Death: A Changing Industry

achangingindustry.com
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to "Death: A Changing Industry," the podcast that explores the evolving landscape of the funeral industry. In each episode, we delve into the various facets of the industry, from the latest viewpoints from various experts to the emotional and psychological aspects of death and bereavement.

  1. 1D AGO

    What 43 Years in Funeral Service Taught Me About Grief

    With 43 years in funeral service and a deep commitment to supporting bereaved families, Don Burstow shares the personal journey that led him into the profession and the philosophy that continues to guide his work today.The conversation explores how the funeral profession is changing, from the rise of direct cremation and the decline of traditional religious funerals to what Don describes as a growing “mourning-avoidant” culture. Together they discuss the importance of slowing down to face grief, the role of community and ritual, and Don’s guiding framework for supporting families through loss: the Four R’s — realise, remember, receive, and release. ⸻🙌 OUR SPONSORSPrincipal SponsorNational Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (https://nafd.org.uk)A progressive and inclusive voice for the funeral profession and bereaved people across the UK, the NAFD leads with integrity, advocacy, and education.GreenAcres (https://greenacresgroup.co.uk/)With six beautiful Living Memorial Parks across the UK, GreenAcres offers families natural, uplifting places to reflect, remember, and reconnect with those they’ve lost.FuneralBranch (https://funeralbranch.com/)FuneralBranch websites help funeral directors rank higher in search, clearly present their services, accept online payments, and convert early interest into meaningful enquiries.Westerleigh Group (https://westerleighgroup.co.uk/)Westerleigh Group provides high-quality cremation services in calm, thoughtfully designed spaces, putting care, respect, and choice at the heart of every farewell.MuchLoved (https://muchloved.com/)MuchLoved helps families create lasting online memorials. A place to share memories, light candles, and honour lives with love and connection.⸻📌 ABOUT THE PODCASTDeath: A Changing Industry explores the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of funerals, bereavement, and remembrance.

    26 min

  2. 1D AGO

    What’s Really Happening Inside Australia’s Funeral Industry?

    In this episode of Death: A Changing Industry, I sit down with Luke Gregson, funeral director and Junior Vice President of Funerals Australia, at his family funeral home on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.We discuss the future of Australia’s funeral profession — from staffing shortages and industry wages to regulation, direct cremation, and the importance of ceremony in supporting healthy grief. As families seek greater control and expectations shift, is the profession at a crossroads?⸻🙌 OUR SPONSORSPrincipal SponsorNational Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (https://nafd.org.uk)A progressive and inclusive voice for the funeral profession and bereaved people across the UK, the NAFD leads with integrity, advocacy, and education.GreenAcres (https://greenacresgroup.co.uk/)With six beautiful Living Memorial Parks across the UK, GreenAcres offers families natural, uplifting places to reflect, remember, and reconnect with those they’ve lost.FuneralBranch (https://funeralbranch.com/)FuneralBranch websites help funeral directors rank higher in search, clearly present their services, accept online payments, and convert early interest into meaningful enquiries.Westerleigh Group (https://westerleighgroup.co.uk/)Westerleigh Group provides high-quality cremation services in calm, thoughtfully designed spaces, putting care, respect, and choice at the heart of every farewell.MuchLoved (https://muchloved.com/)MuchLoved helps families create lasting online memorials. A place to share memories, light candles, and honour lives with love and connection.⸻📌 ABOUT THE PODCASTDeath: A Changing Industry explores the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of funerals, bereavement, and remembrance.🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Subscribe for new episodes

    16 min

  3. FEB 7

    A Five-Star Approach to Farewell with Asha Dooley

    In this episode of Death: A Changing Industry, I sit down with Asha Dooley, Funeral Director at Grace Funerals and President of Funerals Australia, at her family funeral home located in Sydney, Australia.⸻🙌 OUR SPONSORSPrincipal SponsorNational Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (https://nafd.org.uk)A progressive and inclusive voice for the funeral profession and bereaved people across the UK, the NAFD leads with integrity, advocacy, and education.GreenAcres (https://greenacresgroup.co.uk/)With six beautiful Living Memorial Parks across the UK, GreenAcres offers families natural, uplifting places to reflect, remember, and reconnect with those they’ve lost.FuneralBranch (https://funeralbranch.com/)FuneralBranch websites help funeral directors rank higher in search, clearly present their services, accept online payments, and convert early interest into meaningful enquiries.Westerleigh Group (https://westerleighgroup.co.uk/)Westerleigh Group provides high-quality cremation services in calm, thoughtfully designed spaces, putting care, respect, and choice at the heart of every farewell.MuchLoved (https://muchloved.com/)MuchLoved helps families create lasting online memorials. A place to share memories, light candles, and honour lives with love and connection.⸻📌 ABOUT THE PODCASTDeath: A Changing Industry explores the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of funerals, bereavement, and remembrance.🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Subscribe for new episodes

    46 min

  4. FEB 6

    Forget the rules. This is what makes a funeral sacred.

    In this episode, we talk to Chad Rynehart, a former Anglican minister turned funeral director, to explore the changing role of religion, grief, and community. From his personal journey out of organised religion to the authentic, human-centred approach he now brings to funerals, this conversation offers profound insights into why traditional structures no longer serve everyone and what we can do instead.We talk about the power of gathering, the importance of shared experiences, and how creativity and compassion can transform how we grieve. Whether you’re religious, spiritual, or neither, this episode will move you, challenge you, and offer hope.Topics Covered: Why more people are turning away from organised religion How funerals can be more personal and meaningful The spirituality in football, community, and everyday connection How to help loved ones face death and grief openly Finding faith in humanity beyond religious institutions

    30 min

  5. JAN 22

    Inside the Essex Lorry Tragedy

    In 2019, 39 people lost their lives after being found in a lorry in Essex, having travelled illegally from Vietnam to the UK.Funeral director Edward Cutler shares the emotional, ethical, and logistical reality of being entrusted with bringing them home — and the weight of responsibility that comes with it.⸻👤 ABOUT THE GUESTEdward Cutler is a London-based funeral director known for his compassionate care and leadership in complex international repatriation cases, including the 2019 Essex tragedy.He runs a family-owned funeral business dedicated to dignity, transparency, and service at life’s most difficult moments.🔗 https://www.slatersinternational.co.uk/⸻🙌 OUR SPONSORSPrincipal SponsorNational Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (https://nafd.org.uk)A progressive and inclusive voice for the funeral profession and bereaved people across the UK, the NAFD leads with integrity, advocacy, and education.GreenAcres (https://greenacresgroup.co.uk/)With six beautiful Living Memorial Parks across the UK, GreenAcres offers families natural, uplifting places to reflect, remember, and reconnect with those they’ve lost.FuneralBranch (https://funeralbranch.com/)FuneralBranch websites help funeral directors rank higher in search, clearly present their services, accept online payments, and convert early interest into meaningful enquiries.Westerleigh Group (https://westerleighgroup.co.uk/)Westerleigh Group provides high-quality cremation services in calm, thoughtfully designed spaces, putting care, respect, and choice at the heart of every farewell.MuchLoved (https://muchloved.com/)MuchLoved helps families create lasting online memorials. A place to share memories, light candles, and honour lives with love and connection.⸻📌 ABOUT THE PODCASTDeath: A Changing Industry explores the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of funerals, bereavement, and remembrance.

    27 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    What Really Happens During Cremation?

    This groundbreaking episode of Death: A Changing Industry removes the mystery around cremation in the UK, showing every respectful stage of the process, from the hearse arrival to the final committal, care of the deceased and the final release of the ashes.Alan José, a pioneer in public crematorium open days since 1977, shares why transparency matters and addresses the most common myths surrounding cremation. With no real deceased used in the demonstration, this is a powerful and sensitive walkthrough for both the public and professionals. Discover:– What happens to a coffin from start to finish– How identity is safeguarded at every stage– The environmental care behind modern cremation– Why ceremonies and grief rituals matter– Options for ashes and legal guidanceThis episode has been recorded with the kind permission from Westerleigh Group at Mercia Forest Crematorium.Filmed and Produced by SMASHCAT Media (info@smashcat.co.uk)

    40 min

  7. 10/20/2025

    Grief Isn’t a Problem to Solve. It’s a Truth to Feel. (Nicola Marshall)

    Grief brings a storm of emotions and that’s normal. In this powerful conversation with Nicola Marshall, we explore what real support looks like after a death: holding space, listening more than we speak, and resisting the urge to “fix”. Nicola shares candidly about losing her son Lucas, how community showed up, and why emotional honesty (for adults and children) is essential to healing.We discuss:• Practical ways friends, neighbours, teachers and employers can support after the funeral.• Why “I’m here” beats perfect words.• Children’s grief: age-appropriate truth, safety and questions.• The body keeping the score and unpicking old trauma.• Human connection vs AI “comfort” — and why presence matters.• Self-care, boundaries, and building a grief-literate society.This is an honest, deeply moving episode that reminds us that grief isn’t to be hidden or hurried, it’s to be honoured.🙌 OUR SPONSORS National Association of Funeral Directors: https://www.nafd.org.uk/ Westerleigh Group: https://www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/ Obitus: https://www2.obitus.com Laurelo: https://laurelo.co.uk/ Howden: https://www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/small-business/by-business-type/funeral-sector/?int=10805 MuchLoved: https://www.muchloved.com/

    41 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    What Can a 15-Year-Old Teach Us About Grief? (April Commons)

    April Commons has never met her sister, Lola, who died before birth, but she has always known her.In this powerful conversation, April, just 15 years old, shares what it’s like growing up in a family where grief is open, honest, and part of everyday life.She speaks with remarkable clarity about “secondary grief,” the importance of honesty with children, and why wrapping young people in bubble wrap often does more harm than good.From helping at bereavement retreats to supporting classmates who quietly share their own losses, April shows that young people understand far more than we often give them credit for.🙌 OUR SPONSORS National Association of Funeral Directors: https://www.nafd.org.uk/ Westerleigh Group: https://www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/ Obitus: https://www2.obitus.com Laurelo: https://laurelo.co.uk/ Howden: https://www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/small-business/by-business-type/funeral-sector/?int=10805 MuchLoved: https://www.muchloved.com/

    16 min
See All (66)

Trailer

About

Welcome to "Death: A Changing Industry," the podcast that explores the evolving landscape of the funeral industry. In each episode, we delve into the various facets of the industry, from the latest viewpoints from various experts to the emotional and psychological aspects of death and bereavement.

Information

  • Creator
    achangingindustry.com
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © achangingindustry.com
  • Show Website
    Death: A Changing Industry