End of Life Conversations

We are now posting a monthly newsletter on Substack. It contains announcements about end-of-life classes and events, previews of our upcoming episodes, and many resources for planning and learning. Articles and POETRY, of course.

You can subscribe to our Substack here: https://endoflifeconvos.substack.com

We will also be asking our readers (that’s YOU!) for articles, poetry, or event listings.

If you would like to be added to our list (can cancel anytime), please contact us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com

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Annalouiza and Wakil offer classes on end-of-life planning, grief counseling, and interfaith (or no faith!) spiritual direction. If you are interested in any of these, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

In this podcast, we'll share people’s experiences with the end of life. We have reached out to experts in the field, front-line workers, as well as friends, neighbors, and the community, to have conversations about their experiences with death and dying. We have invited wonderful people to sit with us and share their stories with one another.

Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that can help us all navigate and better understand this important subject.

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. Additionally, we would appreciate your financial support, and you can subscribe by clicking the Subscribe button. Subscribers will be sent a dynamically updated end-of-life planning checklist and resources document. They will have access to premium video podcasts on many end-of-life planning and support subjects. Subscribers at $8/month or higher will be invited to a special live, online conversation with Annalouiza and Wakil and are eligible for a free initial session of grief counseling or interfaith spiritual direction.

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

We want to thank Wakil and his wife's children for the wonderful song that begins our programs. We also want to acknowledge that the music we are using was composed and produced by Charles Hiestand. We also acknowledge that we live and work on unceded indigenous peoples' lands. We thank them for their generations of stewardship, which continues to this day, and honor them by doing all we can to create a sustainable planet and support the thriving of all life, both human and more than human.

All Episodes

End of Life Conversations

The Surprising Push For Open Air Cremation In America with Brett Nicoletti

November 05, 2025 • Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews & Brett Nicoletti • Season 5 • Episode 6

Send us a text

You can view this as a video on YouTube! We encourage you to do so and to like and subscribe to our channel. And it really helps our statistics if you listen all the way to the end, where we include a bonus conversation!

In this conversation, Brett Nicoletti, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, shares his journey into the world of death and dying, exploring his personal experiences with loss and their impact on his storytelling. He discusses his documentary project, 'Passing Through,' which focuses on open-air cremation and cultural perspectives on death. The conversation delves into the importance of rituals and community, the challenges of filmmaking, and reflections on fear and the acceptance of death. Throughout, Brett emphasizes the sacredness of this work and the need for deeper connections in the face of mortality.

This video explores the intricacies of the cremation process, including what happens to the ashes after the procedure. We also touch on the role of the funeral home in facilitating these arrangements. Understanding the legal process and regulations surrounding cremation can provide clarity during a difficult time of death.

LINKS

FILM WEBSITE

http://www.passingthroughfilm.net/

HELP SUPPORT THE FILM - UTAH FILM CENTER DONATION PAGE

https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/1190665e-642e-4193-8a98-4cf0945aaa8e

Socials for the Film:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/passingthroughdocumentary/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581307447944

https://www.linkedin.com/company/passingthrough/about/?viewAsMember=true

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@passingthroughdocu?_t=ZP-90AJ0RTpzv5&_r=1

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

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