Welcome to the LightAtTheEnd.com Podcast! In this episode, host Kevin Berk sits down with Seth Viddal, co-owner and COO of The Natural Funeral, to do a close examination of green burials, eco-friendly alternatives, and the evolution of end-of-life care. Seth shares tragic yet relatable personal stories and discusses innovative concepts like water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) and terramation (natural organic reduction), along with their benefits and implications on our environment. Discover how families can be more connected to their loved one in the process and the growing acceptance of these practices. Lastly, we cover the comparative pros, cons, and costs of burials, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation. This insightful conversation aims to demystify and normalize discussing death while offering invaluable information on how to honor loved ones sustainably and meaningfully.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:15 Personal Journey and Family Losses
08:58 Reflecting on Mortality and Career Shift
12:53 Exploring Conventional Burial and Cremation
14:55 Innovative Alternatives: Water Cremation and Terramation
21:03 Introduction to Water Cremation
23:23 Personalized and Environmentally Friendly Funerals
28:54 The Importance of Family Involvement
33:15 History and Technology of Alkaline Hydrolysis
40:46 Introduction to Terramation
46:14 Natural Organic Reduction and Its Impact
51:33 Parting Stones and Memorial Alternatives
01:03:21 Availability of Terramation and Water Cremation
01:11:22 Comparing Pros, Cons, and Costs of the Many Burial Options
01:19:02 Personal Reflections on End-of-Life Choices

Learn more about our guest, Seth Viddal and The Natural Funeral at www.thenaturalfuneral.com.