This Is Nashville

Our Evolving Rituals Around Death


Listen Later

Death rituals take different forms from what we would call a standard funeral. Cultures honor the lives of those who have passed away in diverse ways. Sometimes services depend on spiritual beliefs and practices. Other times, the service or remembering is held long after the honoree has transitioned.

On this episode, we dive into the history of death and burial in the south, explore what some would call uncommon death rituals and perhaps broaden our perspective on how we can honor the dead.

But first, we talk to artist Ndume Olatushani about his current mixed media exhibit at American Baptist College focusing on lynching.

This episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley.

Guests:

  • Ndume Olatushani, artist and activist

  • Dr. Kris McCusker, MTSU Professor, Oral Historian, and author of Just Enough to Put Him Away Decent

  • T.J. Broady, Funeral Director, Terrell Broady Funeral Home

  • John Christian Phifer, Director, Larkspur Conservation

  • Jamie Seals, Hospice Chaplain, Aveanna

  • Hear an intimate story at Larkspur Conservation in this piece.

    Learn more about Ndume in this article from Nashville Scene.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    This Is NashvilleBy WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    58 ratings


    More shows like This Is Nashville

    View all
    Fresh Air by NPR

    Fresh Air

    38,567 Listeners

    The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

    The New Yorker Radio Hour

    6,803 Listeners

    Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

    Hidden Brain

    43,606 Listeners

    The Book Review by The New York Times

    The Book Review

    3,965 Listeners

    On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti by WBUR

    On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

    3,978 Listeners

    Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

    Travel with Rick Steves

    2,509 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    113,521 Listeners

    It's Been a Minute by NPR

    It's Been a Minute

    9,111 Listeners

    Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda by Alan Alda

    Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

    3,760 Listeners

    Throughline by NPR

    Throughline

    16,457 Listeners

    The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

    The Ezra Klein Show

    16,418 Listeners

    The Interview by The New York Times

    The Interview

    1,599 Listeners

    NashVillager by WPLN - Nashville Public Radio

    NashVillager

    44 Listeners

    This Old House Radio Hour by American Public Media

    This Old House Radio Hour

    101 Listeners

    Sources & Methods by NPR

    Sources & Methods

    858 Listeners