Restoring Natural Burial Methods with Melissa Meadow of The Modern Mortician

In this episode of Return to Nature, Melissa interviews Melissa Meadow, a formerly dual-licensed funeral professional who has spent over two decades witnessing, participating in, and ultimately challenging the traditional funeral industry. Known online as The Modern Mortician, she now dedicates her time to public death care education, end-of-life doula services, and behind-the-scenes support for progressive funeral providers.Through her social media presence, podcast, and consulting work, Melissa is transforming how people approach death, ensuring that everyone has access to accurate, unbiased information about their end-of-life options.For those looking to understand, navigate, or challenge the traditional funeral industry, Melissa Meadow isn’t just a resource—she’s a revolution.DISCLAIMER: This episode contains sensitive and detailed information about the inner workings of the funeral industry and process of death care. Please listen at your own discretion. Melissa Shares:How she started working in death care and the funeral industry The schooling required to be a funeral director or embalmer and what they don’t teach you in schoolThe history and evolution of burial and the misconception about Egyptian burialsHow and why death was taken out of the homeHow embalming works Selling people on the idea of “the memory picture”How flame cremation worksThe lack of studies and information on the environmental impacts of traditional funeral careWhat water cremation is and how it worksHow human composting worksThe trending natural burial ideas that don’t actually workHow pets can be a great way to teach children and their parents about death careThe reason why natural burial can seem inaccessible and how it’s possible to do it even at a traditional cemeteryHow to find a green burial cemetery, natural burial cemetery, or conservation burial cemetery near youWhat a conservation burial cemetery is and the benefits of burying a loved one thereThe logistics of burial at seaThe show Six Feet Under as a close representation of what it’s like to work in the funeral industryWhat it was like to leave the traditional funeral industry and begin advocating for natural burialExposing the profit model of the funeral industry How wills factor into choosing a burial type for yourself or your loved oneTitan casket as a more affordable alternative to funeral home options, with eco-friendly options Cemetery maintenance and what constitutes a truly a natural burialYou can connect with Melissa via The Modern MorticianWebsite: www.themodernmortician.comInstagram: the_modern_mortician Facebook: themodernmorticianIntro/Outro music by Ken Belcher