In this first epidsode of The Funeralcast Fastcast, we spotlight a powerful conversation on the history of Black funeral directing with Professor Edwin Jackson, explore what Ohio’s “Cradle of Coaches” means with the Mazzarella family, and break down one of the biggest conversations in mortuary education right now — the transition of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science into Xavier University. Plus, we highlight where to find the Frigid Fleet this month and share an In Case You Missed It featuring Jennifer Lares’ new role with Funeral Service Insider and a must-read article on Colorado funeral regulations.

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Edwin Jackson is a licensed funeral director and professor who has been working to better all of our undestand the contribution that African American funeral directors have made to funeral service history. Listen to Edwin share their incredible stories.

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Edwin's reccomended reading list

To Serve the Living: Funeral Directors and the African American Way of Death by Suzanne E. Smith

Passed On: African American Mourning Stories, A Memorial by Karla F.C. Holloway

Black Titan: A. G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire by Carol Jenkins

Dissertation- Undertakings: The Politics of African-American Funeral Directing by Christopher Leevy Johnson

Ever wonder how someone becomes Funeral Director of the Year? Us too! Ben sits down with Sam James, owner of James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC who also happens to be American Funeral Director’s Funeral Director of the Year 2025. Please rate and review the show!

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