Dying to Talk podcast topics

Dying to Talk is a podcast with light hearted and upbeat discussions of topics no one wants to talk about but needs to. Each episode covers a subject related to funeral services, the cremation process or death and dying.

Dying to Talk is hosted by Buddy Phaneuf,  founder of the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, and co-hosted by Mandy Desmarais and Madison Smith, both longtime funeral directors with CSNH.

Episodes include: 

The common myths and legends around the process of cremation (published Oct. 18, 2022)

The guest is Roger L. Gosselin, operations manager for Phaneuf. Roger explains the difference between a crematory and retort. He briefly explains the process of cremation,  lists common misconceptions about cremation, and then dispels those misconceptions.

Green burials and the green burial movement (published Nov. 1, 2022)

Our guest is Lee Webster, green burial advocate and former president of the Green Burial Council International. 

“What is important to people around burial is having a sense of place, right? We’re trying to encourage as many green spaces as we can around the country in order for people to have that, something close enough to them,” Lee said.

Lee discusses the three types of grounds where green burials take place: certified hybrid cemeteries, certified natural burial grounds and conservation burial grounds

Pagan funeral rites (published Nov. 15, 2022)

Our guest is Elizabeth Webster, a pagan funeral celebrant and an expert on pagan funerals and ceremonies. A pagan funeral rite or celebration is defined as one that is not Christian, but there’s a lot more to the topic, as Elizabeth explains . 

Children and grieving (scheduled Nov. 29, 2022)

Our guest will be Chuck Johnson, the spiritual and bereavement counselor with the Manchester and Southern New Hampshire Visiting Nurse Association.

Paying for a funeral and cremation (scheduled for Dec. 13, 2022)

The team will discuss the various options for paying for a funeral or cremation. The best and easiest way to do it is pre-planning=,however, there are some other options  that we will share. 

Cremation jewelry (scheduled for Dec. 27, 2022)

Some people choose to memorialize their loved ones by wearing a piece of jewelry that includes a small portion of cremated remains. Artisans use the granules of cremated remains to create unique and beautiful pieces of art, such as necklaces, bracelets and charms. Our guest will be Vangie Collins, owner and operator of VC Lampwork Cremation Jewelry in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Brain tissue donation (scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023)

Our guests will be Dr. Sabina Baretta and Dr. T. Wilson Wu.

The traditions of the Hindu funeral process (scheduled for Jan. 24, 2023)

Southern New Hampshire has a large Hundu population. Our guest will be Yogesh Parikh. 

Organ donations (scheduled for Feb. 7, 2023)

Our guest will be Melanie Peffer with the New England Organ Bank. Dying to Talk is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you download podcasts.