Episodes

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney shares readings from his book, Now Departing: A Small Town Mortician on Death, Life, and the Moments In Between. Victor discusses the process and philosophy behind writing and designing his book, emphasizing how its phy...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with Leili McMurrough, President of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. The conversation digs into what it takes to become a funeral director today, highlighting how most students are first-generation and man...

In this episode of Death And, funeral director Victor M. Sweeney takes the show on the road — or rather, back to its roots — recording from the quiet of his funeral chapel after a busy stretch in the real world. The episode is titled "Death and Death," and for good reason: Victor shares an unedited ...

In this episode of "Death And," undertaker Victor M. Sweeney sits down with longtime friend and pilot Paul Anderson to delve into the world of death and skydiving. Their conversation weaves between the adrenaline-charged experiences of flying and jumping out of planes, and the ever-present awareness...

In this episode of "Death And," funeral director Victor M. Sweeney takes listeners on a solo exploration, reflecting on his own tendency toward magical thinking despite being a natural skeptic. Victor shares personal stories from the funeral home that reveal how small moments of coincidence, ritual,...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney welcomes psychologist and author Dr. Liz Scott to grapple with the big question of death and what comes next. The conversation revolves around the concept of “annihilation” and the fear of nothingness after death, contrasting Victor’s stead...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney tackles the challenging theme of death and toxic families, addressing a complex listener question about navigating family conflict during a funeral. Victor reflects on the realities of fractured relationships that surfa...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician Victor M. Sweeney sits down with Laura Jaye Cramer, founder of Candlelight Magazine, to explore the world of grief resources and the power of connection in navigating loss. The conversation centers on Laura’s personal story of losing both her father and brot...

In this episode of "Death And," mortician and funeral director Victor M. Sweeney sits down with James Arrowood, CEO of Alcor Life Extension Foundation, to explore what cryonics actually is—preserving the viability of cells after death for possible future resuscitation—while busting myths about “rais...