What Happens to the Body When We Die? | Science of Death with Mortician Joél Simone Maldonado on Death & Culture

In this episode of The Hanged Woman Podcast, host Julienne Irons delves into the intricate and often hidden world of post-mortem care with licensed mortician and death advocate Joél Simone Maldonado, also known as The Grave Woman. Together, they explore the physical realities of death, including embalming, decomposition, and body preparation, as well as the cultural history of death care, especially the role of Black Americans in shaping modern practices. Joél also shares how spirituality and science intersect in her work, reminding us that caring for the dead is about more than science — it’s about dignity, reverence, and respect. Whether you’ve been curious about what happens after death or want to shift your relationship with mortality, this conversation offers a compassionate, unflinching perspective on a topic too often avoided.   ✨ This is The Hanged Woman Podcast, where perspective is power.   🔗  Connect with The Hanged Woman Podcast: Instagram → @3ofCupsHealing Website → The Hanged Woman Podcast ⚰️  Connect with Joél Simone Maldonado (The Grave Woman): Instagram → @TheGraveWoman Website → thegravewoman.com 🎶 Theme music by The Spacies → Instagram: @thespacies