The Last Track

Deciding whether or not to bring a child to a funeral is a very difficult and sometimes overwhelming decision. Brian Norris talks about how to decide whether a child should attend a funeral and how to present the choice of whether to go or not to a child. This podcast references an article written by  Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and counseling at the College of New Rochelle and a senior consultant to the Hospi...

Grief is a difficult subject to talk about, especially when talking about it to a child for the first time. Brian talks about ways to help a child process grief and understand the permanence of death. He covers how grief can be expressed through the body and through actions, as well as how to explain the feeling of grief to a child. There are activities that Brian suggests, which are linked in the description below. Brian also talk...

For this podcast mini series, Brian talks about different religious funeral rituals and gives a brief overview for each of the religions covered in this series. In this episode, Brian talks about different Russian Orthodox rituals and traditions you may see. He talks about the reading of Psalms 118 and hearing a cantor at the funeral. Brian also talks about the rituals that will happen at a graveside burial at a Russian Orthodox fu...

For this podcast mini series, Brian talks about different religious funeral rituals and gives a brief overview for each of the religions covered in this series. In this podcast, Brian talks about different Buddhist rituals and traditions you may see if you attend a Buddhist funeral. He talks about the different colors of candles present, food offerings, clothing and many other rituals you may see if you attend a Buddhist funeral.

This podcast features a recording from a seminar that Brian presented at.  The seminar was focused on common questions that are asked about the funeral industry. He covers the different types of final dispositions are including burial, cremation, ship out, who is your legal Next of Kin, what it means to do an Appointment of Another and answers questions the audience has. Brian talks about how to make sure that your final expenses a...

This trilogy is exploring the reasons that individuals may choose cremation or burial. In this podcast, Brian talks about the different benefits for cremation, such as easier transportation out of state and more flexibility for when to hold a memorial. This episode also talks about why a person may prefer burial, such as having a permanent memorial location and personalization options for headstones.  
 Brian also goes over the...

This trilogy is exploring the reasons that individuals may choose cremation or burial. In this podcast,  Brian talks about different questions that are frequently asked about both cremation and burial. Some of the questions covered in this episode include:

• Can I pay for everything at the funeral home or do I have to coordinate with a cemetery too?
• What costs are associated with burial?
• Can only veterans be buried at sea?
• What are m...

This trilogy is exploring the reasons that individuals may choose cremation or burial. In this podcast, Brian covers what a green final disposition is, a green cemetery is and the different options available. From natural burial, burial at sea and urn burial to a water release or releasing ceremony, this podcast covers many different choices at hand. Brian also talks about scattering and memorial gardens. 
At the end, Brian tal...

For this podcast mini series, Brian talks about different religious funeral rituals and gives a brief overview for each of the religions covered in this series. In this episode, Brian talks about different Jewish Orthodox rituals and traditions you may see at a service. There are special prayers said while sitting shiva that Brian talks about as well as rituals such as kaddish prayers and reciting of Psalms. 

If you have any questio...

For this podcast mini series, Brian talks about different religious funeral rituals and gives a brief overview for each of the religions covered in this series. In this episode, Brian talks about different Latter Day Saint/Mormon funeral rituals and traditions you may see if you attend an LDS funeral. He talks about religious clothing that you may see if there is a visitation before the funeral. Brian also explains the guidelines r...

For this podcast mini series, Brian talks about different religious funeral rituals and gives a brief overview for each of the religions covered in this series.  In this podcast, Brian talks about different Lutheran rituals and traditions you may see if you attend a Lutheran funeral. He talks about  holy communion and how you may hear the Lord's Prayer said during the service.  Brian also discusses the Apostles Creed and many ...

In another episode for this trilogy, Brian Norris talks about the most common questions he receives in a presentation given at the Newport Chamber of Commerce. This presentation answers questions such as how many death certificates are needed.  After the seminar, Brian received several questions. In this podcast, he will answer those questions such as: 

• Who is Next of Kin?
• Does the prearrangement have to be followed? 
• If I pay for...

This trilogy is focused on travel and funerals. In this podcast, Brian talks about how to travel with an urn and take it on a plane. There have been a lot of changes with the added security in airports in the last few decades. Brian talks about the process of how to take an urn on a plane both internationally and nationally. Additionally, Brian talks about different ways to transport an urn home, such as shipping an urn through USP...

Going on a vacation or trip should be a fun and exciting adventure. But the reality is, especially for those with a pre-existing or terminal condition, no one knows when or where they will pass away.
In this podcast, Brian talks about what a protection plan is and whether it makes sense to purchase. A travel protection plan helps to cover the cost of transporting remains back to a funeral home of choice if a person dies while a...

Holding an online memorial for a loved one can be very healing for loved ones near and far.  In this episode, Brian talks about ideas for creating an online memorial that friends and family around the world can attend. This podcast covers many ways to honor a loved one online from making a video tribute to creating an online obituary page.  Brian talks about how to live stream a memorial or funeral service and utilize an online obi...

In this episode, Brian talks about how cemeteries and funeral homes work together and why some companies choose to focus on one aspect of the business vs both. While some funeral homes also own cemeteries, not all do. Both can be stand alone organizations. However, all funeral homes and cemeteries work closely together, with some being run by the same organization. He talks about mausoleums and columbariums and why funeral homes ma...