Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Death Expert Reveals the Dark Truth Behind Modern Funerals | Natural Funeral CEO Mike Reagan

Dec 5, 2025
Mike Reagan, CEO of The Natural Funeral and an end-of-life doula, unveils the hidden truths of modern funerals. He discusses how embalming can be harmful and how natural burials benefit both the environment and communities. With insights on water cremation and terramation, Mike explains how our bodies can nourish the earth. He also shares heartwarming stories of families planting trees with soil from their loved ones. Eco-friendly options are gaining traction, shifting consumer demand in the funeral industry!
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ANECDOTE

From Cemetery Kid To Funeral Director

  • Mike Reagan began cemetery work at 15, digging graves and later apprenticing as an embalmer.
  • He progressed from laborer to funeral director by serving families and learning hands-on duties.
INSIGHT

What A Holistic Funeral Means

  • A holistic funeral returns care of the body to natural processes without embalming or high-energy cremation.
  • It can include home vigils and family participation immediately after death.
ADVICE

How To Arrange A Home Vigil

  • If a death occurs in hospice, call hospice instead of 911 to avoid immediate removal of the body.
  • Use dry ice or gel packs to keep the body cool and allow a respectful home vigil.
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