Funeral Disruptors‪™‬ Felicia Barlow Clar

When we met, Grayson Orphe immediately understood the intention behind Funeral Disruptors™ — from a consumers point of view. His family had recently experienced 2 losses within a matter of days, right before covid shut the world down. He knew and understood from the experience, and his role as a Minister, that something didn’t feel quite right in the funeral home.

Grayson is from Louisiana as well, and gave me a full blown explanation about their funeral processions, 2nd lines, and the music. They grieve and celebrate a life WITH INTENTION. 💜🎷

Along with his wife, he owns and operates Orphe Media Group, a business branding, graphic design, and production company. He is also a Minister, stand up Comedian and if that's not enough… he is the father of 2 sets of twins!

Patti DiMiceli exemplifies grace and courage. She is the epitome of someone who has turned grief into gratitude...and she lives life as an angel. Patti shares how living through deep darkness ⏤ losing her 4-year old daughter Amber to cancer ⏤ taught her to live again by moving forward, step by baby step, toward the Light.

Patti is an end-of-life doula, a certified grief educator and coach, as well as an entrepreneur. She creates artistic products from the photos she's taken around the world. "Embrace the Angel" is the philanthropic division of her company, which donates silk scarves, ties, and pillow covers filled with Angels and inspirational quotes to those who are dying and the loved ones they leave behind, so that they can FEEL comforted and loved.

Patti spreads her angel Amber’s message of “hope, heaven, and the miracle of life and death.”

Josh Slocum, Executive Director of the national Funeral Consumers Alliance explains how to plan ahead, shop around, and lets consumers know they are in charge, not the funeral home. How can consumers can save money during one of the most vulnerable situations? Listen in.

If you don’t know of the FCA and its many local chapters, EVERY consumer must! FCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting a consumer's right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral. Emphasizing affordable (!) Absolutely nobody should go into debt because of death.

Just one thing you'll discover on their website: Only 9 US states require a funeral home be used!
Hmmmmm...so then what are the alternatives?
www.celebratingthedash.com for one

Kaija Barlow Dallessandro, former Funeral Director and Crematory Operator…and my sister...brings with her a wealth of inside knowledge about the death industry. She dispels some "spooky" myths, as well as provides information that is not readily shared by the industry. With family, no topics are off limits.

Kaija began working as an apprentice in funeral homes more than 20 years ago, while completing her degree in Mortuary Science at the University of the District of Columbia. She was a licensed Funeral Director/Mortician in the states of Maryland and Virginia. She was also a Registered Crematory Operator in Maryland, managing a crematory for 7 years.

Tricia and I connected over our belief that humans have the capability of holding grief and joy at the same time, and how smiling and humor can bring comfort and begin the healing process.

Tricia shares a few of the more interesting stories (including burial at a pig farm) from her near life-long work as a caretaker, hospice nurse, mentor, and guide. Her passion is to help us on how to change our thinking -- something so needed in America when speaking about death and mortality.