Dying to Know More

Ashley Haugen

Let's start at the end. No one talks about death, and yet it's something we're all going to do at some point. I'm dying to know more about all facets of death, so that's why I made this podcast. From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to morticians, I'm talking to them all.

  1. Jul 18

    Dan the Funeral Man on Going Viral, Funeral Myths, and Putting the Fun in Funeral

    If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, there's a good chance you've come across Dan the Funeral Man strutting down a short red carpet with an urn in hand. What started as a creative way to talk about death care has turned into a viral phenomenon, complete with runway walks, millions of views, and a growing mission to make conversations about death a less intimidating and more relatable. In this episode of Dying to Know More, I sit down with funeral director, celebrant, and entrepreneur Dan Madden, owner of Stark Funeral Home and founder of Fash Urns, to talk about his unexpected rise on social media and what it's like balancing viral fame with the realities of serving grieving families every day. Dan shares how a part-time job at a funeral home after his grandmother's death led to a career in funeral service, why he took a risk by bringing humor and fashion into a traditionally serious profession, and how messages from strangers remind him that talking openly about death can genuinely help people move through grief and start to heal. We also dive into the mental health challenges funeral directors face, the criticism he's received from within the profession, and why he believes death care needs more transparency. And of course, we couldn't let him leave without a lightning round of funeral myths and questions. Are graves really six feet deep? Is embalming required? Can you bury someone in your backyard? Do bodies really sit up during cremation? Dan answers these questions and more and separates fact from fiction. Whether you're curious about the funeral industry, fascinated by viral creators, or simply interested in having a healthier relationship with mortality, this conversation is insightful, funny, and surprisingly uplifting. Where to find Dan: URL: Danthefuneralman.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/danthefuneralman/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@danthefuneralman FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-the-Funeral-Man/61562932233221/

  2. Jun 29

    HK Lee Makes the Case for Conservation Burial

    What if the most environmentally friendly thing you ever do happens after you die? In this episode of Dying to Know More, we talk with HK Lee, founder of Aeon Woods Conservation Cemetery, about her mission to create the first conservation natural burial cemetery in New York's Hudson Valley. She explains how natural burial differs from traditional burial and cremation, why abandoned cemeteries may hold unexpected opportunities, and what it takes to protect hundreds of acres of land while creating meaningful spaces for remembrance. From a family history stretching back 30 generations in South Korea to a bold vision for the future of death care here in the United States, HK shares why she believes conservation burial isn't just about how we die, but how we care for the world we leave behind. If you've ever wondered whether our final resting place can benefit both people and the planet, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Aeon Woods: Website: https://www.aeonwoods.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/aeonwoods FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Aeon-Woods/61576785975492/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@UCpmPVAJNLJfSVvZk24_BFBg

  3. Jun 14

    70% of Americans Have No Estate Plan. Jill Mastroianni Works to Change That.

    Seventy percent of Americans have no estate plan at all, but according to estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni, the biggest mistake isn't having the wrong documents. It's assuming everyone needs the same plan. In this episode of "Dying to Know More," Jill breaks down the estate planning basics most people never learn, including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. She explains why estate planning isn't just for wealthy families, how a lack of preparation can create major challenges for loved ones, and why organizing information may be just as important as creating legal documents. We also dive into special needs planning, common misconceptions about probate, and the inspiration behind Jill's Death Readiness Playbook, a practical guide designed to help families avoid confusion, conflict, and scavenger hunts during life's hardest moments. SHOW NOTES: URL: https://www.deathreadiness.com/ IG: thedeathreadinesspodcast FB: Death Readiness Advance Directive Forms: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/

  4. Apr 25

    What the Dying Teach Us About Living

    What can people facing the end of life teach the rest of us about living right now?  In this episode of Dying to Know More,  palliative care chaplain Cody Hufstedler shares what he’s learned from hundreds of deathbed conversations as well as the intimate conversations he's had with terminal patients on his podcast, "Dying to Tell You."  We also talk about grief, terminal illness, fear of death, finding meaning at the end of life, and how talking openly about death can help us live more intentionally. If you’re curious about end-of-life wisdom, hospice conversations, or living with purpose, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more honest conversations about death, grief, and what it means to truly live. Find Cody online at: dttypodcast.com Instagram: @dttypod   Youtube: @dttypod     Facebook: dttypod Tiktok: dying.to.tell.you

  5. Apr 12

    Grief, Guilt, and Letting Go: A Raw Conversation About Suicide Loss

    What happens when grief hits all at once, and how do you survive it? In this episode of Dying to Know More, author Samantha Rose shares the raw, disorienting reality of losing her mother to suicide and the unexpected ways she found healing. An Emmy Award-winning writer and bestselling author, Samantha Rose talks about her memoir Giving Up the Ghost: A Daughter’s Memoir, a powerful exploration of loss, love and the journey to healing — all with a touch of humor. Learn how Samantha navigated a season of compounded grief, including divorce, cancer, her mother’s sudden death, and the isolation of COVID, and how those experiences reshaped her understanding of survival. She shares what it’s really like to lose someone to suicide, including the shock, guilt, anger, and unanswered questions that follow. Samantha also reflects on the tools that helped her heal, from therapy to writing, and the deeply personal and surprising ways she continued a relationship with her mother after her passing. This is a conversation about grief, but also about resilience, connection, and learning how to live again. If you’ve ever wondered how people survive the unimaginable, or you’re navigating grief yourself, this episode offers honesty, comfort, and perspective you won’t hear in everyday conversations. Purchase Giving Up the Ghost: A Daughter's Memoir at https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Up-Ghost-Daughters-Memoir-ebook/dp/B0DPN6JP58 Learn more about Samantha Rose at the following: https://www.yellowskymedia.com/my-story IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantharose_writer FB: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.rose.90813/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharoseswartz

  6. Mar 27

    Pet Loss Grief? There’s a New App for That!

    What happens when success no longer feels meaningful and grief changes everything? In this episode, we talk with entrepreneur-turned-death doula Phil Benavides, who walked away from a thriving tech company after experiencing multiple personal losses during COVID. What followed was a complete life pivot, one that led him into the world of grief support, end-of-life care, and ultimately, building a groundbreaking platform to help people navigate the loss of a beloved pet. Phil shares powerful insights into the emotional complexity of choosing euthanasia, what a “good death” can look like for our pets, and how simple, intentional moments can make all the difference. They also dive into the inspiration behind Remembrance, the new app designed to connect grieving pet owners with real humans who understand their pain, exactly when they need it most ... even if it's at 2 a.m. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why pet loss can feel just as painful as losing a person • The concept of “disenfranchised grief” and why it matters • How to know when it’s time to say goodbye to your pet • What actually helps people process grief (hint: it’s not articles) • How peer support and pet tech is reshaping the future of pet grief care Check out Remembrance Pets here: https://remembrancepets.com/

  7. Mar 27

    It's Not "Just a Pet": The Silent Stigma of Pet Loss with Koryn

    When we lose a human loved one, society rolls out a "red carpet" of support. Meals are delivered, bereavement leave is granted, and our grief is validated. But when a "soul dog" or a beloved feline companion passes, pet parents are often met with silence, awkwardness, or the dismissive sentiment that it was "just an animal." In this episode, we talk with Koryn Greenspan, a certified pet loss bereavement specialist and end-of-life pet doula. After a 13-year career in the pet industry and the profound loss of her own soul dog, Georgia, Koryn founded The Parted Paw to fill the void in how we support those grieving a pet. In this episode, we explore: • The "Hierarchy of Species": Why the clinical definition of bereavement doesn't distinguish between humans and animals, and why your grief is 100% valid. • Anticipatory Grief: Navigating the "limbo" when a pet is aging or in palliative care. • Practical Support: What to actually say (and what not to say) to a friend who has lost a pet. • The Digital Gut-Punch: How social media memories can complicate the healing process and why we need better "digital boundaries" for grief. Whether you are currently navigating the loss of a pet, supporting a friend, or working in the animal care industry, this conversation offers a safe space to acknowledge that love is love and loss is loss. Website: https://www.thepartedpaw.com/ Instagram: thepartedpaw_griefsupport TikTok: ThePartedPaw About the Podcast: Dying to Know More explores the complex, often hushed conversations surrounding death, dying, and the grief that follows. Hosted by Ashley Haugen, we aim to educate and empower listeners to lean into the uncomfortable parts of life with grace and curiosity. Subscribe for more episodes.

  8. Mar 10

    Cremation ... By Water? Philip Flores, Jr., on Aquamation

    More families are asking about water cremation, but very few people actually understand how it works. In this episode of Dying to Know More, we talk with Philip Flores, Jr., a pioneer in the aquamation industry, about the science, ethics, and growing demand for this environmentally conscious option. We discuss: • The real process behind alkaline hydrolysis • Why water cremation produces lighter, finer remains • Environmental benefits compared to flame cremation • Why awareness is rapidly increasing • How families are memorializing loved ones in new ways If you’ve heard the term “green cremation” and want to know what it really means, this episode will answer your questions. Find out more about Philip Flores Jr. and Cremation by Water at: 🌎: https://www.cremation-by-water.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cremationbywater/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/cremationbywater YT: https://www.youtube.com/@UCShB3ojb5U6JoLlWCgRouDg TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@cremationbywater

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About

Let's start at the end. No one talks about death, and yet it's something we're all going to do at some point. I'm dying to know more about all facets of death, so that's why I made this podcast. From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to morticians, I'm talking to them all.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Haugen
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ashley Haugen
  • Show Website
    Dying to Know More