How relationships shape grief and legacy in farm families 23:33 - Celebrating the life of Dorothy and the power of storytelling in funerals 28:46 - Embracing vulnerability for deeper connections and trust 31:32 - How to normalize emotions and foster honest dialogue in families 37:22 - The significance of kindness and acknowledgment in funeral and grief contexts 41:59 - Contrasting emotions in grief and how they coexist simultaneously 49:07 - The importance of showing up and being present in loss 51:04 - Practical tools for initiating honest conversations and deepening relationships 52:43 - Jeremy's resources and how to connect online