John Adams sits down with Lani Hepi in New Zealand to explore Māori funeral customs, grief, and the collective nature of mourning through tangihanga.

The conversation looks at how Māori communities come together after death, the importance of presence, ritual, family, and shared responsibility, and what Western funeral practice can learn from cultures where grief is held by the whole community.

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🙌 OUR SPONSORS

Principal Sponsor

National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (https://nafd.org.uk)

A progressive and inclusive voice for the funeral profession and bereaved people across the UK, the NAFD leads with integrity, advocacy, and education.

GreenAcres (https://greenacresgroup.co.uk/)

With six beautiful Living Memorial Parks across the UK, GreenAcres offers families natural, uplifting places to reflect, remember, and reconnect with those they’ve lost.

FuneralBranch (https://funeralbranch.com/)

FuneralBranch websites help funeral directors rank higher in search, clearly present their services, accept online payments, and convert early interest into meaningful enquiries.

Westerleigh Group (https://westerleighgroup.co.uk/)

Westerleigh Group provides high-quality cremation services in calm, thoughtfully designed spaces, putting care, respect, and choice at the heart of every farewell.

MuchLoved (https://muchloved.com/)

MuchLoved helps families create lasting online memorials. A place to share memories, light candles, and honour lives with love and connection.

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📌 ABOUT THE PODCAST

Death: A Changing Industry explores the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of funerals, bereavement, and remembrance.

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