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 launched the podcast. From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to industry disruptors and so much more, we're talking about it all! And tune in for the new DTKM Minis, bite-sized episodes that dive into various related topics and give a high-level yet meaningful view in five minutes or less.

  1. 5d ago

    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/aeonwoodsFB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Aeon-Woods/61576785975492/YT: https://www.youtube.com/@aeonwoods

  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: thedeathreadinesspodcastFB: 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/B0DPN6JP58Learn more about Samantha Rose at the following: https://www.yellowskymedia.com/my-storyIG: https://www.instagram.com/samantharose_writerFB: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.rose.90813/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharoseswartz

  6. Feb 21

    What Growing Up in a Funeral Home Taught Katie Radel About Life

    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, 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 sideResources & Links:Learn about Larkspur Conservation: https://larkspurconservation.org/ Watch "Bury Me at Taylor Hollow": https://www.reelsouth.org/documentaries/bury-me-taylor-hollowFollow 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

  7. Feb 11

    A Guide to Caregiving, End-of-Life Planning and Navigating the "Sunset Stage" with Ebony Leary

    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.

  8. Feb 2

    Dying Authentically: How to Ensure Your True Self is Honored

    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​

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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

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 launched the podcast. From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to industry disruptors and so much more, we're talking about it all! And tune in for the new DTKM Minis, bite-sized episodes that dive into various related topics and give a high-level yet meaningful view in five minutes or less.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Haugen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ashley Haugen
  • Show Website
    Dying to Know More

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