Funerals: where grief meets grudges and the family WhatsApp explodes.

We’re talking bust-ups over hymns, side-eye at the service, and who really gets the last word.

This week we’re lifting the lid on:

It’s messy, it’s maddening, it’s mortally entertaining.

And—keep your ears peeled —we’ll be sharing when and where we’ll be recording our live season finale....and revealing how  you could join us in the audience!

Happy Listening! 💀🎙💀

In this episode, Nichola sits down with Michael McWilliams for a raw and moving conversation that began in heartbreak. In 2022, Nichola led the funeral for Michael’s son Harvey — just 18 years old when he took his own life. Together, they reflect on how Harvey’s funeral became something different: deeply personal, fiercely individual, and a true celebration of who he was.

Out of tragedy, Harvey’s family have created something extraordinary — The Harvey McWilliams Foundation — a boot and kit library ensuring that local young people can play football, no matter their circumstances. A charity rooted in kindness, built in Harvey’s name, and carrying forward the encouragement he always offered to others.

This is a conversation about loss, about love, and about the power of kindness. It’s emotional, honest, and sometimes hard to hear — but above all, it’s real. Because if grief teaches us anything, it’s that even in the darkest times, we can still choose to create good.          

No doubt you’ve seen those endless TV ads for “no fuss” funerals —  the promises to save you time, money, and stress. Sounds perfect, right? Here’s the twist… it’s not actually a funeral. It’s just a cremation.

We’re not here to tell you what’s right for you or your loved one. But we are here to cut through the smoke, bust the myths, and clear up the confusion.  And here's the surprising truth? Your local funeral director has been offering direct cremations for years — they just didn’t plaster it across prime-time TV.

In this episode, we rip the satin cover off the biggest trend to hit the funeral world in decades. We’ll tell you what direct cremations really are, when they may or may not be the right option for you, and the key questions you need to ask before you sign on anyone's dotted line.

Plus, how to join us and break into the funeral industry… and the story of one ceremony where Nichola’s Rebel Heart was warmed courtesy of a bottle of red! 

So you’ve got the bones of the ceremony … now what?

In this episode, we’re getting into the good stuff — the personal touches that turn a standard service into something unforgettable. From picking the perfect song (no, it doesn’t have to be Eva Cassidy and yes it can be Ring of Fire) to wrangling family tributes that actually hit the mark, we’re talking about how to shape a ceremony that truly tells your person’s story.

And is it ever acceptable to drop the F-bomb at a service... and we don't mean the word funeral! 

Tune into episode 3 for all the answers!

Co-Hosts Carl and Nichola were invited for chat on the BBC Radio Tees Breakfast Show. They explained their thoughts behind the concept, why they wanted people to understand that they have choices when their loved ones pass and why they felt that funeral myths needed to be busted!

Your loved one has passed.... Who do call, what should you be asking and why you don't need to be scared...

Following a stuttering start the guys have their relaunch episode for you to start delving into the realms of the UK Funeral Industry.

Co-Hosts Nichola Reeder, an Independent Celebrant and Carl Tate, a long standing and respected Funeral Director have teamed up to try and open up the inner workings of the funeral industry to try and Demystify and Debunk Urban Myths for anyone interested in knowing what happens and what choices families have when their loved ones pass. We will have hints and tips alongside guest speakers along the way associated with the industry. 

This is all done around a kitchen table with a few beers so there's a lot of humanity, some light hearted relief and the odd interruption from the family lurcher or myself trying to keep them on track and sounding great... a hard task!

We hope this is illuminating, informative and enjoyable for you and please do spread to word and remember to subscribe!

Thanks Steve Reeder - AKA Producer Steve!