Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:27:13 -0500 https://agraveaffair.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 A Grave Affair yes fa578c53-41e7-55c7-903a-ab2059c442e9 Berto episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Berto https://storage.buzzsprout.com/m4hid6p3o1968ilz4eseq5cv2emh?.jpg Episode 32 - How a Near Death Experience Changes Your Life Have you ever wondered what would you do if faced with your own mortality? Would you spend all your money or would you focus your remaining time on charitable works and making sentimental moments? In this episode, Berto sat down with his friend, Alex, a cancer survivor, to talk about how he faced the possibility of not winning his battle with cancer and how it changed his life afterwards. 

]]> Have you ever wondered what would you do if faced with your own mortality? Would you spend all your money or would you focus your remaining time on charitable works and making sentimental moments? In this episode, Berto sat down with his friend, Alex, a cancer survivor, to talk about how he faced the possibility of not winning his battle with cancer and how it changed his life afterwards. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-14007809 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2921 full false Episode 31 - Jennifer Muldowney: A Chat With the Glam Reaper Herself On episode 31, Berto is joined by a truly dynamic person in the funeral industry, Jennifer Muldowney of Muldowney Memorials! Jennifer (aka the Glam Reaper) is an internationally known podcast host, TEDx speaker, author, and memorial planner/celebrant and brings with her a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things funeral related. Chatting about how she began her career in the funeral industry, her views on funerals and the experiences she has had over the last 15 years, it's a great episode for all listeners both in and outside of the funeral industry. 

]]> On episode 31, Berto is joined by a truly dynamic person in the funeral industry, Jennifer Muldowney of Muldowney Memorials! Jennifer (aka the Glam Reaper) is an internationally known podcast host, TEDx speaker, author, and memorial planner/celebrant and brings with her a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things funeral related. Chatting about how she began her career in the funeral industry, her views on funerals and the experiences she has had over the last 15 years, it's a great episode for all listeners both in and outside of the funeral industry. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-13660864 Mon, 25 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0400 2671 full false Episode 30 - Loss and the Closing of a Chapter Have you ever lost someone very close to you and felt that you were also closing a chapter in your life? In this mini episode, Berto talks about the recent loss of his last grandparent and how it left him not only mourning his grandfather, but mourning the ending of his childhood so to speak. It's a great episode that can get you thinking on how or if any losses in your life may have contributed to the feeling that a chapter in your life is now over. 

]]> Have you ever lost someone very close to you and felt that you were also closing a chapter in your life? In this mini episode, Berto talks about the recent loss of his last grandparent and how it left him not only mourning his grandfather, but mourning the ending of his childhood so to speak. It's a great episode that can get you thinking on how or if any losses in your life may have contributed to the feeling that a chapter in your life is now over. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-13369159 Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400 273 full false Episode 29 - A Chat with Jeremy Hicks With all the funeral directors in Rollings Funeral Service, we have a vast array of experiences and viewpoints we can tap into! Wanting to hear more about those experiences and viewpoints, Berto spoke with Jeremy Hicks, funeral director and manager of Jeff Eberhart Funeral Home in Dallas, GA. From some of his most memorable services to what he himself thinks is most important in a funeral, Berto and Jeremy cover a lot of topics! 

]]> With all the funeral directors in Rollings Funeral Service, we have a vast array of experiences and viewpoints we can tap into! Wanting to hear more about those experiences and viewpoints, Berto spoke with Jeremy Hicks, funeral director and manager of Jeff Eberhart Funeral Home in Dallas, GA. From some of his most memorable services to what he himself thinks is most important in a funeral, Berto and Jeremy cover a lot of topics! 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-13185760 Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0400 1836 full false Episode 28 - Embalming With Everett and More! Have you ever wondered what goes into preparing a loved one for their visitation? Wanting to learn more about embalming and everything else that funeral directors do behind the scenes when caring for your lost loved one, Berto spoke with one of their location managers, Everett, at Whitfield Funeral Homes and Crematory in Georgia. It's a great episode that sheds light on the art and skill that goes into making your loved one look just perfect. 

]]> Have you ever wondered what goes into preparing a loved one for their visitation? Wanting to learn more about embalming and everything else that funeral directors do behind the scenes when caring for your lost loved one, Berto spoke with one of their location managers, Everett, at Whitfield Funeral Homes and Crematory in Georgia. It's a great episode that sheds light on the art and skill that goes into making your loved one look just perfect. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-12991098 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0400 2219 full false Episode 27 - Chatting With Two Mortuary College Students Wanting to learn more about the new generation of funeral directors, Berto spoke with Alexandria Whitley and Andrew Vogel, both current students at the Cincinatti College of Mortuary Science and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science respectively. Covering a range of topics, Alex and Andrew spoke of what brought them into funeral service, what their classes are like, what they're looking for in a work environment and their long term career goals just to name a few. 

]]> Wanting to learn more about the new generation of funeral directors, Berto spoke with Alexandria Whitley and Andrew Vogel, both current students at the Cincinatti College of Mortuary Science and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science respectively. Covering a range of topics, Alex and Andrew spoke of what brought them into funeral service, what their classes are like, what they're looking for in a work environment and their long term career goals just to name a few. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-12582981 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:00:00 -0400 2239 full false Episode 26 - Giving Back in Funeral Service Funeral service and community service can go perfectly hand-in-hand. After all, a funeral home is serving the community by helping it celebrate and honor a life. However, a funeral home can do so much more than that. To learn about the different ways of giving back, Berto spoke with Amanda Lucas, manager and funeral director with Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Elberton, GA. Amanda has been incredibly active with the funeral home from hosting Mother's and Father's Day brunches and BBQs to hosting a movie night in the funeral home and so much more. Ultimately, her goal is to shift how people view funeral homes while at the same time trying to give back to the community. 

]]> Funeral service and community service can go perfectly hand-in-hand. After all, a funeral home is serving the community by helping it celebrate and honor a life. However, a funeral home can do so much more than that. To learn about the different ways of giving back, Berto spoke with Amanda Lucas, manager and funeral director with Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Elberton, GA. Amanda has been incredibly active with the funeral home from hosting Mother's and Father's Day brunches and BBQs to hosting a movie night in the funeral home and so much more. Ultimately, her goal is to shift how people view funeral homes while at the same time trying to give back to the community. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-12309937 Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:00:00 -0500 2013 full false Episode 25 - What It’s Like Becoming a Part of Rollings We understand there are a lot of questions when it comes to your firm joining Rollings Funeral Service. Wanting to educate some of our listeners that may be thinking of selling their firm, Berto spoke with brothers Ryan and Michael Bennett to discuss what the process was like joining their funeral home (Brown Funeral Home in New York) with Rollings. From what their motivations were in selling the business to how the whole process went, it's a great and informative episode! 

]]> We understand there are a lot of questions when it comes to your firm joining Rollings Funeral Service. Wanting to educate some of our listeners that may be thinking of selling their firm, Berto spoke with brothers Ryan and Michael Bennett to discuss what the process was like joining their funeral home (Brown Funeral Home in New York) with Rollings. From what their motivations were in selling the business to how the whole process went, it's a great and informative episode! 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-12079653 Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0500 3084 full false Episode 24 - The Role of Our Regional Managers In today's episode, Berto spoke with Jason Greer, one of the five regional managers in Rollings Funeral Service to learn more about how he and the other regional managers support the locations in their region. Jason's current region includes our locations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and parts of Georgia and Pennsylvania. From being a sounding board to new ideas within a funeral home to actually coming in to help with funerals when needed, Jason's top priority is to make sure his locations are serving families to the best of their abilities. 

]]> In today's episode, Berto spoke with Jason Greer, one of the five regional managers in Rollings Funeral Service to learn more about how he and the other regional managers support the locations in their region. Jason's current region includes our locations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and parts of Georgia and Pennsylvania. From being a sounding board to new ideas within a funeral home to actually coming in to help with funerals when needed, Jason's top priority is to make sure his locations are serving families to the best of their abilities. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-11898423 Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500 2082 full false Episode 23 - Learning All about Death Doulas Most of us have heard of doulas for birth, but did you know there are doulas for death too that can help a person and their loved ones prepare for the ending of a life. In this episode, Berto sits down with Tara Lee and Angela Zimmer, two death doulas in the Charlotte, NC area, to talk all about what it is they do and their experiences. 

]]> Most of us have heard of doulas for birth, but did you know there are doulas for death too that can help a person and their loved ones prepare for the ending of a life. In this episode, Berto sits down with Tara Lee and Angela Zimmer, two death doulas in the Charlotte, NC area, to talk all about what it is they do and their experiences. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-11551942 Sun, 23 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0400 3878 full false Episode 22 - Outside Looking In -- Again! Death is such a large part of life and it rarely gets talked about. In this latest episode, Berto sat down with his cousin and another friend to talk about their views on death, funerals, and everything else in between. It's a great episode to learn how different views on death and funerals can be from person-to-person. 

]]> Death is such a large part of life and it rarely gets talked about. In this latest episode, Berto sat down with his cousin and another friend to talk about their views on death, funerals, and everything else in between. It's a great episode to learn how different views on death and funerals can be from person-to-person. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-11305597 Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0400 3535 full false Episode 21 - Dealing With a Personal Loss Grief can be just as unique as the person going through it and it does vary from person to person. In this episode, Berto discusses his personal grieving process following the death of his grandfather this past month. Along the way, he also shares some tips and suggestions when it comes to grieving and how to navigate everything that accompanies it. 

]]> Grief can be just as unique as the person going through it and it does vary from person to person. In this episode, Berto discusses his personal grieving process following the death of his grandfather this past month. Along the way, he also shares some tips and suggestions when it comes to grieving and how to navigate everything that accompanies it. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10962588 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 12:00:00 -0400 1279 full false Episode 20 - Lights, Camera, Action: We’re Acting Out a Funeral Arrangement For many people, they don't know what happens when planning a funeral for a loved one or how the process goes. To get a better idea of what happens in the arrangement office, Berto sat down with Reggy Greene, one of the Rollings managers for a funeral home in North Carolina, to stage a mock funeral arrangement. Along the way Berto and Reggy also discuss the benefits or preplanning a funeral and some of the situations Reggy has encountered when planning a funeral. 

]]> For many people, they don't know what happens when planning a funeral for a loved one or how the process goes. To get a better idea of what happens in the arrangement office, Berto sat down with Reggy Greene, one of the Rollings managers for a funeral home in North Carolina, to stage a mock funeral arrangement. Along the way Berto and Reggy also discuss the benefits or preplanning a funeral and some of the situations Reggy has encountered when planning a funeral. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10822310 Mon, 20 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400 2669 full false Episode 19 - Peoples Mortuary Museum and Funeral Service’s History In episode 19, Berto sat down with Bill Peoples, curator of Peoples Mortuary Museum in Marietta, OH to talk about his museum and how it came to be! Bill has a fantastic collection of funeral service memorabilia from historic mourning garments all the way to antique funeral vehicles (one was even featured in a film). Along the way Berto and Bill also discuss how funeral service has evolved since the mid-19th century. To visit the museum's website to learn more, click here https://bit.ly/3yJaJHk 

]]> In episode 19, Berto sat down with Bill Peoples, curator of Peoples Mortuary Museum in Marietta, OH to talk about his museum and how it came to be! Bill has a fantastic collection of funeral service memorabilia from historic mourning garments all the way to antique funeral vehicles (one was even featured in a film). Along the way Berto and Bill also discuss how funeral service has evolved since the mid-19th century. To visit the museum's website to learn more, click here https://bit.ly/3yJaJHk 

]]> Buzzsprout-10634907 Tue, 17 May 2022 15:00:00 -0400 2012 full false Episode 18 - Outside Looking In: Getting a Different Perspective on Funeral Service All of the guests of the podcast have some kind of direct ties to funeral service, but Berto decided it was time to get outsiders' thoughts on death and funeral service. This episode features two of Berto's good friends as they talk about their own feelings towards death and the questions they have about funeral service. 

]]> All of the guests of the podcast have some kind of direct ties to funeral service, but Berto decided it was time to get outsiders' thoughts on death and funeral service. This episode features two of Berto's good friends as they talk about their own feelings towards death and the questions they have about funeral service. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10417398 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0400 2936 full false Episode 17 - A Lively Conversation About Growing Up in Funeral Service In this episode, Berto is joined by Lauren Duhon, Courtney Latham, and Meghan Peay to talk about their experiences growing up with dads that were in funeral service and how it shaped their childhoods. Lauren and Courtney are sisters and Greg Rollings' daughters and Meghan is the daughter of a funeral home owner that just recently became a part of our company. Between Berto, Meghan, Courtney, and Lauren, there are a lot of great stories! 

]]> In this episode, Berto is joined by Lauren Duhon, Courtney Latham, and Meghan Peay to talk about their experiences growing up with dads that were in funeral service and how it shaped their childhoods. Lauren and Courtney are sisters and Greg Rollings' daughters and Meghan is the daughter of a funeral home owner that just recently became a part of our company. Between Berto, Meghan, Courtney, and Lauren, there are a lot of great stories! 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10178140 Wed, 02 Mar 2022 19:00:00 -0500 3047 full false Episode 16 - We're Talking Business Today: Mergers & Acquisitions On this episode, Berto sat down with Tony Kumming, president of the NewBridge Group, to talk about the mergers and acquisition side of the funeral industry. The NewBridge Group is a funeral home succession planning, funeral home valuation, and appraisal consulting firm that specializes in making the perfect match between buyer and seller. 

]]> On this episode, Berto sat down with Tony Kumming, president of the NewBridge Group, to talk about the mergers and acquisition side of the funeral industry. The NewBridge Group is a funeral home succession planning, funeral home valuation, and appraisal consulting firm that specializes in making the perfect match between buyer and seller. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10061218 Sat, 12 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0500 2353 full false Episode 15 - Cremation Liability Legal Round Table One part of funeral service that many don't often think about is the liability side, especially when it comes to cremation. In this episode, Berto and Justin host their first round table with three incredible guests: Poul Lemasters, attorney and funeral director with Lemasters Consulting and cremation counsel with ICCFA, Michael Elliott, senior legal counsel and CCO with Carriage Services, and Chris Farmer, founder of the Farmer Firm and newly announced General Counsel with the NFDA. 

]]> One part of funeral service that many don't often think about is the liability side, especially when it comes to cremation. In this episode, Berto and Justin host their first round table with three incredible guests: Poul Lemasters, attorney and funeral director with Lemasters Consulting and cremation counsel with ICCFA, Michael Elliott, senior legal counsel and CCO with Carriage Services, and Chris Farmer, founder of the Farmer Firm and newly announced General Counsel with the NFDA. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-9456840 Fri, 29 Oct 2021 13:00:00 -0400 4186 full false Episode 14 - The Covid Dilemma In this week's podcast Berto and Justin discuss Covid and it's impact on funeral service from an inside perspective. 

]]> In this week's podcast Berto and Justin discuss Covid and it's impact on funeral service from an inside perspective. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-9280364 Wed, 29 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400 2415 full false Episode 13 - Mortuary School! This week Justin gives an in-depth look into his experience in Mortuary College and what to think about if you'r e interested in going. 

]]> This week Justin gives an in-depth look into his experience in Mortuary College and what to think about if you'r e interested in going. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-9247423 Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0400 2807 full false Episode 12 - Dead Body Myths! We get a little cheeky this time around and tackle some common myths we hear about dead bodies, embalming, cremation, and absurd mistakes that TV and movies continue to make. This was a fun discussion and we hope you learn something fun! 

]]> We get a little cheeky this time around and tackle some common myths we hear about dead bodies, embalming, cremation, and absurd mistakes that TV and movies continue to make. This was a fun discussion and we hope you learn something fun! 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-9109360 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400 2821 full false Episode 11 - Women in Funeral Service, Meet Your New Boss So this week we sat down with Kelley Sheridan and Brittney Voss Rapp, managers of Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home and Dugan Memorial Chapel, respectively. Kelley and Brittney are both licensed funeral directors and embalmers in Nebraska and give us their insight into being a strong female presence in a long male-dominated industry. 

]]> So this week we sat down with Kelley Sheridan and Brittney Voss Rapp, managers of Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home and Dugan Memorial Chapel, respectively. Kelley and Brittney are both licensed funeral directors and embalmers in Nebraska and give us their insight into being a strong female presence in a long male-dominated industry. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-9084938 Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400 2897 full false Episode 10 - Cost Versus Value In this episode we talk about that eternal question: "why are funerals so expensive?" Drawing from his own experience, Justin talks about why and what goes into the financial structure of a funeral and how we turn that into value for the family. 

]]> In this episode we talk about that eternal question: "why are funerals so expensive?" Drawing from his own experience, Justin talks about why and what goes into the financial structure of a funeral and how we turn that into value for the family. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-8895283 Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:00:00 -0400 2196 full false Episode 09 - Balacing Emotions and Burnout Berto and Justin talk in-depth about how a funeral director keeps a level head, doesn't bring the weight of emotional burden the job creates home, and how to balance their emotions effectively. We talk about some things that affected us and how we dealt with it. 

]]> Berto and Justin talk in-depth about how a funeral director keeps a level head, doesn't bring the weight of emotional burden the job creates home, and how to balance their emotions effectively. We talk about some things that affected us and how we dealt with it. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-8820847 Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:00:00 -0400 2532 full false Episode 08 - Unsung Heroes in Funeral Service In this episode we take a slight detour from our (ab)normal topics and sit down with Tabitha Cline-Mills and Chris Donhost to discuss organ donation. As embalmers we face certain challenges associated with donor cases and the insight we gain from Tabitha and Chris is paramount. 

Tabitha Cline-Mills is a funeral director and embalmer based in  Charlotte, NC who is the regional manager for Great Western Insurance Company. Tabitha's connection to organ donation is of close importance; after a nasty skiing fall, she received cadaver ligaments to repair her injured knee. 

Chris, also a funeral director and embalmer, is the Donor Recovery Liaison for Sierra Donor Services, based in Sacramento, CA. 

]]> In this episode we take a slight detour from our (ab)normal topics and sit down with Tabitha Cline-Mills and Chris Donhost to discuss organ donation. As embalmers we face certain challenges associated with donor cases and the insight we gain from Tabitha and Chris is paramount. 

Tabitha Cline-Mills is a funeral director and embalmer based in  Charlotte, NC who is the regional manager for Great Western Insurance Company. Tabitha's connection to organ donation is of close importance; after a nasty skiing fall, she received cadaver ligaments to repair her injured knee. 

Chris, also a funeral director and embalmer, is the Donor Recovery Liaison for Sierra Donor Services, based in Sacramento, CA. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-8578480 Mon, 24 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400 3920 full false Episode 07 - The Burning Question In this week's episode, Berto and Justin discuss the on-going debate in funeral service -- cremation. With the national cremation rate reaching almost 60% annually, it's evident that burial may soon be the minority. 

]]> In this week's episode, Berto and Justin discuss the on-going debate in funeral service -- cremation. With the national cremation rate reaching almost 60% annually, it's evident that burial may soon be the minority. 

]]> Justin Buzzsprout-8501954 Tue, 11 May 2021 15:00:00 -0400 2699 full false Episode 05 - Memorable Moments in Funeral Service Funeral directors come across a lot of different experiences in their careers. While some of those experiences may be the same, there are certainly a lot that stick out in their mind. In this episode, Berto and Justin sat down with Nathan Womack, manager and funeral director with Freeman Harris Funeral Home in Rockmart, GA to discuss some of his more memorable moments in funeral service. Spoiler alert - there's a SWAT team involved in one of them. 

]]> Funeral directors come across a lot of different experiences in their careers. While some of those experiences may be the same, there are certainly a lot that stick out in their mind. In this episode, Berto and Justin sat down with Nathan Womack, manager and funeral director with Freeman Harris Funeral Home in Rockmart, GA to discuss some of his more memorable moments in funeral service. Spoiler alert - there's a SWAT team involved in one of them. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10187753 Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2922 full false Episode 04 - To Err is Human: Mistakes in Funeral Service No one is perfect, not even funeral directors! Despite the fact that you only get one chance at a funeral and the goal is perfection, mistakes can and do happen. On this episode,  Berto and Justin sit down with Jim Dempsey, funeral director and manager of one of our Ohio locations, to discuss the mistakes he has made in his career. 

]]> No one is perfect, not even funeral directors! Despite the fact that you only get one chance at a funeral and the goal is perfection, mistakes can and do happen. On this episode,  Berto and Justin sit down with Jim Dempsey, funeral director and manager of one of our Ohio locations, to discuss the mistakes he has made in his career. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10114825 Thu, 25 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2694 full false Episode 03 - A Funeral Director's Day-to-Day In today's episode, Justin and Berto dive into what exactly it is a funeral director does on a day-to-day basis. There's so much more to their job than just directing funeral and meeting with families! 

]]> In today's episode, Justin and Berto dive into what exactly it is a funeral director does on a day-to-day basis. There's so much more to their job than just directing funeral and meeting with families! 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10100535 Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2190 full false Episode 02 - Millennials in Funeral Service In today's episode, Berto and Justin spoke with Everett Huffman, the youngest location manager in Rollings Funeral Service, to get his views (as a millennial) on funeral service and where it's headed, especially in regard to more personalized services. Everett manages two locations and a cemetery in north Georgia. 

]]> In today's episode, Berto and Justin spoke with Everett Huffman, the youngest location manager in Rollings Funeral Service, to get his views (as a millennial) on funeral service and where it's headed, especially in regard to more personalized services. Everett manages two locations and a cemetery in north Georgia. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-10085972 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2569 full false Episode 01 - An Introduction In the inaugural episode, Berto and Justin dive into their backgrounds in funeral service and why they wanted to start a death care podcast. With a combination of wit and humor, Berto and Justin want to open the casket on everything funeral related. 

]]> In the inaugural episode, Berto and Justin dive into their backgrounds in funeral service and why they wanted to start a death care podcast. With a combination of wit and humor, Berto and Justin want to open the casket on everything funeral related. 

]]> Berto Buzzsprout-9460610 Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0500 1980 full false