What Really Happens During Embalming? + Aquamation & Human Composting - Dealing with Grief, Dying, and Death cover art

What Really Happens During Embalming? + Aquamation & Human Composting - Dealing with Grief, Dying, and Death

What Really Happens During Embalming? + Aquamation & Human Composting - Dealing with Grief, Dying, and Death

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Embalming is often treated as a default. But how much do we actually understand about it?
In this episode, we speak with Ray Chel, creator of the online zine The Lil’ Undertaker’s Embalming Guide. Using a fictional mortician narrator, Ray created an accessible and creative way to explain the embalming process while also introducing alternatives such as aquamation and natural organic reduction, commonly known as human composting.
Rather than teaching the technical steps, this conversation explores:

  • Why embalming is so rarely discussed openly
  • How families end up choosing it
  • What alternatives to embalming are gaining traction
  • The rise of green funeral options
  • How creative media can reshape death literacy

Whether you work in the death space or are simply trying to make informed decisions before a crisis, this episode offers insight into how funeral practices are evolving.

Instagram: @chelsartistry

TikTok: @chelsartistry and @villagevultures

https://chelsartistry.etsy.com/

Season 3 Episode 6 - Compassionate End-of-Life Care for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community with Tianna Dargent

Season 1 Episode 18 - Providing Resources and Support for the LGBTQ+ Community - with Grief Specialist Gary Sturgis

Season 3 Episode 5 - Culturally Sensitive Training with Joe'l the Grave Woman



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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.



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