Good Goodbyes. The funeral facts podcast
Ever wondered about what happens at funerals? Have any questions now that you find you have to arrange one? Ever think you might like to know more if you are arranging your own?
Industry experts Simon Savage an independent funeral director from Devon in the UK and Tina Naldrett an independent Celebrant offer advice and myth busting in this informal chat about all things funeral and celebration of life.
Occasionally we have guest episodes.
Episodes
82 episodes
82 Heavenly Stars, Fireworks with Ashes
Did you know you could go off with a bang, that fireworks with ashes are becoming more established. Listen in to this chat with Tina and Colin from Heavenly Stars to learn more Resources
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Episode 82
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21:13
81 Unattended funerals
In this episode Simon and Tina chat about unattended funerals, what are they and what happens at them ? With a link below to our Direct Cremations episode Resources
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13:31
80 Dr Lisa Cherry finding the joy in dying series
Dr Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, she was diagnosed with incurable cancer in November 2023 and being given months to live in July 2025, Lisa is responding to a clinical trial, buying her prec...
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Episode 80
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36:33
79 Digital Gravestones A chat with Monika Piotrowska
This episode is all about digital gravestones. Listen in to hear why Monika started this business, what they are all about..What can you put in a digital gravestone page ?How do you access them ? This and s...
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Episode 79
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33:03
78 Kirstie Atherton from Dead Positive, talks about death education, language , kindness and love
Kirstie, an independent celebrant and founder of Death positive joins the show to kick of the year with an excellent conversation about Death, and Dying and funerals. We chat about love, authenticity, death education communities and...
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Episode 78
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1:01:46
77 Future and previous episodes: What can you listen to that you may have missed ?
As 2026 begins Tina talks briefly about the episodes ahead and what you can listen to from the back catalogue of episodes. Which you can find here via this link
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Episode 77
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5:39
76 Endings and exits at funerals services and memorials
In this episode Simon and Tina chat about ways in which we can end a ceremony or service. The many choices on offer and things to consider Resources
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Episode 76
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17:47
75 Sadness and Crying at Funerals and Memorial services
Tina and Simon chat about Crying and sadness, How do people feel about crying ?Or not being able to cry? Resources
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Episode 75
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10:26
74 Grief at Christmas 2025
Its that time of year again and Sy and I wish you all a happy and contented Christmas and share this episode with you... link to Cruise copi...
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Episode 74
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18:03
73 Justine Chats about the loss of a friend and how we can celebrate a friends life.
Justine Coombs award winning celebrant from kent in the UK joins the podcast to talk about how we can deal with the loss of a friend. How can friends be included in ceremonies and services? How can you as a friend rememb...
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Episode 73
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44:08
72 Family Disagreements and Funerals
Tina and Simon talk about family disagreements and funerals. What can you do if your in the midst of family disagreements at this time ?How can funeral professionals navigate this issue ? Resources
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Episode 72
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14:59
71. Berni talks about the Windphone and grief
Berni Benton Award winning independent Celebrant talks about the Windphone concept started by Itaru Sasaki and his Phone Booth of the Wind.We chat about how it works, what people may gain from using a wind-phone and Segway into a funny l...
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Episode 71
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31:40
70 Sending Christmas Cards to the bereaved. A bitesized episode
What can you write in a card to someone who has had a loss ? Tune in to this short episode about sending Christmas cards... what to write and if you should send one at all ? Resources
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Episode 70
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9:32
69 Death by Suicide Episodes review with Sy and Tina
In this episode Tina and Simon talk about their roles when it comes to Suicide and arranging the ceremony. Also taking a moment to reflect on the recent episodes from Pete's Dragons and Sobs and what they can teach us. Reso...
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Episode 69
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23:38
68 In Conversation with Alison from Petes Dragons the suicide and bereavement charity
Tina and Alison talk about this UK based charity born from a personal loss. Alison talks about the work the charity does with families and young people and the ways we can all reduce the stigma of talking about death by suici...
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Episode 68
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32:08
67. In Conversation with Josie, CEO of Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide SOB
With a focus on death by suicide. Tina chats to Josie from the charity Survivors of bereavement by suicide about this topic. What are useful things to say when someone has died by suicide ? What help is on offer ? <...
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Episode 67
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40:02
66. Silence at funerals
This bitesized episode , where Tina and Simon explore the use of silence at funerals and memorials. When might this be useful and why? how long can a silence last How can funeral professionals use silence ?&n...
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Episode 66
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9:45
65 Talking with Brendan about Greener Globe funeral standards
Brendan from Greener Globe funeral standards talks with Tina about these standards funeral directors can sign up to do in the UK. There is also talk about natural burial grounds, wildflowers, and ways to be green and eco friendly in...
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Episode 65
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37:18
64. Kate talks about being an Embalmer
in this episode We are joined by Kate from Norman Lock and Son who is an Embalmer. Kate chats about how she came to be one, what she finds rewarding about it and some of the myths people have about embalming along the way. ...
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Episode 64
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28:46
63 Abi Talks about being a Gravedigger
Abi from Woven Farewells is also a Gravedigger. We chat about how she came to do this , some of the things involved and where she finds her peaceful moments. Resources
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Episode 63
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30:22
62 Funerals and the weather
Its taken a while .... but here it is an episode from a UK funeral director and celebrant about the weather? How can it impact the funeral ?What should you be thinking about in relation to the weather.You might also li...
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Episode 62
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12:04
61 Guest David talks about Ashes in Blooms, Seedballs, Rabbits and more.
Daavid joins Tina to talk about his Ashes to Blooms work, which featured as a finalist in the recent green funeral awards. How he came to have the idea, how to make your own Ashes and Blooms seedball and how it helps to remember ou...
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Episode 61
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41:45
60 The Wake. What is it & do you need one ?
What is a Wake? why is it called that. Do you need to have one and what might you do at one? Why has Tina been to one with bright pink salmon sandwiches ? Tina and Sy discuss all this and more R...
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Episode 60
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14:59
59 The words we use about death
What words do we use when describing death, dying and dead? Does it matter if we use these words or others? Sy and Tina explore this topic. Lets us know your thoughts and any colloquialisms you have come acro...
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Episode 59
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15:47
58 Richard from Scattering Ashes in a discussion about the many choices we have for ashes.
Richard Martin from Scattering Ashes, talks with Tina about the many choices that accompany dealing with Ashes. What do we need to think about in relation to the environment? What emotions might we be feeling? <...
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Episode 58
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37:33