Death, et seq.

Anatomical dissection is a fundamental part of medical education. In this episode, medical student Emma Sherman walks us through the use and treatment of donor bodies in medical education in the United States.

Sam Perry is an Associate Lecturer at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, teaching in the Mortuary Science and Funeral Science program. He is also the President of the Green Burial Council International, 501(c)(3).

What death care practices are in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church? In this episode, Tanya talks to Wake Law student Andrea St. Paul about the historical evolution of Catholic death care practices.

In this episode, Tanya talks to her friend Holly Swenson, walking her through the options for the disposition of her remains (cremation, casket burial, green burial, water cremation, and human composting). They also discuss who has the right to legally make disposition decisions and how to document your preferences. The bottom line is: people should be armed with information about their funeral and disposition choices!

In this episode, Tanya talks to Professor Ellie Morales, who directs the Veteran's Legal Clinic at Wake Forest Law School, about the funeral benefits available to service members and veterans, as well as the very important question of who qualifies as a "veteran" for the purpose of receiving benefits from the VA.

Emma Grace Trammel provides an overview of the laws regarding the purchase and sale of human remains. There are fewer laws than many people believe!

Wake Law Student Jannine Huby organized this episode. She explains how cremation fireworks work and introduces Jason Diemer and Clay Adams of Greenlawn Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri, the only U.S. funeral home that offers customized cremation fireworks memorials.

In this episode, Professor Tanya Marsh discusses the legal complexities of multi-jurisdictional death with her father, Professor Bill Marsh. They explain that ensuring one's wishes are followed after death involves navigating three types of state laws: the default "right of sepulcher" (which grants control to next of kin), appointing a "designated agent" to supplant that default list, and using "personal preference statutes" to specify desired outcomes, such as the method and location of disposition. A significant complication is that for funeral planning, the controlling law is that of the state where the remains are physically located, not the decedent's state of residence. Because states have different requirements (e.g., some require two witnesses, others a notary) and no universal "super form" exists, they advise creating a single declaration that is signed, witnessed by two unrelated adults, and notarized to maximize enforceability across states. The conversation also covers the domestic and international transport of remains, and how to navigate TSA, airline requirements, and the requirements of the receiving country.