In this episode, our guest A shares their journey into the funeral industry, discussing their early fascination with death, the challenges faced during training, and the impact of corporate culture on the profession. Guest A recounts personal experiences, including a troubling incident involving a family member's burial, and highlights the toxicity prevalent in the industry. The conversation also touches on the role of education, mentorship, and the influence of social media on perceptions of death care. Ultimately, A expresses hope for a more inclusive and compassionate future in the funeral industry.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to the Funeral Industry Journey

01:54Training Experiences in Mortuary Services

04:41Personal Stories and Family Experiences

09:48Corporate Culture and Its Impact

14:22Toxicity in the Funeral Industry

19:26The Role of Education and Mentorship

24:10The Influence of Social Media on Mortuary Practices

28:47Reflections on Personal Experiences and Future Aspirations

Takeaways

• A's interest in the funeral industry began in high school.
• Training in mortuary services can vary greatly in quality.
• Personal experiences can deeply affect one's view of the industry.
• Corporate culture often prioritizes profit over family care.
• Toxic work environments are common in the funeral industry.
• Education does not always prepare students for corporate settings.
• Social media influences perceptions of the funeral profession.
• Mentorship is crucial but often lacking in the industry.
• There is a need for more diverse voices in funeral care.
• Personal connections to death can be a source of strength.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

This episode of Exposing Deathcare, Melissa delves into the troubling culture within the funeral industry, highlighting issues such as burnout, harassment, and gatekeeping. The host shares personal stories and experiences from various professionals in the field, emphasizing the need for transparency and support. The conversation reveals the systemic problems that lead to professionals feeling isolated and powerless, and calls for a collective effort to address these issues and create a healthier work environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Crisis in Death Care

02:26 The Culture of Silence and Fear

04:34 Sexual Harassment in Funeral Homes

07:44 Gatekeeping and Professional Development

10:31 The Impact of Burnout and Retaliation

13:11 Whistleblowing and Its Consequences

15:25 Personal Experiences and Systemic Issues

17:31 The Cost of Speaking Out

19:51 Finding Support and Healing

22:07 Conclusion: The Need for Change in the Industry

Takeaways

The funeral industry is facing a crisis of burnout and turnover.

Many professionals feel afraid to speak out about their experiences.

Sexual harassment is a significant issue in funeral homes.

Gatekeeping prevents new professionals from gaining necessary skills.

Whistleblowers often face retaliation and career-ending consequences.

The culture of silence in the industry harms both workers and families.

Support and mentorship are crucial for professional growth.

Personal stories highlight the emotional toll of working in death care.

The need for systemic change in the funeral industry is urgent.

Speaking out is essential for healing and reform.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

In this episode of Exposing Death Care, host M. Melissa and guest Lauren Seeley discuss the troubling issues surrounding pet funeral services, including recent scandals that have eroded trust in the industry. They explore the Vareb Funeral Home scandal, where thousands of pet remains were improperly disposed of, and other notable cases that highlight the lack of oversight in pet cremation services. The conversation also delves into personal experiences in the pet funeral industry, offering insights on how pet parents can choose trustworthy services and protect themselves from scams.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pet Funeral Scandals

02:10 The Vareb Funeral Home Scandal

11:53 Loving Care Pet Funeral Service Controversy

16:49 We Care Pet Cremations: A Disturbing Case

22:25 The Aftermath of Pet Loss

23:59 Personal Experiences in Pet Funeral Services

34:20 Lessons Learned from Trust and Betrayal

43:02 Choosing a Trustworthy Pet Funeral Home

44:59 Support for Grieving Pet Parents

51:41 The Legal Recognition of Pets as Family

53:36 The Emotional Impact of Pet Loss

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

Takeaways

The Vareb Funeral Home scandal involved the improper disposal of pet remains.

Trust in pet funeral services has been eroded due to scandals.

Pet parents should ask questions and seek transparency from funeral homes.

Documentation and tracking of cremated remains are essential.

Visiting the cremation facility can provide peace of mind.

Pets are considered family, not property, in the eyes of grieving owners.

There is a lack of regulation in the pet funeral industry.

Personal experiences can inform better practices in pet care.

Grieving pet parents deserve dignity and respect during their loss.

Researching and asking for recommendations can help in choosing a service.

Episode Summary

*In this episode, Our Guest M and Your Host M discuss shocking experiences at a family-owned funeral home where a toxic culture, unsafe practices, and unethical behavior were rampant, even to the point of putting her life on the line.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

Exposing Deathcare Season 2 Episode 2 with Our Guest K

I’m Your Host M, and this is Exposing Deathcare.

This episodes dives deep into the heart of Texas, and showcases the disparities between locations amongst familial owned firms.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

This episode dives into the absolute nightmare that was the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado. Imagine trusting a funeral home with your loved one, only to find out they never cremated them—or worse, buried the wrong body. That’s exactly what happened to dozens of families, and it’s even more horrifying than it sounds.

Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners, were running a total scam—taking money for cremations that never happened, handing out fake ashes (spoiler: it was concrete dust), and letting nearly 190 bodies rot in a building. This doc breaks down the shocking details, the heartbreaking fallout for the families, and how these two finally got caught. With fraud charges, a $950 million lawsuit, and new laws being put in place because of this mess, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.

If you’re into true crime with a side of WTF, you don’t want to miss The Curious Case of the Funeral Home of Horror.

Exposing Deathcare - Season 2 Teaser

They say the funeral industry is built on dignity, honor, and respect. But what happens when the truth is far from it?

I’m Your Host M, and this is Exposing Deathcare.

Season 2 drops in February, and this time, we’re turning our attention to how the funeral industry is portrayed in the media. From documentaries to dramatizations, what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what are they still not telling you?

Our first episode takes a deep dive into The Curious Case of..., an HBO Max series that unearths shocking real-life scandals. We’ll dissect the episode, expose the realities behind the headlines, and connect it to what families experience every day.

But let’s be clear—not all funeral homes are bad. Many professionals work tirelessly to serve families with compassion and integrity. This podcast isn’t about attacking the industry as a whole; it’s about exposing the dark corners where families are misled, manipulated, and taken advantage of. Because when you’re grieving, you deserve the truth, not deception.

This season, we’ll hear firsthand accounts from families who have lived through funeral nightmares, and we’ll break down the horror stories portrayed in the media to help you separate fact from fiction—and make informed choices when it matters most.

Stay tuned. Subscribe. And be prepared to learn what they don’t want you to know.

"**Exposing Deathcare. Season 2 drops February 4, 2025.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

This is S1E12, a sharing of the lost interview about The Mushroom Burial Shroud and how it fools people to this day.

Originally available only on Patreon

Episode Summary

*In this episode, Our Guest William and Your Host Melissa SHAKE it up a bit for the conclusion of Season 1. This episode is all about mental health, grief, and how others react to a colleague in crisis.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician

Episode Summary

*In this episode, Our Guest N and Your Host M discuss the consumer side of deathcare. Where ethics should be considered, selling packages over needs, and the environmental element of funerary choices.

Connect with Us

Stay connected and follow us for updates, discussions, and more:

• Tiktok: @exposingdeathcare
• Instagram: @exposingdeathcare
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Story

We encourage our listeners to share their own experiences. Your story could help shed light on issues within the funeral industry and support others who might be going through similar situations. You can share your story anonymously via email or dm.

Music Credits

Music for Exposing Deathcare podcast is Exit Strategy by Enlia.

Support the Podcast

If you find value in our podcast, please consider supporting us by following, liking, rating, and sharing. Your support helps us continue to bring these important stories to light.

Disclaimer

The stories shared in this podcast are based on personal experiences and are shared anonymously to protect the identities of those involved. Listener discretion is advised.

Hosted by Melissa Meadow, the Modern Mortician