Death! with Becky Robison
Summary
Sarah Marshall interviews Becky Robinson, author of *My Parents Are Dead, What Now?*, to discuss the practicalities of navigating the funeral industry after a parent’s death. They explore consumer rights under the FTC Funeral Rule, debunk myths about mandatory casket purchases, and address the financial and emotional complexities of planning a service. The conversation also touches on the corporate consolidation of funeral homes and the broader cultural taboos surrounding death and money.
Topics discussed
Holiday episode call for listener voice memos
Show intro and guest introduction
Guest background and the origin of the book
Consumer rights and the FTC Funeral Rule
Jessica Mitford and the history of funeral reform
Price transparency and federal legislative changes
Tangential discussion on political vacancies
Myths about buying caskets and urns
Ethics of the funeral industry and corporate consolidation
Dignity Memorial and private equity influence
Handling unclaimed bodies and state responsibilities
Saving money with payable on death accounts
Direct cremation and planning personalized memorials
The taboos surrounding death and money
Personal experiences with grief and loss
Similarities between funerals and weddings
Repressed grief and the pandemic
Tangents on movies and horror tropes
The process and history of embalming
Environmental impact of embalming and burial
Home funerals and death certificate logistics
The cost and bureaucracy of death certificates
Body donation and research institutions
Tangents on Poltergeist and Twilight Zone
Green burial and conservation cemeteries
Water cremation and its environmental benefits
Human composting or terramation
Future trends in the funeral industry
Advice on navigating grief and support networks
Book promotion and show credits
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