In this conversation, Frank Vazquez shares his journey of grief and loss after the death of his close friend, Tim. The conversation highlights the importance of safe friends and the impact they can have on our lives. Frank reflects on his friendship with Tim and the deep connection they shared. The conversation also explores the responsibilities of being a safe friend and the profound effect of Tim's passing on Frank's life. The episode concludes with a call to action to be a safe friend and cherish the moments we have with our loved ones.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Frank Vazquez
04:36 The Importance of Safe Friends
09:48 The Friendship Between Frank and Tim
11:55 Discovering Tim's Terminal Illness
14:16 The Impact of Tim's Illness on Frank
18:01 Responsibilities of a Safe Friend
21:21 The Profound Effect of Tim's Passing
23:11 The Importance of Being a Safe Friend
25:05 The Honor of Holding a Loved One's Hand in Their Last Moments
25:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

Plan your visit to the museum today at nmfh.org and take a journey through over 30,000 square feet of fascinating history.

Subscribe to The Final Curtain Never Closes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this episode Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez hosts Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America (WAA).

They delve into honoring fallen veterans, exploring WAA's inception, and its diverse initiatives, including educational programs. The conversation emphasizes the significance of commemorating our heroes and the profound impact of WAA's efforts.

For more on this cause, visit Wreaths Across America's website, engaging in honoring and learning about our nation's heroes.

Please consider sharing this episode with family and friends. And schedule your tour of The National Museum of Funeral History at nmfh.org.

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November is an action packed month here at the museum.

While the world payed homage to our dearly departed during the first two days of the month, we at the National Museum of Funeral History celebrate Dia de los Muertos all across the year.

In this episode you'll learn why relatives use donuts and sugar skulls in their celebrations. And you'll learn the meaning of flowers and toys.

We also commemorate Veterans Day this week that includes free admission for veterans. 

In this episode Genevieve dives into the story behind Veterans Day and how it's different from Memorial Day.

And if you're a veteran, you get free admission to the museum through Veterans Day (11/11/23) when you show your ID.

Plan your tour today at nmfh.org.

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What if some of your hometown's oldest, most haunted spaces were hidden in plain sight? 

What if they were so hidden, you quite literally walk and/or drive by them every day?

The hometown in question is the museum's hometown of Houston, Texas. And today's guest, Texana Tours founder Richard Cook, joins the podcast to talk about places where you'd no doubt experience things from another dimension.

Genevieve and Richard discuss the Jeff Davis Hotel (now an apartment complex) and the Donnellan Family Crypt, just two of many examples of paranormal places around the Greater Houston area.

They tie it back to the museum's larger mission to educate and inform the public about the final rite of passage that we will all experience. Death.

To learn more about Texana Tours, contact Richard HERE.

To plan your visit to The National Museum of Funeral History, go HERE.

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Host and President/CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez sits down with producer Freddy Cruz to discuss the twenty-second anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

They delve into the stories and artifacts showcased in the museum's 9/11 exhibit, which serves as a poignant tribute to the lives lost on that fateful day. 

Don't miss out on this moving conversation. Plan your visit now at NMFH.org to witness this extraordinary display firsthand.

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During this episode of The Final Curtain Never Closes, NMFH President and CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez and her husband Frank have a candid conversation about the recent loss of a personal friend.

The loss brought back painful memories from Genevieve's past, in which relatives refused to tell her about certain relatives' final days.

During this episode, you'll hear about Genevieve's and Frank's experience, why it's important to come clean about end of life struggles, and how it's just as important for your family and friends as it is for you.

While this episode is a personal glimpse inside the life of our President and CEO, it drives home the point of the museum's mission. To educate and enlighten society about the importance of the rite of passage we will all experience. Death.

Please consider visiting the museum or making a donation at nmfh.org. Thank you.

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Ask anyone who works in the death care industry and they'll tell you some version of the same thing. "I was called to do this work."

That's how Cody Lopasky ended up in the business. 

Today, he serves as the President and School Director of The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services.

During this conversation, we talk about:

1.) His journey to becoming a funeral director

2.) Why working in the funeral business is a calling

3.) How the death care industry has changed in recent years

Learn more about The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services by visiting their website.

About Cody Lepasky:

Cody Lopasky has an M.A. in Psychology and History from the University of Houston-Victoria, a B.A. in Psychology from Texas State University-San Marcos, and he is an A.A.S. graduate with honors and distinction from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. As a student at Commonwealth, Lopasky was a member of the National Funeral Service Honor Society. He is a Texas-licensed funeral director and embalmer, a certified crematory operator, and chairs the Curriculum Study Committee and the College and University Council for the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).

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Hayley Campbell writes for WIRED, Buzzfeed, The Guardian, and VICE, among many others.

She’s written a book about Neil Gaiman and her most recent book All the Living and the Dead tackles something many of us in the West struggle with: death.

During this conversation, museum president and CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez and Hayley discuss the many facets of caring for the dead. And helping the living accept mortality

Plan your visit now at nmfh.org.

Learn more about Hayley's work and buy All the Living and the Dead at hayleycampbell.com.

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This bonus episode pays tribute to Robert L. Waltrip, who passed away on February 27th, 2023.

Host and museum president/CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez is joined by museum chairman Robert M. Boetticher, Sr. They talk about Mr. Waltrip's impact on the funeral industry and museum, as well as their unique relationship with him.

Read Mr. Waltrip's obituary HERE.

To learn more about the National Museum of Funeral History, please visit NMFH.org. 

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Barrie Schwortz and Rudy Dichtl have spent the greater part of the past few decades researching and authenticating the Shroud of Turin. 

They join museum CEO and curator Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez to discuss the many things involved with studying the shroud which has captivated millions of people from all over the world. 

During this episode, you'll hear how Rudy and Barrie ended up on this project, where it led them, and the challenges they've faced along the way.

Learn more about the Shroud of Turin on Barrie's website, Shroud.com.

Be sure to visit the museum to experience our newest exhibit, The Shroud of Turin. Plan your trip and purchase tickets at nmfh.org.

And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

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