Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying

Christina Holohan - Celebration of Life Event Planner, End-of-Life Doula, and Grief Coach

”Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted” breaks the silence around death and focuses on understanding grief, celebrating legacies, end-of-life planning, and providing families with a roadmap of support, practical resources, and emotional guidance when needed. More than a podcast - we’re your partner in navigating life’s most profound transitions with dignity, love, and purpose.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 15 - Grieving a Pet Is Real Grief: The Hidden Sorrow of Disenfranchised Grief

    Grieving a Pet Is Real Grief: The Hidden Sorrow of Disenfranchised Grief Episode Overview In this deeply personal, solo episode, Christina sets the body-disposition series aside for a story much closer to home: pet grief. She shares the story of Floki, the bearded dragon who became her emotional support during one of the hardest stretches of her life, and of Vanilla, the dog who shaped over a decade of it. Along the way, she introduces the concept of disenfranchised grief, why pet loss is so often dismissed as "lesser," what not to say to someone grieving a pet, and how to actually show up for them. She closes with her now-full house of animals, a reflection on how pets show us their emotions if we pay attention, and a direct message: no one gets to decide how much your pet meant to you. Timestamped Highlights 0:48 – Cold Open: Floki 6:09 – Floki, Present 7:05 – Reflection: What Floki Gave Me 8:17 – Disenfranchised Grief & Pets 10:23 – What Not to Say / How to Actually Support Someone 15:49 – Vanilla's Reunion 18:37 – Vanilla's Passing 19:43 – The Full House 20:40 – They Feel Us Too 21:36 – The Thesis 22:08 – Listener Challenge & Sign-Off Resources Mentioned Doka, K. J. (Ed.). (1989). Disenfranchised grief: Recognizing hidden sorrow. Lexington Books. Blue Cross (UK) Pet Bereavement Support — bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss The Ralph Site — Disenfranchised Grief — theralphsite.com Human Animal Bond Trust (Denver) — free weekly pet loss support groups — petlossdenver.org CSU Argus Institute — in-person and individual pet grief support — vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus Humane Colorado Pet Loss Resource Center — hotlines, reading lists, and more — humanecolorado.org Iam's Pet Loss Support Resource Center — 888.332.7738 ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline — 800.946.4646, pin #140-7211 Listener Challenge Think of one pet, yours or someone else's, whose loss never really got its due. Do something small on purpose to give that grief a place to exist: say their name out loud, reach out to someone who's grieving, or simply light a candle. It doesn't need to be a grand gesture. It just needs permission. A Note on This Episode This episode is more personal storytelling than our usual consumer-education format. If you're grieving a pet right now, present or past, please know your grief is valid, and support is available. See the resources above, including free local Colorado support groups. Connect with Christina Celebration of Life, Colorado celebrationoflife-colorado.com information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com 720-792-7774 Subscribe & Follow If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a topic you'd like covered? Reach out using the contact information above.

  2. Aug 5

    Ep 14 - What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 5: Alternative Disposition Methods

    What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 5: Alternative Disposition Methods Episode Overview This episode continues the What Happens to the Body After Death series with a look at disposition methods beyond traditional burial and cremation. Christina walks through the mushroom burial suit and a related option, a coffin grown from mycelium, tree pod burial, reef burial, memorial spaceflight, and whole-body donation, including a look at Colorado's own State Anatomical Board program. Along the way, she flags which claims are backed by independent evidence and which are still unverified marketing language and closes with a few thoughts on how different faith traditions approach these choices. Timestamped Highlights 00:50 – Welcome back and a recap of the What Happens to the Body After Death series 02:16 – The Mushroom Burial Suit: origin story, how it works, and the unverified toxin-neutralizing claim (plus the Living Cocoon mushroom coffin) 05:31 – Tree Pod Burial: the real cremation urn versus the still-conceptual full-body pod 07:22 – Reef Burial: turning cremated remains into a living reef with Eternal Reefs 09:27 – Memorial Spaceflight: Celestis's four destinations, from Earth Rise to Voyager 11:42 – Whole Body Donation: how it works nationally, plus Colorado's State Anatomical Board program 15:10 – Questions to Ask a Provider 16:27 – A Word on Faith 17:51 – Closing thoughts and listener challenge Resources Mentioned Coeio — Infinity Burial Suit — https://coeio.com Loop Biotech — Living Cocoon — https://loop-biotech.com/product/living-cocoon/ Capsula Mundi — https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/ Eternal Reefs — https://www.eternalreefs.com/ Celestis Memorial Spaceflights — https://www.celestis.com/ Anatomical Board of the State of Colorado — CU Anschutz Medical Campus — https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/state-anatomical-board Science Care — https://www.sciencecare.com/ Listener Challenge Pick one method from today's episode, just one, and spend ten minutes looking into whether it's available where you live. A lot of these options are closer than people assume. Questions for Providers Reef burial: Does the quoted price include the family's boat trip and dedication ceremony, or is that billed separately? Memorial spaceflight: Which destination are you buying, and does the capsule return to your family afterward or not? Mushroom suit: What independent testing, if any, backs up the product's specific claims? Tree pod: Are you purchasing a cremation urn or something else? Marketing language on some sites can blur that line. Whole body donation: What are the disqualifying conditions, and how and when are remains returned to the family? Across the board: Ask for a clear, itemized price list before signing anything. Connect with Christina Celebration of Life, Colorado celebrationoflife-colorado.com information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com 720-792-7774 Subscribe & Follow If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a topic you'd like covered? Reach out using the contact information above.

  3. Jul 29

    Ep 13 - What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 4: Terramation (Human Composting)

    What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 4: Terramation (Human Composting) Episode Overview In this episode of Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted, Christina continues the series What Happens to the Body After Death with a look at human composting, also known as natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation. Christina walks through how the process works, what families can and cannot include in the vessel with their loved one, and a surprising piece of history: decades before today's human composting facilities existed, a completely different (and ultimately unsuccessful) freeze-drying process called promession tried to solve the same problem. The episode also covers Colorado's specific legal history, current costs, provider eligibility limits, and how several faith traditions are responding to this still-evolving option. Episode Highlights 00:45 – Introduction and series recap 01:46 – The process, in plain terms: the vessel, straw, wood chips, and alfalfa 02:51 – What families can and cannot place in the vessel with their loved one 04:52 – What to do with the soil 05:34 – The laying-in ceremony 08:13 – Promession 09:59 – Public health and the people who do this work 10:36 – Where human composting is legal, and what providers can't accept (like radiation treatment) 11:18 – The human composting law and history 12:13 – Human composting and no embalming or chemicals 13:38 – Law and cost: Colorado as the second state to legalize 15:44 – Questions to ask a human composting provider 17:08 – Faith 19:48 – Closing thoughts on human composting Questions to Ask a Provider What organic materials do you use in the vessel, and how long does the full process take from start to finish? Exactly how much soil can we expect to receive, and what are our options if we don't want all of it back? Do you screen for medical conditions or treatments that might make someone ineligible, and when should we ask? What happens to any soil a family chooses not to keep? (Look for a clear answer: conservation partnership, farm donation, or otherwise.) Do you offer a laying-in ceremony or another way for family to be present before the process begins? Can you provide a clear, itemized price list before we commit to anything? A Note on Accuracy Two corrections came up in researching this episode that are worth naming directly. First, some published research on Colorado's human composting law cites House Bill 20-1060 (2020) as the law that legalized the process here. That bill never passed; it was postponed indefinitely in a Senate committee. The law that legalized human composting in Colorado is Senate Bill 21-006, signed by Governor Polis on May 10, 2021. Second, SB21-006's effective date is sometimes reported as August 8, 2021. Based on the bill's own text and Colorado's constitutional rule (effective 90 days after the legislative session's final adjournment, which was June 8, 2021), the correct effective date falls in September 2021, not August. Listener Challenge Have one conversation, just one, with someone you love about what they'd want. Not the whole plan. Just the conversation. Resources & Citations Colorado General Assembly. Senate Bill 21-006: Human remains natural reduction soil. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-006 Colorado General Assembly. House Bill 20-1060: Natural organic reduction human remains [failed]. http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb20-1060 Office of Governor Jared Polis. (2021, May 10). Governor Polis signs bills into law. https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/5136-governor-polis-signs-bills-law Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Promession. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promession Recompose. (2026). Who we are. https://recompose.life/who-we-are/ The Natural Funeral. (2026). Terramation (natural organic reduction). https://www.thenaturalfuneral.com/natural-organic-reduction-body-composting/ National Catholic Register / EWTN. (2023, March 23). US bishops: Human composting and alkaline hydrolysis disrespect the human body. https://www.ncregister.com/cna/us-bishops-human-composting-and-alkaline-hydrolysis-disrespect-the-human-body Boston, R. (2022, October 12). Islamic official provides reminder of the ‘do no harm’ principle. Americans United for Separation of Church and State. https://www.au.org/the-latest/articles/composting-muslim-response/ Connect with Christina Celebration of Life, Colorado Website: celebrationoflife-colorado.com Email: information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com Phone: 720-792-7774

  4. Jul 22

    Ep 12 - Special Guest Episode Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People A Conversation with Dr. Cynthia X. Pan

    Ep 12 - Special Guest Episode Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People A Conversation with Dr. Cynthia X. Pan Hospice & Palliative Care Physician | Author | Medical Educator Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying Episode Overview In this special guest episode, host Christina, Certified Death Doula, Thanatologist, and Celebration of Life Event Planner, pauses the "What Happens to the Body After Death?" series to welcome a truly extraordinary guest. Dr. Cynthia X. Pan is a hospice and palliative care physician with decades of experience at the bedside of the dying, a medical educator, and the author of Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People (Rice Water Publishing, November 2024). This conversation is warm, honest, and deeply human, covering humor, fear, cultural perspectives on dying, the power of advance care planning, and the vital role of death doulas in end-of-life care. If you have ever wondered how to face the end of life with courage, clarity, and even laughter, this episode is for you.   Episode Highlights 1:00 - Christina’s recorded introduction to Dr. Pan and her book, Exit Strategies 6:00 - Dr. Pan is introduced within the interview 6:32 - Laughter in the face of death: Dr. Pan shares how humor breaks tension in hospital rooms and creates real connection between families 8:00 - A moving story about a patient's favorite song, played in her final moments before being disconnected from life support 9:00 - The "pain macarena", a patient's husband's unforgettable story that captures the unexpected lightness that can exist even in the darkest moments 10:00 - The art of difficult conversations: how Dr. Pan guides overwhelmed families through end-of-life discussions with compassion 11:00 -   Holding compassion while maintaining healthy boundaries and a non-judgmental presence 12:00 -   Why being present at end-of-life is a privilege, and the importance of embracing these sacred moments 13:00 - A story about a colleague who avoided difficult family conversations, and how Dr. Pan learned to train herself to be prepared for anything 15:00 - The intersection of clinical care and grief: where are the biggest gaps between a patient's medical reality and a family's holistic needs? 15:30 - Chinese proverbs, scripture, and the wisdom traditions that help patients and families find peace and make meaning 16:00 - Fear, the meaning of life, and what quality of life truly looks like at the end 17:00 - The importance of time, for healing, for forgiving, and for saying what needs to be said 18:00 - Rewriting the end: how creative approaches like "live funerals" shift the narrative from fear to profound connection 19:00 - A physician in China who staged his own funeral while still alive, and what he discovered in the reflection that followed 20:00 - Dr. Pan references the film Rental Family, a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of end-of-life connection (see Resources below) 22:00 - The role of the death doula: bridging the gap between doulas and palliative care teams for seamless, collaborative patient support 23:00 - Dr. Pan's desire to learn more about death doulas and explore cross-cultural collaboration, including language barriers and cultural considerations 24:00 - The advance care planning crisis: most of Dr. Pan's patients arrive without any plan in place, and why this is a profound disservice to patients and families 27:00 - How death doulas spend time with patients and what that presence means at the end of life 29:00 - When it is too late: patients without advance care plans who can no longer speak for themselves 30:30 - The Caregiver's Compass: the most important guidance Dr. Pan offers families navigating the end-of-life journey 32:00 -   Fear lives in our heads, and how we hold ourselves back from living fully 33:00 -   Dr. Pan's ABCs of survival: A, accept what you cannot change, B, Breathe, C, connect; stay connected through community and collaboration 36:00 - Dr. Pan shares how The Art of Living helped her recover from COVID and reconnect with herself 37:00 -   Where to find Dr. Pan, her book, website, and social media 38:00 - Christina’s closing outro   About Dr. Cynthia X. Pan Dr. Cynthia X. Pan is a Harvard and Weill Cornell-trained hospice and palliative care physician with more than 30 years of experience caring for terminally ill patients. She is Chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the founding director of NewYork-Presbyterian Queens' palliative care program — which has helped thousands of seriously ill patients and their families. As a Chinese American physician born in Taiwan and raised in Latin America, Dr. Pan brings a rich multicultural perspective to end-of-life care. She holds fellowships in both the American College of Physicians (FACP) and the American Geriatrics Society (AGSF), sits on the Board of Directors of the Chinese American Medical Society, and is a passionate advocate for culturally humble, patient-centered care. Her personal experience with COVID-19 gave her a profound new understanding of serious illness from the patient's perspective — one that deeply informs her work and her writing.   Education & Training: BA — Harvard University MD — Stony Brook University School of Medicine Residency — University of Rochester Medical Center Geriatrics Fellowship — Harvard Medical School Division on Aging   Selected Awards & Recognition: Clinician of the Year — Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2003 Patient-Centered Care Award, Physician Champion — NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, 2017 Exceptional Women in Medicine Award — Castle Connolly, 2019–2021 Top Doctor, Hospice & Palliative Medicine — Castle Connolly Regional, 2021 Top Doctor — New York Magazine, 2015 & 2021   About the Book Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People by Dr. Cynthia X. Pan Publisher: Rice Water Publishing Publication Date: November 13, 2024 Format & Pricing: Paperback $18.99 | eBook $9.99 | Hardcover $26.99 | Audiobook available Pages: 313   End of life still has life in it. Part practical guide, part heartwarming collection of stories, Exit Strategies equips readers with the lessons and tools to face end-of-life decisions with confidence, compassion, and even laughter. Dr. Pan covers everything from advance directives and difficult family conversations to live funerals, cultural customs, music, food, and what it means to leave a lasting legacy. Available from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Chapters, Indigo, BAM!, IndieBound   Resources Mentioned in This Episode Dr. Cynthia X. Pan Website: cynthiaxpanmd.com Instagram: @cxpan5 Facebook: cynthia.x.pan X (Twitter): @CXPan55 YouTube: @cynthiapan360 LinkedIn: cynthia-x-pan-539b5517 Doximity: Dr. Cynthia X. Pan   The Art of Living Dr. Pan referenced The Art of Living as a resource that supported her recovery and well-being during and after COVID. Founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living is a global organization offering evidence-based programs in meditation, breathwork, and wellness. Website: artofliving.org/us-en   Rental Family (Film) Dr. Pan referenced this film during our conversation about live funerals and the human need for connection at the end of life. A touching and thought-provoking watch for anyone exploring end-of-life themes.   Advance Care Planning Resources CaringInfo.org, caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/colorado — free Colorado-specific advance directive forms from the National Alliance for Care at Home ColoradoAdvanceDirective.com, Colorado-specific resources, Colorado professionals dedicated to improving advance care planning tools and processes, including the MOST form Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — cdphe.colorado.gov/advance-care-planning — the state's official advance care planning resource Your Listener Challenge Dr. Pan's message is clear: these conversations cannot wait. This week, we invite you to sit quietly with one of the questions below and write your answer down. You do not need to share it with anyone. This is for you. What matters most to me at the end of my life? Who do I want by my side? What music would I want played to honor my life? Do I want my pets with me? What does a good death look like to me?   Start with just one. That is enough to begin. Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider Inspired by this conversation, here are some important questions to bring to your next medical appointment or family discussion: What does comfort-focused care look like for my specific situation? What hospice and palliative care options are available to me or my loved one? How can a death doula support my family alongside the medical team? Work With Christina Christina Holohan is a Certified Death Doula, Thanatologist, and Celebration of Life Event Planner serving the Denver metro area and beyond. Whether you are planning a meaningful farewell, navigating end-of-life decisions, or simply want guidance on how to approach these conversations, Christina is here to help. Website: celebrationoflife-colorado.com Phone: 720-792-7774 Email: information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com   Subscribe & Connect If this episode moved you, please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Every review helps this podcast reach more people who are ready to have these conversations. Find Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts.

  5. Jul 15

    Ep 11: What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 3: Water Cremation (Aquamation)

    Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying Hosted by Christina Holohan, Certified Death Doula, Thanatologist, and Celebration of Life Event Planner | Celebration of Life, Colorado Episode Description Water plays a very different role in death care than fire does. In this episode, Christina moves the series from flame to water, exploring water cremation, also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis. She walks through what the process involves, addresses the biggest misconception head-on (no, it is not “dumping remains down the drain”), and shares a firsthand account from her own tour of a Colorado water cremation facility. Along the way: what changes for the workers who no longer face flame cremation’s sharpest occupational hazards, what Colorado law says, what this process costs, and where faith communities currently stand on this still-emerging option. No pressure, no judgment, just the facts, gently delivered. In This Episode, You'll Learn What alkaline hydrolysis (aka aquamation or water cremation) is, and how the process works step by step Why this process is far from new, the chemistry behind it was patented in 1888 What container and urn options exist for water cremation remains, and why you may want a slightly larger urn than standard The biggest myth about water cremation, and why it does not hold up under scrutiny A public health benefit of this process that most people never think to ask about How water cremation changes the occupational risks faced by crematory staff, compared to flame cremation The environmental case for water cremation, and two Colorado providers putting it into practice Colorado's legal history with this process, and what it currently costs Six questions to ask any water cremation provider before you commit Where faith traditions currently stand on this still-evolving option Episode Highlights 0:00 Cold open — from fire to water, and why so few people have even heard of this option 1:05 The process, in plain terms: how alkaline hydrolysis works, and its surprising 1888 origin 5:15 What’s left behind, and what isn't: addressing the “down the drain” myth head-on 8:00 A public health benefit most people never think to ask about 9:00 What this means for the people who do this work: comparing occupational hazards for flame vs. water cremation staff 12:35 The environmental case, Christina's own tour of The Natural Funeral, and two Colorado providers doing this well 16:25 What you need to know in Colorado: legal history and cost 18:10 Six questions to ask any water cremation provider before you commit 19:30 A word on faith 20:40 Close, and what's coming next Resources & References Research referenced in this episode is paraphrased and cited below in APA 7 format. Direct quotations are minimal and clearly marked in the original source material. Cremation Association of North America. (n.d.). Alkaline hydrolysis. https://www.cremationassociation.org/alkalinehydrolysis.html Hansen, K. (2012). Choosing to be flushed away: A national background on alkaline hydrolysis and what Texas should know about regulating “liquid cremation.” Estate Planning and Community Property Law Journal, 5(1), 145–170. https://epj.us/volume-5 Lasnoski, K. J. (2016). Are cremation and alkaline hydrolysis morally distinct? National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 16(2), 233–242. Marsh, T. D., & Pyatt, Q. J. (2024). Maybe it's time to let the old ways die: New data on consumer preferences in death care. Wake Forest Law Review, 59(4), 909–940. https://www.wakeforestlawreview.com/2026/01/maybe-its-time-to-let-the-old-ways-die-new-data-on-consumer-preferences-in-death-care/ TalkDeath. (n.d.). Five things you didn't know about water cremation. https://www.talkdeath.com/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-water-cremation/ The Natural Funeral. (n.d.). Water cremation. https://www.thenaturalfuneral.com/water-cremation/ Be A Tree Cremation. (n.d.). Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) in Denver, Colorado. https://www.beatreecremation.com/water-cremation US Funerals Online. (2026). Water cremation (aquamation): The complete guide to alkaline hydrolysis. https://us-funerals.com/aquamation-or-resomation/ Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-135-103 (2024). https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-12-professions-and-occupations/co-rev-st-sect-12-135-103/ A note on citation accuracy: Colorado's cremation statute was renumbered in a 2024 recodification. It was previously cited as § 12-54-102 in older sources (including a 2012 law review referenced in earlier research for this episode); the current, correct citation is § 12-135-103. The substance of the law,  removing “direct exposure to intense heat” from the definition of cremation, is unchanged. Questions to Ask a Water Cremation Provider Straight from the episode — six questions worth asking before you commit to a provider: What type of system do you use, and what temperature and pressure does it run at? How long does the process take, from start to finish? Exactly what will I receive back, and in what container? Where does the resulting liquid go? Do you offer tours of your facility? Can I have a clear, itemized price list before I commit to anything? A good provider will welcome every one of these questions without hesitation. If you sense hesitation instead, that's useful information too. This Week's Listener Challenge If you have never investigated what happens to a body after death beyond “burial or cremation,” spend fifteen minutes this week learning about one option you have never heard of before. It does not have to be water cremation. Curiosity now means fewer surprises, and more genuine choice, later. Work With Christina Ready to plan ahead, or supporting someone who is? Christina offers death doula support, end-of-life planning, and Celebration of Life event design throughout Colorado. 🌸 Celebration of Life, Colorado 📍 Serving the Denver Metro Area & Colorado 🌐 celebrationoflife-colorado.com 📞 720-792-7774 📧 information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com Subscribe & Leave a Review If this episode helped you, or gave you something new to think about, subscribe to Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts, and consider leaving a review. It helps this show reach more people who are looking for these conversations. This show is for you.

  6. Jul 8

    Ep 10 - What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 2: Flame Cremation

    Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying Hosted by Christina Holohan, Celebration of Life Event Planner, Certified Death Doula & Thanatologist Cremation is now the choice of roughly three out of four Colorado families, yet most of us know surprisingly little about what happens between the goodbye and the urn. In this episode, death doula and thanatologist Christina Holohan continues the What Happens to the Body After Death series with an honest, judgment-free walk through flame cremation: how the process works, what comes home to you, why the paperwork asks about pacemakers, the people who do this work behind the scenes, and the sweeping consumer protections reshaping Colorado's funeral industry right now. No pressure, no judgment, just honest, informed conversation so you can choose with confidence. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How flame cremation works, step by step, and what cremated remains truly are Colorado's 24-hour waiting period, and why embalming is never required for cremation The casket misconception that costs families thousands, and how rental caskets work Why the cremation form asks about pacemakers: the science of battery-powered devices and heat What the newest research from Japan reveals about implant safety in modern facilities The questions you're allowed to ask: witnessing, identification protocols, and who owns the crematory The physical and emotional realities of crematory work, and why choosing a reputable provider protects workers too The scandals that changed Colorado law, and the licensing and inspection system taking full effect January 1, 2027 What direct cremation and full-service cremation cost in the Denver metro area The honest environmental picture: real numbers, practical choices, and how fire compares to other methods Episode Highlights [0:00] Welcome & The Promise of This Episode [1:45] What Happens, Step by Step [5:00] The Question on the Form: Implanted Devices [8:00] What You're Allowed to Ask For [10:00] The People on the Other Side of the Chamber [13:00] Your Rights & What's Changing in Colorado [17:00] The Environmental Picture, Honestly Told [20:00] Listener Challenge & Closing Resources & References FTC Funeral Rule, Your Rights as a Consumer https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-industry-practices-rule Colorado Office of Funeral and Mortuary Science Services (licensing, inspections & complaints) https://dpo.colorado.gov/MortuaryScience National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. (2020). Crematoria emissions and air quality impacts. https://ncceh.ca/resources/evidence-reviews/crematoria-emissions-and-air-quality-impacts Gale, C. P., & Mulley, G. P. (2002). Pacemaker explosions in crematoria: Problems and possible solutions. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 95(7), 353–355. https://doi.org/10.1177/014107680209500708 Arimoto, T., Oginosawa, Y., Ebe, K., Takahashi, M., Watanabe, E., Abe, H., Takagi, M., & Tada, H. (2025). Explosion risk of cardiac implantable electronic devices during cremation: Experimental and survey findings from Japan. Journal of Arrhythmia, 41(5), e70211. https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.70211 Woodthorpe, K., Olson, P., Robins, D., Robinson, G., McClymont, K., & Cox, S. (2026). Is human body disposal an environmental issue? Mortality. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576275.2026.2616027 Fredman, G., Blomberg, M., & Lei, U. (2020). Occupational skin cancer in a crematory operator. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 100(13), adv00176. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3533 Doughty, C. (2014). Smoke gets in your eyes: And other lessons from the crematory. W. W. Norton & Company. National Center for O*NET Development. (n.d.). 39-4012.00 — Crematory operators. O*NET OnLine. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-4012.00 PAHs stands for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the combustion byproducts mentioned in this episode. All findings referenced in this episode were paraphrased and summarized for the show. Resource: Questions to Ask a Cremation Provider From this episode, the questions any family can ask, before they ever need to: Do you own your own crematory, or do you work with a partner facility? Where will my person physically be? What is your identification process, from the moment you take someone into your care until the remains come back to the family? May our family witness the cremation if we choose to? Are your staff provisionally licensed, and are your crematory operators certified through CANA or ICCFA? How old is your cremation equipment, and what filtration does it use? What happens to medical implant metal after cremation, and where do the recycling proceeds go? If we want a viewing before the cremation, do you offer a rental casket? May I have your General Price List? (Every funeral provider must give you one, even over the phone.) A good provider will welcome every one of these questions. That's how you'll know. This Week's Listener Challenge This one has two parts. First: if you or someone you love has a pacemaker or any device with a battery inside, write it down where your important papers live, and make sure the person closest to you knows. It takes five minutes, and it protects people you will never meet. Second: contact one funeral home or cremation provider near you this week and ask for their General Price List. You don't need a reason, and you don't need to be planning anything. You are simply exercising a right that federal law gives you. And if there's a topic you'd love to hear covered on this podcast, please reach out. This show is for you. Work With Christina Are you ready to plan a celebration of life that truly honors your loved one's legacy, on your timeline, in your own way? 🌸 Celebration of Life, Colorado 📍 Serving the Denver metro area and beyond 🌐 celebrationoflife-colorado.com 📞 720-792-7774 📧 information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com Subscribe & Leave a Review If this episode helped you feel more informed and more prepared, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your words help other families find this space, and that means everything. Follow the show so you never miss an episode of Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted.

  7. Jul 1

    Ep 9. What Happens to the Body After Death? Part 1: Traditional Burial & Embalming

    Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying Hosted by Christina Holohan, Certified Death Doula & Thanatologist   Most of us think we already understand traditional burial and embalming. But when it’s time to make decisions for someone we love, the gaps in our knowledge can be costly, financially and emotionally. In this episode, death doula and thanatologist Christina Holohan opens a new series by walking through the oldest and most familiar disposition method: what embalming is, what Colorado law requires, what your rights are as a consumer, and why this remains a meaningful choice for many families. No pressure, no judgment, just honest, informed conversation so you can choose with confidence. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What embalming is, how it works, and how long it preserves the body The history of embalming, from ancient Egypt to modern funeral practice What Colorado law requires within 24 hours of death, and when embalming is and isn’t legally required How to read a General Price List and the six FTC disclosures every funeral home must provide The line items that most often surprise families, and three blind spots to watch for before you sign anything Average traditional burial costs in the Denver metro area The difference between what a cemetery requires and what state law requires Why many families still choose this path, and why that’s a valid, meaningful choice The rise of restorative art and green embalming alternatives The environmental impact of traditional burial and why land scarcity matters Episode Highlights [0:00] Welcome & Series Introduction [3:15] What Embalming Is [10:40] What Colorado Law Says [16:20] Caskets, Vaults & Cost Reality [28:00] Why Some Families Still Choose This Path [33:10] Where the Practice Is Headed   Resources & References FTC Funeral Rule, Your Rights as a Consumer https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-industry-practices-rule   FTC Complying with the Funeral Rule (Plain Language Guide) https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/plain-language/565a-complying-with-funeral-rule_2020_march_508.pdf   AgeWise Colorado, When Your Loved One Dies in Colorado https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/when-your-loved-one-dies-in-colorado/   Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Death Certificates & Vital Records https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vital-records   Ajileye, A.B., Duere, P.O., & Esan, E.O. (2024). Human Embalming in the 21st Century. Journal of Experimental Research, Vol. 12, No. 3. All findings referenced in this episode were paraphrased and summarized for the show.   Resource: The FTC General Price List, 16 Items That Must Be Itemized The FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to provide a General Price List itemizing prices for up to 16 specific goods and services:   Forwarding remains to another funeral home Receiving remains from another funeral home Direct cremation price ranges Immediate burial price ranges Basic services of the funeral director and staff Transfer of remains to the funeral home Embalming costs Other preparation of the body (cosmetics, dressing, washing) Use of facilities and staff for viewing or visitation Use of facilities and staff for a funeral ceremony Use of facilities and staff for a memorial service Use of equipment and staff for a graveside service Hearse rental Limousine rental Casket price range (lowest to highest) Outer burial container price range   Funeral homes cannot bundle these into packages without also offering itemized pricing, and they cannot charge for embalming without your explicit permission.   This Week’s Listener Challenge Call a funeral home near you and ask for their General Price List. They are required to provide it, even over the phone. See what you learn, and pay special attention to the Basic Services Fee. And if there’s a topic you’d love to hear covered on this podcast, please reach out. This show is for you. Work With Christina Are you ready to plan a celebration of life that truly honors your loved one’s legacy, on your timeline, in your own way?   🌸 Celebration of Life, Colorado 📍 Serving the Denver metro area and beyond 🌐 celebrationoflife-colorado.com 📞 720-792-7774 📧 information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com Subscribe & Leave a Review If this episode helped you feel more informed and more prepared, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your words help other families find this space, and that means everything. Follow the show so you never miss an episode of Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted.

  8. Jun 24

    Ep. 08 - He/She Died. Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide to the First Hours, First Decisions, and What Can Wait

    Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted | Unfiltered Discussions on Living and Dying Hosted by Christina Holohan, Certified Death Doula & Thanatologist   Someone you love just took their last breath, and somehow the world expects you to know what to do next. In this episode, death doula and thanatologist Christina Holohan sits with you in that hard, confusing space right after a loss and talks through it honestly. What needs to happen first. What can wait. And how to take care of yourself in the middle of all of it. This is not a checklist. This is a conversation, from someone who has walked alongside grieving families, to you.   In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What to do in the first hours after a death, and what you don’t have to do yet When to call 911 vs. going directly to a funeral home or cremation provider Why you need more death certificates than you think, and Colorado’s five-day registration rule Your burial options in Colorado, including green burial, water cremation, and home funerals Financial help when there are no funds, the Colorado Burial Assistance Program and who qualifies Resources for listeners outside Colorado, where to find state-by-state support Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule, what funeral homes must tell you What to know about organ and body donation in those first hours What can genuinely wait, and permission to slow down How to take care of yourself when everything feels like too much Episode Highlights [2:00] The first hours, what you do and don’t have to do right away [6:00] The first few days, practical steps, death certificates, and Colorado’s five-day rule [10:00] Your burial options, funeral homes, cremation, green burial, and home funerals [13:00] What if there are no funds, the Colorado Burial Assistance Program [15:30] Your rights as a consumer, the FTC Funeral Rule [17:00] Organ and body donation, a deeply personal decision [18:30] What can wait, and protection from pressure [21:00] Taking care of you, a moment of compassion for the one in grief Resources & References AgeWise Colorado, When Your Loved One Dies in Colorado https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/when-your-loved-one-dies-in-colorado/   Covering Kids and Families, Little Known Medicaid Benefits: Burial Assistance Program https://ckf.cchn.org/blog/little-known-medicaid-benefits-burial-assistance-program/   Colorado PEAK, Apply for Burial Assistance Online https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com   Colorado State Anatomical Board, Body Donation for Medical Research https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/anatomical-board   FTC Funeral Rule, Your Rights as a Consumer https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-rule   Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Death Certificates & Vital Records https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vital-records   USA.gov, Dealing with the Death of a Loved One (State-by-State Resources) https://www.usa.gov/death-loved-one This Week’s Listener Challenge If you are in those first days right now, your only challenge this week is to let one person help you. Just one. Text them something specific, a meal, a school pickup, a phone call you don’t want to make. Let someone show up for you. And if you have a topic you’d like to hear more about on this podcast, please reach out. This show is for you. Work With Christina Are you ready to plan a celebration of life that truly honors your loved one’s legacy, on your timeline, in your own way? 🌸 Celebration of Life, Colorado 📍 Serving the Denver metro area and beyond 🌐 celebrationoflife-colorado.com 📞 720-792-7774 📧 information@celebrationoflife-colorado.com Subscribe & Leave a Review   If this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your words help other grieving families find this space, and that means everything. Follow the show so you never miss an episode of Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted.

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”Life, Death, Grief, Unscripted” breaks the silence around death and focuses on understanding grief, celebrating legacies, end-of-life planning, and providing families with a roadmap of support, practical resources, and emotional guidance when needed. More than a podcast - we’re your partner in navigating life’s most profound transitions with dignity, love, and purpose.

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