Tuesday, 14 June 2022

A Celebration of Life the Green Way With Elizabeth Fournier

Notice how many people are into renewable energy, into protecting the environment, opting for hybrid or electric cars, and so on? It is not surprising that people can also embrace the green lifestyle in handling the end-of-life phase with natural burial or what is popularly called these days ‘green burial’. This is the episode where the Glam Reaper meets the Green Reaper, Elizabeth Fournier. Elizabeth is the author of “The Green Burial Guidebook: Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Burial” and she helps families with how they want to celebrate the lives of their dearly departed. There are many options, of course, but being a member of the Advisory Board for the Green Burial Council, she is certainly an authority on the subject and why she is known as the “Green Reaper”. Enjoy listening! LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

About Elizabeth Fournier's journey in the funeral industry and her initiation on the green burial option.
What is the story of Elizabeth's first natural burial experience?
How many states allow natural burial and what sorts of legal restrictions are there in every state?
What are some problems that we can anticipate with natural burial and what precautions should be taken beforehand?
How was the ambiance of that first natural burial and how did Elizabeth's green journey progress from that?
Does Elizabeth's funeral home only do green burials? (... What are the other options and guidance she can provide to people?)

Resources:

Green Burial Council

National Home Funeral Alliance

Connect with Elizabeth Fournier:

Website

Email

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

Facebook Page: Muldowney Memorials & Rainbow Bridge Memorials

Instagram: @muldowneymemorials

Twitter

YouTube

Email us

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Should Planning Your Own Funeral Be Scary or Fun with Erica Hill

They say that you can't always get what we want in life but what’s worse is, we can’t get what we want after life, as well. How many funerals have you been at where you have questioned the lack of ‘personality of the deceased’ in the service? It is a serious thing. And a serious problem in the funeral business.

So should you be spending time planning your funeral now, even at an early age?

Jennifer, the Glam Reaper had an enlightening conversation with Erica Hill about how she created Sparrow, a contemporary funeral home in Brooklyn. Erica feels that people are looking for something different in their final story, funeral/memorial and is trying to make sure it is a story being told from the heart.

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

What makes Erica think that Sparrow’s service is different in comparison with the rest?
Why did Erica venture into the founding of Sparrow Funeral Home?
What was wrong with most funeral services in failing to properly represent the deceased?
Why is pre-planning of your funeral important? (...Erica using the funeral of her friend as a positive example for pre-planning.)
What is the plan for the future for Sparrow?
Erica shared one of her unforgettable recollections for a funeral service Sparrow did for families.

Connect with Erica Hill:

Website

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

Facebook Page: Muldowney Memorials & Rainbow Bridge Memorials

Instagram: @muldowneymemorials

Twitter

YouTube

Email us

Sharing Solace, You Are Not Alone With Crystal Webster

Sometimes your grief is aggravated by people who in spite of coming from a sincere place of wanting to support are not really helping. They say things that are not supposed to be told to a grieving person, but really they are just trying to help in their wrong awkward way. When we are supporting someone who is grieving, we just need to understand that they are clouded with emotions and can sometimes act irrationally.

Sharing Solace was officially launched May 19, 2018, on the 8th birthday of Crystal Webster’s daughter Madelyn Elizabeth who died in her arms after 8 beautiful hours of giving birth to her. In this episode, Crystal said that the idea of Sharing Solace was from Madelyn and she felt that she was ready to begin to heal and help others do the same. It's OK to feel lost and it is OK to want extra support.

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

Crystal’s painful journey started in 2010.
How did Crystal come out of the dark place and started the business of helping people who are grieving to heal?
The flagship locket set from Sharing Solace and their mission for people in grief.
How is Crystal able to work with people who share their stories of grief? (...Is she taking people’s grief home and absorbing them, as well?)
The problem for funeral homes with children's funeral, how unprepared funeral homes are (...What did Crystal choose to do for Madelyn?)
How important is pre-planning of your own funeral?
Jennifer’s experience every time she attends the Professional Women's Conference by NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association).
What is the concept of Hanlon's Razor?

Connect with Crystal Webster of Sharing Solace:
Website

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

Facebook Page: Muldowney Memorials & Rainbow Bridge Memorials

Instagram: @muldowneymemorials

Twitter

YouTube

Email us

Tuesday, 7 June 2022

Mobile Technology for People Who Are Grieving with Emma Payne

Have you ever struggled on what to say to people who are grieving the death of a loved one? Sometimes what you will say can trigger more emotional stress instead of alleviating the hurt, and you can cause some harm unintentionally. Grieving is hard but if you have family and friends who can support you, it dramatically alters everything for the grieving person. Getting good support does not have to be hard.

This week's guest, Emma Payne, will talk about how she used her expertise and passion for technology to give people the confidence and tools they need to cope with grief. Providing support during a time of loss can be a profound experience. Support is just a text away!

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

What is ‘Grief Coach’ and what prompted Emma to launch it?
How can people obtain a subscription to ‘Grief Coach?
Emma’s thoughts on the fear of saying or doing something.
How does the subscription work?
Was there a situation where the subscription went wrong? (...What are some feedbacks?)
What are some ways that the industry still lacks expertise in several areas and is not updated with the current trends?
Is ‘Grief Coach’ just local in Ireland or globally available?
What are Emma’s thoughts on the future of the funeral business?