The Final Curtain Never Closes
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez
Publishing Details
Contact & Outreach
About This Podcast
The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.
This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.
Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at www.nmfh.org.
And remember, any day above ground is a good one!
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Recent Episodes
Born Without Arms, He Outlived Doctors' Expectations
What can a man born without arms teach us about life and death? Genevieve welcomes Gabriel Najera to the show. Gabriel overcame physical challenges to become an entrepreneur and international…
The Many Faces of Grief and a New Tool for Healing
Guardian [AI]ngels founder John Kammer joins Genevieve to share how repeated loss, addiction, and recovery led him to create an AI‑supported grief journaling platform based on Worden’s Four Tasks of…
Making CENTS of Funerary Customs
Delve into the rich history and symbolism of coins beyond funerary practices in this intriguing discussion. Numismatist Larry Hoefer, a seasoned coin collector, sheds light on the traditions of…
What Happens to Implants After Cremation: The Truth About Metal Recycling
Don Winsett explains how recycled implants and metals from cremation are safely refined, reduce environmental impact, and often fund charitable donations, transforming medical devices into a final…
Haunting Stories of the Museum's Hometown
What if some of your hometown's oldest, most haunted spaces were hidden in plain sight? What if they were so hidden, you quite literally walk and/or drive by them every day? The hometown in question…
When a QR Code Tells a Life Story
Life’s QR turns headstones and urns into portals for rich digital memorials, combining biographies, photos, videos, guest books, and family trees to preserve stories, support genealogy, and give…
The Role of Crematoriums in Metal Recycling and Conservation
What makes recycling metals from cremations crucial for both the environment and society? Mike McKenna, director of Recycling and Development with Core Scientific, discusses the importance of a…
Gathering, Grief, and the Life Box: How to Have Hard Conversations at the Table
Ashley Gould shares how simple, intentional gatherings around the table can ease hard conversations about illness, death, and legacy, using ethical wills and “life boxes” so families stay connected,…
Unlocking the Secrets of Egyptian Mummification
Ancient Egyptian funeral practices revolved around the belief in preparing the body for burial to ensure a smooth journey in the afterlife. Preserving the physical body through embalming was crucial,…
How Grief Transforms Us: Exploring Global Funeral Traditions
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez explores universal themes in death rituals, examining how funerals, grief, and cultural customs intersect at the National Museum of Funeral History. Museum exhibits include…
Beyond Fame: What Dead Celebrities Teach Us About Living Well
Michael Osborne, creator of the award-winning podcast Famous and Gravy, joins Genevieve to discuss how stories of the departed become mirrors for the living. The conversation explores how fame shifts…
Remembering the Dead: Family, Rituals, and the Importance of Talking About Death
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez turned a childhood curiosity about death into a lifelong mission of education and advocacy. Her journey began with an early fascination with mortality at age seven and led to…
A Tragic Loss That Sparked a Seatbelt Safety Movement: The Story of Kailee Mills
The tragic loss of Kailee Mills inspired her family to turn pain into purpose by founding the Kailee Mills Foundation. Through heartfelt education and assistance programs, they teach communities the…
Beyond the Veil: Death, Grief, and Meaning
Discover why Victorian death rituals still fascinate us today as author Paul Gambino discusses his book, Beyond the Veil, with Genevieve Keeney Vazquez, now available at The National Museum of…
Hearses, Heels, and Heart: Adventures of a Third-Generation Funeral Woman
Lisa Baue stepped into funeral service as a third-generation funeral director, challenging long-held beliefs about who belonged in the profession. Her story unfolds in the context of a family…
Exploring Bonds Beyond the Grave
Angela Kaatz is the owner and producer of Ghost Hunting Beauties. During this conversation, Genevieve and Angela dive into the role of women in the paranormal field and the unique sensitivity and…
How Horror Stories Help Us Understand Death
Mark Leslie, an author drawn to chills and thrills since childhood, has built his writing career by exploring the shadows of fear and death. His stories often begin with the very anxieties that once…
Echoes of Loss: The Impact of a Friend's Death
In this conversation, Frank Vazquez shares his journey of grief and loss after the death of his close friend, Tim. The conversation highlights the importance of safe friends and the impact they can…
A Veterinarian’s Guide to Pet Loss and Healing
Have you ever wondered what happens when you have to say goodbye to a pet? You might be faced with difficult choices, questions about euthanasia, and how to honor your pet’s memory. Today, Dr.…
He has One of the Largest Urn Collections in the World
Jason Engler is a cremation historian and has one of the world's largest urn collections. During this episode, we dive into Jason's fascination with urns and how it influenced his decision to pursue…
Frequently Asked Questions
The Final Curtain Never Closes has published 58 episodes since February 2023, covering topics in Business, Education.
The Final Curtain Never Closes is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 41m.
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