Dead Honest

When Andy Holter sees his first dead body he is riveted. He also knows he’s found his vocation.

He leaves the police and decides to become a funeral director. We discuss working with death, the mourners that get forgotten and why some people are actually quite pleased to see the back of us.

This episode includes references to suicide so listener discretion is advised.

Click here to find out more about Andy and the work of his firm CPJ Field.

For information and advice about natural burial options visit Natural Death Centre.

Cheryl Johnson has a heartbreaking day job. She photographs babies whose lives are cut short. For the parents she helps, her photographs are more than precious. They are often the only memory they will have of a much-loved child.

You can find out more about Cheryl Johnson and Remember My Baby.
Listener discretion is advised especially if you have been affected by the loss of a baby.

Robert Jensen is the man you want in the room on the worst day of your life. He runs the world's largest disaster recovery business, Kenyon International, and is an expert in recovering the dead and reuniting them with the families they leave behind.
We discuss the challenges of collecting fragmented remains, the importance of managing family expectations and why returning personal effects is so critical to the grieving process.
To read more about Robert’s work, his memoir “Personal Effects” is now available.
Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll, with original music by John Biddle.
And finally ... if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, please rate it on your favourite podcast app. It really makes a difference.

Stumbling across a dead body is the stuff of nightmares. For Mo Oliver, it’s all in a day's work.
That’s because Mo Oliver identifies human remains for a living. It’s a job that’s taken him to some very dark places; from mass graves in Bosnia to Sri Lankan beaches clogged with the bodies of the Boxing Day Tsunami. We talk about the challenges of his work and how it feels to reunite the lost with the living.
For more information about Mo Oliver's work, visit Kenyon International
Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle.
And finally ... if you have enjoyed this episode, I'd love you to share it either with colleagues or rate it on your favorite podcast app. It really helps us to find new listeners.

Mac Hobbs is a tow truck driver. He recovers vehicles after fatal crashes and from remote locations where people have taken their lives. The hardest part of his job? Reuniting the cars with the families left behind.

Warning: This episode contains references to suicide. For information on organisations offering mental health support please contact:

Samaritans 24/7 crisis helpline: 116 123

Papyrus Helpline for under 35’s: 0800 068 4141

Calm: Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

SOBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Helpline: 0300 111 5065

Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle.

And finally ... if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.