Let's talk about death. It's a conversation many shy away from, but it’s something everyone will experience. In Sorry for Your Loss, we explore the questions we often avoid: What happens to a body after it’s taken away? How do you talk about death with kids? And what should you say—or not say—to someone in their final days?
Hosted by author and former media executive Denise Donlon and death care professional John Monahan, this podcast aims to normalize the inevitable and help us all navigate the often uncomfortable conversations surrounding death.
Join us as we explore what happens when you die, how to prepare, the costs of death care, the options for sustainable burials, and how professionals like embalmers cope with working in a death-centered industry. Through expert guests and candid discussions, Sorry for Your Loss pulls back the veil on the world of dying and death, offering a sensitive and informative approach to understanding what lies ahead.
This podcast is your user guide to the end—or beyond. Join us on this journey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Behind the Scenes of Goodbye: Logistics and Rituals of Death
In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we explore what happens in the hours and days after someone dies—before they reach their final resting place. What actually happens between the deathbed and the gravesite, the crematorium, or wherever a person’s remains are destined to go? First, we join Mount Pleasant Group funeral director Sarah Mannone to take a look at the unseen world of transfer teams and funeral logistics. Then, we speak with Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, an ordained minister, interfaith consultant, and former General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches who brings a rich understanding of the rituals, customs, and cultural differences that shape how we honour the dead. From faith-based traditions to modern shifts in funeral planning, we explore how the steps after death are deeply human, and never one-size-fits-all.
Links & Resources
Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website (https://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/) for more information and resources.
Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
14 Jan 2026
The Fine Print of Dying: Regulation, Rights, and Protection
In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we unpack how Ontario’s death-care system works—and why strong consumer protections matter when families are grieving.
First, Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge and consumer representative on the BAO board, explains what rights Ontarians have, the real costs of funerals and cremations, and why planning ahead can prevent stress and overspending. Then, Jim Cassimatis, former Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, takes us inside the regulator’s role: how complaints are handled, what rules providers must follow, and the safeguards in place to ensure fairness and transparency.
Links & Resources
Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website (https://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/) for more information and resources.
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Consumer Information Guide (https://thebao.ca/wp-content/uploads/BAO_CIG_Eng_July2025.pdf)
This episode features an interview with Jim Cassimatis. The interview was recorded in early 2025 when he was still serving in the role of Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Jim left that position in Summer 2025.
Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
31 Dec 2025
Honouring Lives: The Art of Eulogies and Obituaries
Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes and Sandra Martin discuss the evolving art of eulogies and obituaries with hosts Denise and John, highlighting how these tributes provide meaningful closure for the living in this interview episode.
17 Dec 2025
Small Voices, Big Questions: Talking to Kids About Death
Grief expert Kitrina Fex discusses with host Denise how children experience grief and what caregivers can do to support them, while Sarah Keast shares her experience talking to her daughters about death in this interview episode.
3 Dec 2025
Green Goodbyes: Exploring Sustainable Death Care
Former registrar Jim Cassimatis and funeral director Quinn Hunter discuss sustainable death care practices like aquamation and forest interment, highlighting consumer protections and evolving alternatives to traditional burials in this interview episode.
19 Nov 2025
The Choice to Die: A Conversation About MAID
Dr. Jean Marmoreo and Krista Carr discuss Medical Assistance in Dying, exploring the process and its implications from medical and disability rights perspectives in this interview.
5 Nov 2025
When Someone You Love Is Dying: How to Talk, How to Listen (Part 2)
Hosts Denise Donlon and John Monahan interview Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller, who offers practical guidance on navigating end-of-life conversations, supporting loved ones, and creating meaningful moments.
22 Oct 2025
When Someone You Love Is Dying: How to Talk, How to Listen (Part 1)
Hosts Denise Donlon and John Monahan interview Dr. Nadine Persaud, a palliative care physician, about how to communicate and listen effectively when a loved one is dying, emphasizing presence over perfect words.
8 Oct 2025
Behind the Scenes of Deathcare: Embalming, Funerals, and Finding Meaning
Funeral director Macey Duncan and embalmer Natasha Bryan reveal the emotional and mental challenges of deathcare, highlighting the meaning they find in aiding grieving families in this interview episode.
24 Sept 2025
Mourning Heals: Family, Rituals, and Grief
Funeral director Linda Lee and author Katherine Ashenburg examine the impact of death on families, exploring funeral practices, cultural traditions, and the evolution of mourning rituals in this interview episode.
10 Sept 2025
Compassionate Care: Understanding The Role of An End-Of-Life Doula
End-of-life doula Sue Phillips guides host Denise and guest Shelley Carr through the emotional and practical aspects of compassionate end-of-life care.
5 Mar 2025
Introducing: Sorry for Your Loss
Let's talk about death. It's a conversation many shy away from, but it’s something everyone will experience. In Sorry for Your Loss, we explore the questions we often avoid: What happens to a body after it’s taken away? How do you talk about death with kids? And what should you say—or not say—to someone in their final days?
Hosted by author and former media executive Denise Donlon and death care professional John Monahan, this podcast aims to normalize the inevitable and help us all navigate the often uncomfortable conversations surrounding death.
Join us as we explore what happens when you die, how to prepare, the costs of death care, the options for sustainable burials, and how professionals like embalmers cope with working in a death-centered industry. Through expert guests and candid discussions, Sorry for Your Loss pulls back the veil on the world of dying and death, offering a sensitive and informative approach to understanding what lies ahead.
This podcast is your user guide to the end—or beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Sorry for Your Loss
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Reverend Dr Brent Hawkes
Sandra Martin
Kitrina Fex
Sarah Keast
Jim Cassimatis
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
15
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Sorry for Your Loss
Guest appearances
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