Growing up in a funeral home is more than just a "fun fact," it can provide a life-altering perspective on how to live. Growing up in her family's third-generation funeral home taught Katie Radel so many beautiful lessons about living that can only be found by witnessing death.

In this episode of Dying to Know More, host Ashley Haugen talks with Katie Radel about her unique upbringing and how she got involved in the world of natural burial at Larkspur Conservation in Middle Tennessee.

Katie explains the radical difference between the coffee-and-lilies atmosphere of a family funeral business and the serene wildflower meadows of Larkspur Conservation — and how there's space for both. We dive deep into the emotional weight of being with a loved one during their final moments, and how witnessing hundreds of funerals can actually help you live a more authentic life. This conversation offers a refreshing, non-taboo look at the one thing we all have in common and is — as Katie says — 100% happening to all of us.

Inside This Episode We Cover:
• Growing up living above a funeral home
• Driving a hearse at 16: Normalizing the industry
• How death gave Katie the courage to change her life
• The most moving "celebration of life" story Katie's experience
• The Death Positivity movement
• Why "fingernails" matter in funeral prep
• Finding "winks" from the other side

Resources & Links:
Learn about Larkspur Conservation: https://larkspurconservation.org/

Watch "Bury Me at Taylor Hollow": https://www.reelsouth.org/documentaries/bury-me-taylor-hollow

Follow Dying to Know More on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyingtoknowmorepodcast/

Check out our previous episode with Alice Sullivan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dk3NiQD8Jk&t=1s

Mandy Benoualid, founder of Keeper and Talk Death, shares what led her to reimagine and modernize the memorial space. She also shares the most popular article on Talk Death for 11 years running, her most profound experiences in this space and more. Enjoy this enlightening episode of Dying to Know More.

SHOW NOTES:
Learn more about Mandy's work at the following:
TalkDeath.com
FB: talkdeathdaily
IG: talkdeathdaily
YT: @TalkDeathDaily

MyKeeper.com
FB: keepermemorials
IG: keepermemorials
YT: @keepermemorials1124

In this episode of Dying to Know More, we welcome Ebony Leary, founder of My Sunset Doula. As a former hospice nurse and current death doula and end-of-life planning professional, Ebony demystifies the caregiving journey. We discuss the "pink flags" of cognitive decline, how families can access Medicaid funds for caregiving, and why having an advanced directive is the best gift you can leave your family. Whether you are currently a caregiver or just starting to notice your parents aging, this episode offers the roadmap you need.

Death is universal, but the way we are treated in death isn't always equal. On this episode of Dying to Know More, death and grief doula Lauren Seeley explains death literacy, specifically for the LGBTQ+, trans, and sex worker communities, marginalized groups who often face the risk of being misgendered, deadnamed, or "erased" by estranged biological family after they pass.

Lauren explains why a simple notarized paper might be the most important gift you ever give your loved ones and how we can all navigate the "bookends" of life with more compassion, creativity, and authenticity.

She also explains how marginalized communities can advocate for one another and ensure their chosen family aren't pushed out of the funeral room.

Connect with Lauren Seeley:Workshop: LGBTQ+, Trans, and Sex Worker End-of-Life & Death Literacy (Partnering with International Doula Life Movement)

Date: February 5th, 7 p.m. Eastern (Virtual/Recorded)

Tickets here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3NYZK61⁠

Lauren's socials:

IG: @ahhsweetdeath

YT: ⁠‪@Ahhsweetdeath‬⁠​

"He was the meanest man on earth." Alice Sullivan doesn't hold back in this episode as she recounts the moment she found out her abusive father had passed away—and why she and her siblings toasted with margaritas.

But 2025 had more in store. From navigating a $17,000 "hoarder house" cleanup to receiving news of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, Alice’s story is a masterclass in compartmentalization and resilience. We explore:

• The reality of "No Contact" and the "Next of Kin" trap
• Taking a baseball bat to the past (literally)
• Why dark humor is a valid survival tool
• Finding "signs" and moving forward when you’re the new family matriarch

You can follow Alice:
On Substack: alicewritesit.substack.com
On Instagram: @alicewrites
On the web: alicesullivan.com

#griefjourney #toxicparents #childhoodtraumarecovery #resilience #dyingtoknowmore

In this deeply moving conversation, Melanie Ezell shares her experience living with stage 4 ovarian cancer since 2022 while raising her 5-year-old son Velzy. A former yoga instructor, surfer, and athlete with the BRCA1 genetic mutation, Melanie offers profound insights on mortality, motherhood, and finding peace in uncertainty. We discuss: • Why she rejects "fighting" cancer and instead seeks acceptance • How she talks to her young son about death and dying • Her spiritual journey from evangelical Christianity to a broader faith • The importance of boundaries when facing terminal illness • Her plans for end-of-life care and what she hopes comes next • Finding beauty and sweetness in the present moment • Writing a memoir as a legacy for her son Melanie's honesty about fear, pain, and the unknown—balanced with her courage and grace—offers valuable wisdom for anyone facing serious illness or caring for someone who is.

Follow Melanie's journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogasurfmel/

Visit her website: https://www.melanieezell.com/

Melanie's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mel-overcoming-cancer

Captain Steve Ferdinando never imagined he'd be scattering ashes at sea for a living. But after 20 years in the fleet lease business, a simple request from a friend changed everything and led him to found Ashes2Oceans, a company helping families say goodbye on the water.

In this episode, Captain Steve shares:

✦ How his first sea burial went hilariously (and perfectly) wrong

✦ The unexplainable moments that happen during almost every ceremony — including a dolphin that defied everything he knows about marine life

✦ The legal and environmental requirements for sea burials (yes, there are rules)

✦ Why more people are choosing ocean burials over traditional funerals

✦ What to know if you're considering this for yourself or a loved one Whether you're drawn to the ocean, curious about alternative funeral options, or just want to hear stories that remind you life (and death) can be beautiful, this conversation will stay with you.

🌊 Learn more about Ashes to Oceans: https://ashes2oceans.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashes_2_oceans/

When Janet Turkula lost her father at 21, she and her siblings faced an impossible situation: planning a funeral they couldn't afford while trying to grieve. Years later, when a friend's family faced the same struggle, Janet discovered there was no modern way to help — no gift registry for funerals, just awkward Venmo pools and wilting flowers. In this episode, Janet and her co-founder Ryan Oliveira share how they created Give Willow, the first-of-its-kind funeral registry that lets communities show up for grieving families in meaningful ways. Instead of guessing what to send, friends and family can contribute to funeral costs, memorial services, or even offer time and support through a simple, dignified platform. We discuss: -- Why asking for help during loss is so difficult and how Give Willow makes it easier -- The surprising costs of death that families aren't prepared for -- How pre-planning can protect your loved ones from impossible decisions -- The movement toward more open conversations about death and dying -- What's next for Give Willow, including pre-planning tools and educational resources Whether you've experienced loss, want to support someone who has, or simply want to plan ahead for your own family, this conversation offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective on how technology can help us navigate one of life's hardest moments.

RESOURCES:

GiveWillow.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/givewillow/