This year marks 150 years since Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne cremated Baron De Palm in Washington, PA. It has come a long way since then to become the number one form of disposition. Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of The Cremation Association of North America joins Ben to talk about the four eras of cremation history and where it may be going.

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When Effie's dad died in 2018, she had no idea what to do other than Google "how to plan a funeral." Her journey led her to start Afterword a company that has now expanded into AI assisted funeral arrangements that earned them the 2025 National Funeral Directors Association Innovation Award.

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Did you know there is an Uber-style app for headstone restornation and repair? Us either! Ben interviews Artem Manilov founder of the the Tending app that families can use to fix up their distant headstones, and others can pick up some gig work!

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On this episode; a preview of current and upcoming Funeralcast interviews, hot takes on celebrity death doulas and the future of mortuary schools plus find out where the Frigid Fleet will be in May.

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Hearses are a signature symbol of funeral service. Ben is joined by the Mazzarella Family to discuss the birth and evolution of the hearse in Ohio, also known as "The Cradle of Coaches."

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In this first epidsode of The Funeralcast Fastcast, we spotlight a powerful conversation on the history of Black funeral directing with Professor Edwin Jackson, explore what Ohio’s “Cradle of Coaches” means with the Mazzarella family, and break down one of the biggest conversations in mortuary education right now — the transition of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science into Xavier University. Plus, we highlight where to find the Frigid Fleet this month and share an In Case You Missed It featuring Jennifer Lares’ new role with Funeral Service Insider and a must-read article on Colorado funeral regulations.

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Edwin Jackson is a licensed funeral director and professor who has been working to better all of our understanding of the contribution that African American funeral directors have made to funeral service history. Listen to Edwin share their incredible stories.

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Edwin's reccomended reading list

To Serve the Living: Funeral Directors and the African American Way of Death by Suzanne E. Smith  

Passed On: African American Mourning Stories, A Memorial by Karla F.C. Holloway

Black Titan: A. G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire by Carol Jenkins   

Dissertation- Undertakings: The Politics of African-American Funeral Directing by Christopher Leevy Johnson 

Ever wonder how someone becomes Funeral Director of the Year? Us too! Ben sits down with Sam James, owner of James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC who also happens to be American Funeral Director’s Funeral Director of the Year 2025.  Please rate and review the show!

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Modern mummification is very rare but very possible. The members of the Summum religious philosophy have a plan and procedure in place for members of their group who have already signed up for it. Ben talks with two licensed funeral directors, Bernie Aua and Ron Temu who have been members of of Summum since its beginnings.  Please remember to rate and review the show!

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