In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney invites woodworker John Enger, to chat about the deep connections between death and woodworking. They explore how working with wood—living material that must die to become something new—mirrors the cycle of life and loss, especially in the creation of caskets and urns. John shares how the death of his father-in-law led him to leave his journalism career and pursue woodworking full-time, emphasizing the lasting legacy of handmade objects compared to more ephemeral work. Listeners also get to hear Victor M. Sweeney answer audience questions about grief, cemetery space, and how empathy plays a role in caring for the dead. Throughout the episode, their friendship and mutual curiosity highlight the beauty, impermanence, and meaning found at the intersection of crafting with wood and facing mortality.

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