Buried in Work Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This conversation dives into grief, legacy, innovation, and how one woman transformed a deeply personal loss into a mission-driven company that’s changing how we honor our loved ones.

In this episode of the Buried in Work podcast, Adam speaks with Adelle Archer, co-founder and CEO of Eterneva — a company that transforms the ashes or hair of loved ones into lab-grown diamonds. What began as a personal loss became a bold mission to reimagine how we celebrate life and navigate death.

Adelle shares the heartbreaking story that led to Eterneva, how the diamond creation process works, and why so many families find healing through what she calls a grief wellness journey. From transparency and trust to technology and tenderness, this conversation shines light on a new, meaningful way to remember the people we love.

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What if your final resting place could help restore nature instead of harm it? In this episode of the Buried in Work podcast, licensed funeral director, certified life cycle celebrant, and founder of the Colorado Burial Preserve, Emily B. Miller, joins us to explore how green burial is more than an eco-friendly alternative—it’s a return to something profoundly human.

Emily shares her journey from studying world religions to becoming a national advocate for natural burial. As a board member of the Green Burial Council, she unpacks the truths behind traditional funeral practices, the emotional power of ritual, and why letting go of embalming, vaults, and commercialized funerals might actually help us heal.

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In this episode of The Buried in Work Podcast, host Adam Zuckerman speaks with Gail Rubin, widely known as The Doyenne of Death, about the power and peace of mind that comes from funeral planning, estate preparation, and end-of-life conversations.

Gail, author of A Good Goodbye and founder of the Before I Die Festival, shares how humor, storytelling, and even movies can break the taboo around death. You'll learn the real reason most people delay planning, the biggest mistakes in estate planning, how digital legacy planning (like managing passwords) is now essential, and why talking about death now is the greatest gift you can leave your loved ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Avoiding death conversations causes chaos later — Planning ahead relieves your loved ones from making rushed, emotional decisions.
• Only 1 in 3 adults do end-of-life planning — Fear, procrastination, and low self-esteem often hold people back.
• Passwords and digital assets are often forgotten — Without sharing access, managing your online life after death becomes nearly impossible.
• Prepaying funeral expenses can save thousands — Gail's family saved over $4,000 by securing burial and funeral plans in advance.
• Five critical details must go on a death certificate — Including birthplace, Social Security number, and veteran status—these should be documented and shared.

Showlinks:

1. Gail Rubin’s Website: www.agoodgoodbye.com
2. Before I Die Festival: www.beforeidiefestivals.com
3. Books by Gail Rubin:

• A Good Goodbye
• Hail and Farewell
• Kicking the Bucket List
• Mortality Movies (TV series)

💼 Get the CLEAR Kit: www.buriedinwork.com – Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off your estate preparations.

💬 Share this episode with someone you love—because one day, they may be the one left to plan your goodbye.

Connect with Buried in Work

• Website// https://buriedinwork.com/
• Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buriedinwork
• Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buriedinwork/
• LinkedIn// https://www.linkedin.com/company/buriedinwork

What if you had just one year left with the person you love most—would you know how to say goodbye?

Amy Shaw shares the story of her husband’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis and how it transformed her from a mother of 10 into a full-time caregiver. With grace and honesty, Amy opens up about what it truly means to walk someone through the end of life with dignity, how to talk to kids about death, and the parts of estate planning most families forget.

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In this episode of Buried in Work, Lynn Hall, Manager of the Unclaimed Property Unit for the District of Columbia, shares her 36+ years of expertise in asset recovery and fraud prevention. You’ll learn how unclaimed property is tracked, how DC’s proactive outreach programs are helping citizens reclaim their money faster, and the surprising items found in safe deposit boxes. Plus, hear why public engagement is more important than ever—and how easy it is to check if you’re owed unclaimed funds!

👉 Visit buriedinwork.com for the full show notes

👉 Visit Buried in Work Unclaimed Property Hub: https://buriedinwork.com/unclaimed-property

What does it really mean to age well — especially when you’re doing it alone?

You think there's still time—until there isn't.

Dr. Corinne Auman, gerontologist, developmental psychologist, and founder of Choice Care Navigators, shares the emotional and financial chaos that unfolds when families don’t plan for aging. She’s also the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging, and she’s here to show us why proactive planning isn't just smart—it’s urgent. If you’ve ever thought, “We’ll deal with it when the time comes,” this conversation is your wake-up call.

Visit Buried in Work for the FULL SHOW NOTES  and how to simplify your estate planning and end-of-life tasks.

👉 Want to learn more about aging well? Visit our Aging in Place information hub: https://buriedinwork.com/info-hubs/aging-in-place

“This is the worst day of someone’s life. And we have the chance to give them a sliver of hope.”

From attending strangers’ funerals at age 5 to holding a human brain in his hands—Calvin Amato’s journey is unlike anything you’ve heard. As a Funeral Director-in-Training at Koch Funeral Home and a Brain Recovery Specialist, Calvin is helping families face death with compassion, dignity, and purpose.

This episode will move you, challenge you, and open your eyes to the emotional, scientific, and human side of death care.

Visit Buried in Work for the FULL SHOW NOTES  and how to simplify your estate planning and end-of-life tasks.

What do funeral directors really do—and why does it matter more than ever?

Chris Robinson, the 2024–2025 President of the National Funeral Directors Association, who shares how a summer job as a teenage gravedigger led to a lifelong mission of helping families through their hardest moments. From the unseen emotional labor to the impact of pre-planning and technology, this episode unveils the humanity, skill, and heart behind every dignified goodbye.

Visit Buried in Work for the FULL SHOW NOTES  and how to simplify your estate planning and end-of-life tasks.

Cremation is now the #1 choice in America—over 60% of families are choosing it. But what most people don’t know about cremation can create chaos, confusion, and costly mistakes when the time comes. In this episode of Buried in Work Podcast, Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America reveals the real story behind cremation trends, what families often get wrong, and the surprising rise of new alternatives like water cremation and human composting. From misunderstood laws to emotional oversights in cremation planning, this episode dives into the heart of modern funerals, end-of-life planning, and the deeply personal choices we all face. Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a recent loss, these insights could change how you think about deathcare—forever.

Visit buriedinwork.com for the full show notes

What does it really mean to age well — especially when you’re doing it alone?

In this episode of The Buried in Work Podcast, host Adam Zuckerman sits down with Steve Gurney, founder of the Positive Aging Community, who has spent over 30 years helping families navigate the often overwhelming world of aging, solo living, downsizing, and end-of-life decisions.

Through deeply personal stories and eye-opening insights, Steve reveals how embracing positive aging — rather than avoiding it — can help you live more meaningfully, prepare more confidently, and create a lasting impact for those you love.

Whether you’re navigating these transitions yourself or supporting a loved one, this conversation is packed with real talk, compassion, and the clarity we all need more of.

Visit Buried in Work for the FULL SHOW NOTES and how to simplify your estate planning and end-of-life tasks.