The Final Curtain Never Closes
Episodes
Making CENTS of Funerary Customs
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Delve into the rich history and symbolism of coins beyond funerary practices in this intriguing discussion. Numismatist Larry Hoefer, a seasoned coin ...
What Happens to Implants After Cremation: The Truth About Metal Recycling
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Don Winsett explains how recycled implants and metals from cremation are safely refined, reduce environmental impact, and often fund charitable donati...
Haunting Stories of the Museum's Hometown
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
When a QR Code Tells a Life Story
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Life’s QR turns headstones and urns into portals for rich digital memorials, combining biographies, photos, videos, guest books, and family tree...
The Role of Crematoriums in Metal Recycling and Conservation
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What makes recycling metals from cremations crucial for both the environment and society? Mike McKenna, director of Recycling and Development with Cor...
Gathering, Grief, and the Life Box: How to Have Hard Conversations at the Table
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ashley Gould shares how simple, intentional gatherings around the table can ease hard conversations about illness, death, and legacy, using ethical wi...
How Grief Transforms Us: Exploring Global Funeral Traditions
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez explores universal themes in death rituals, examining how funerals, grief, and cultural customs intersect at the National Mus...
Unlocking the Secrets of Egyptian Mummification
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ancient Egyptian funeral practices revolved around the belief in preparing the body for burial to ensure a smooth journey in the afterlife. Preserving...
Beyond Fame: What Dead Celebrities Teach Us About Living Well
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Osborne, creator of the award-winning podcast Famous and Gravy, joins Genevieve to discuss how stories of the departed become mirrors for the ...
Remembering the Dead: Family, Rituals, and the Importance of Talking About Death
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez turned a childhood curiosity about death into a lifelong mission of education and advocacy. Her journey began with an early f...
A Tragic Loss That Sparked a Seatbelt Safety Movement: The Story of Kailee Mills
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The tragic loss of Kailee Mills inspired her family to turn pain into purpose by founding the Kailee Mills Foundation. Through heartfelt education and...
Beyond the Veil: Death, Grief, and Meaning
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover why Victorian death rituals still fascinate us today as author Paul Gambino discusses his book, Beyond the Veil, with Genevieve Keeney Vazque...
Hearses, Heels, and Heart: Adventures of a Third-Generation Funeral Woman
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa Baue stepped into funeral service as a third-generation funeral director, challenging long-held beliefs about who belonged in the profession. Her...
Exploring Bonds Beyond the Grave
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pa...
How Horror Stories Help Us Understand Death
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 stori...
Echoes of Loss: The Impact of a Friend's Death
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Frank Vazquez shares his journey of grief and loss after the death of his close friend, Tim. The conversation highlights the imp...
A Veterinarian’s Guide to Pet Loss and Healing
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
He has One of the Largest Urn Collections in the World
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 u...
The Art of Cemetery Landscaping
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does a landscape maintenance expert become an indispensable ally in the cemetery care industry? Don Winsett, a strategy consultant and execu...
Navigating Grief in the Digital Age
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez, the president and CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History, interviews Bridget Caletka, a grief counselor with Mosaics ...
Understanding Digital Legacy: How to Prepare for the Inevitable
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What role does technology play in end-of-life planning? Niki Weiss joins the podcast to discuss the intersection of technology and death planning. Nik...
This Episode will Change the Way You View Cremation
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Kemmis serves as the Executive Director of Cremation Association of North America (CANA). During this episode, we discuss her unlikely path to...
Transforming Cremation Containers with Eco-Friendly Designs
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What ignites the creation of a memorial service product that embodies personal stories and environmental consciousness? Life Art's innovative crematio...
The Most Famous Burial of All-Time
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Barrie Schwortz and Rudy Dichtl have spent the greater part of the past few decades researching and authenticating the Shroud of Turin. They joi...
Modern Technology Meets Ancient Artifact: The Shroud of Turin
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does the Shroud of Turin continue to captivate both scientific interest and spiritual devotion? Nora Creech's lifetime passion culminated in her c...
Educating the Next Generation of Funeral Directors
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to become a dedicated funeral director? Cody Lopasky, president of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services, delves into the educa...
The Evolution of Funeral Services: From Cemeteries to Comprehensive Care
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does the ICCFA adapt to ever-evolving consumer needs in the funeral profession? Nadira Baddeliyanage, executive director of ICCFA, discusses the a...
A History of Funeral Traditions for U.S. Presidents
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez interviews Bob Boetticher Sr., a funeral director with 59 years of experience, about his career and the...
The Role of Crematoriums in Metal Recycling and Conservation
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes recycling metals from cremations crucial for both the environment and society? Mike McKenna, director of Recycling and Development with Cor...
The Art of Caring for the Departed: Insights from Hayley Campbell
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hayley Campbell writes for WIRED, Buzzfeed, The Guardian, and VICE, among many others. She’s written a book about Neil Gaiman and her most recen...
Breaking the Silence: A Conversation on Death and Crime
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rania Mankarios, the CEO of Crime Stoppers in Houston, joins the podcast to discuss crime prevention and the significance of preparedness in crisis si...
Honoring Our Fallen Veterans This Holiday Season
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez hosts Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America (WAA). They delve into honoring fallen ve...
Haunted Highways and Sacred Grounds: Exploring Texas's Eerie Landscapes
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is the preservation of forgotten cemeteries crucial amidst rapid urban development? As a commercial realtor with a passion for Texas history, Cary...
The Importance of Wills and Estate Planning
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is having a will so indispensable? Ken Wise emphasizes the crucial need for organized estate planning to prevent complex legal disputes and ensu...
How Near-Death Experiences Shape Our Purpose and Empathy
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do near-death experiences seem to offer transformative impacts on individuals' lives? Genevieve hosts a discussion with Kathi Beasley from The Ins...
Whispers of Butterflies: Messages from Heaven
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How does one woman's unique approach to art and nature inspire her work? Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez hosts Ashley Worhol on "The Final Curtain Never Clos...
Historical Perspectives on Final Rites
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How does one navigate the intricate world of death and its rituals? Welcome to "The Final Curtain Never Closes," the podcast from The National Museu...
Born Without Arms, He Outlived Doctors' Expectations
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Unlocking the Secrets of Egyptian Mummification
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ancient Egyptian funeral practices revolved around the belief in preparing the body for burial to ensure a smooth journey in the afterlife. Preserving...
Navigating Grief in the Digital Age
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez, the president and CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History, interviews Bridget Caletka, a grief counselor with Mosaics ...
Exploring Bonds Beyond the Grave
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 pa...
Making CENTS of Funerary Customs
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Delve into the rich history and symbolism of coins beyond funerary practices in this intriguing discussion. Numismatist Larry Hoefer, a seasoned coin ...
A History of Funeral Traditions for U.S. Presidents
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez interviews Bob Boetticher Sr., a funeral director with 59 years of experience, about his career and the...
Echoes of Loss: The Impact of a Friend's Death
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Frank Vazquez shares his journey of grief and loss after the death of his close friend, Tim. The conversation highlights the imp...
Honoring Our Fallen Veterans This Holiday Season
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez hosts Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America (WAA). They delve into honoring fallen ve...
How NMFH Celebrates Dia de los Muertos Every Day
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
November is an action packed month here at the museum. While the world payed homage to our dearly departed during the first two days of the month, we ...
Haunting Stories of the Museum's Hometown
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mourning Those Lost on 9/11
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Host and President/CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez sits down with producer Freddy Cruz to discuss the twenty-se...
Your Final Days aren't Just About You
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
During this episode of The Final Curtain Never Closes, NMFH President and CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez and her husband Frank have a candid conversatio...
What it Takes to Become a Funeral Director
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ask anyone who works in the death care industry and they'll tell you some version of the same thing. "I was called to do this work." That's how Cody L...
All the Living and the Dead, a Conversation with Author Hayley Campbell
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hayley Campbell writes for WIRED, Buzzfeed, The Guardian, and VICE, among many others. She’s written a book about Neil Gaiman and her most recen...
BONUS EPISODE: A Tribute to Robert L. Waltrip
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This bonus episode pays tribute to Robert L. Waltrip, who passed away on February 27th, 2023. Host and museum president/CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez i...
The Most Famous Burial of All-Time
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barrie Schwortz and Rudy Dichtl have spent the greater part of the past few decades researching and authenticating the Shroud of Turin. They join mu...
He has One of the Largest Urn Collections in the World
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 u...
This Episode will Change the Way You View Cremation
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Kemmis serves as the Executive Director of Cremation Association of North America (CANA). During this episode, we discuss her unlikely path to...
The Final Curtain Never Closes, an Introduction to The National Museum of Funeral History
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The National Museum of Funeral History's new podcast series. The Final Curtain Never Closes will provide a glimpse into the world of all th...