Dear Psychopomp: Let's Talk About Death

Whisper into the void..

Pope Francis, death, rituals, funerals, grief, healing, traditions, memorialization, transitions, ceremonies

In this conversation, Anne-Marie discusses the significance of rituals and ceremonies in marking transitions, particularly in the context of death and funerals. She emphasizes that funerals serve the living, providing a space for communal grieving and honoring the deceased. The discussion also explores modern methods of disposition, such as green burials and aquamation, and the importance of creating personal rituals for healing and remembrance.

takeaways

• Rituals and ceremonies provide structure and meaning during transitions.
• Funerals are primarily for the living, not the deceased.
• You are not obligated to attend a funeral if it is emotionally charged.
• There are various modern methods of disposition, including green burials and aquamation.
• Creating personal rituals can aid in the grieving process.
• Music serves as a universal language for expressing emotions.
• Daily journaling can be a helpful ritual for reflection.
• Memorial plants can keep the memory of loved ones alive.
• Rituals can be personal, cultural, or communal in nature.
• Honoring emotions through creative expression is vital for healing.

Chapters

00:00
The Importance of Rituals in Transition

08:39
Understanding Funerals and Death Rituals

12:57
Modern Disposition Methods and Their Significance

16:33
Creating Personal Rituals for Grief and Healing

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

guided meditation, impermanence, self-discovery, mindfulness, breathing techniques, relaxation, mental health, spirituality, personal growth, meditation

In this episode, Anne-Marie leads a guided meditation focused on embracing the present moment and reflecting on the impermanence of life. Through a series of breathing exercises and visualizations, listeners are encouraged to connect with their bodies, acknowledge their mortality, and find peace in the transient nature of existence. The meditation culminates in a journey of self-discovery, inviting participants to explore their inner selves and consider their relationships with life and death.

takeaways

• Guided meditation can serve as a distraction from the political climate.
• Being present in the moment is essential for mental well-being.
• Each breath is a reminder of our existence and vitality.
• Impermanence is a natural part of life that can bring freedom.
• Imagining a red door symbolizes opportunities for self-discovery.
• Meditation helps in connecting with one's higher self.
• Reflecting on mortality can inspire meaningful life changes.
• Living with the awareness of death can enhance appreciation for life.
• The meditation encourages forgiveness and release of burdens.
• Engaging in mindfulness practices can foster personal growth.

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

Becky Robison (she/her) is a writer living in Louisville, Kentucky. A graduate of UNLV’s Creative Writing MFA program, her work has appeared in Salon, Slate, Business Insider, and elsewhere. She’s also the mind behind My Parents Are Dead: What Now?—a project that aims to help people navigate the dizzying labyrinth of post-death bureaucracy based on her own experience. Her book My Parents Are Dead: What Now? A Practical Guide to Your Life After Their Death is forthcoming from Quirk Books in 2026

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

In this week's solo episode, we dive into what you can reasonably expect from life, from yourself, from others, and from loss.

Then I ramble for a bit about things I'm passionate about because I don't want anyone to feel like they're alone.

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

In this episode, I have the opportunity to sit down with Joél Simone Maldonado and squee in her presence.  We talk about her career, her story, her opinions, and so much more.  

Joél Simone Maldonado, affectionately known as The Grave Woman, brings over a decade of groundbreaking expertise and innovation to the fields of end-of-life, death and grief care. As a sacred grief care practitioner, licensed funeral director and embalmer, award-winning educator and speaker, Joél is dedicated to empowering professionals, organizations and governmental agencies to create and implement culturally sensitive protocols and inclusive practices that honor diverse cultures and traditions. She serves on the Board of Directors for Compassion & Choices, is the co-chair of the organizations DEIB committee and volunteers with the African American Leadership Council and is the host of The Death & Grief Talk Podcast. 

Joél is most proud of being the founder and lead instructor of The Multicultural Death & Grief Care Academy which specializes in providing culturally sensitive continuing education resources and training for professionals, leaders and teams; empowering them to navigate end of life, death and grief care with compassion and competence. The Multicultural Death & Grief Care Academy is the go to resource and training ground for those in the health, death and grief care industry seeking a meaningful professional change of pace.  

Joél’s insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including both the New York & LA Times, NPR, Inside Edition, Glamour Magazine, Good Housekeeping and many others where she has shared key perspectives on the importance of cultural competency in funeral service. Additionally, Joél has a robust speaking history, having presented at prestigious industry events such as the American Society on Aging Annual Conference (2025), Teracon (2025),  the National Funeral Directors Association International Convention & Expo (2024), the Super Death Care Conference (2024), The Green Burial Conference (2021), and many other prominent gatherings in the death care industry.

You can find her online by searching for "The Grave Woman"

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

Sit down with Lou and I as we talk about being the Glass Child, loss of a sibling, and recreating ourselves one day at a time.

Lou Bowers  is an award-winning marketer. She has been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines, including She Owns It And Get Griefy magazine. 
Lou was recently featured on a billboard in Times Square during the launch of a book she co-authored Resilient AF stories of resilience Volume 2. She loves thrift shopping, hanging out with her kids, hiking and paddle boarding, and she'll never turn down an oat milk latte.

Find Anne-Marie online at www.dearpsychopomp.com or [email protected]

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

This day, I really felt like I needed a parent. 

We also go over creating a foundational belief system to help with not being afraid of death.

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

Paula Jane Newman sits down with me to talk about using humor through grief, and why laughter is the best medicine.

Paula can be found online at paulajanenewman.com

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

Come with me on a journey to help remember what is really important to you, and what you can let go of.

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp

Whisper into the void..

Join myself and Tony Lynch as we discuss grief, loss, inspiration, and life.

Find this episode on your favorite podcast platform or click here:

https://linktr.ee/dearpsychopomp

Tony Lynch is an amazing soul doing amazing things - he can be found online at 

Insta: mensgriefsupport

FB: Tony Lynch, Global Grief Network, Grief Let's Talk About It podcast

YouTube: Grief Let's Talk About It podcast

or on LinkedIn: Tony Lynch 

you can also visit his website at www.mensgriefsupport.org

You can find me online at Linktr.ee/DearPsychopomp