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Join the dynamic trio—Jennie, Dianne, and Ryan Seidemann—for the third chapter of the “Death and Dying 101” series! This episode dives into global memorials, uncovering cultural quirks and mysteries. Are catacombs serene sanctuaries or lively public spaces? Unravel the Victorian dread of premature burial and the coffin bells that chimed in the night. Explore the collision of burial and cremation in our global village. Delve into the Ordinary Extraordinary Tibetan tradition of letting nature reclaim the body. Learn how enslavement shaped African burial customs across the Americas. All this and more on this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast.

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FoBaByzbkCY

To learn more about the 19 who were returned to be honored by their descendants, check out the following links:

1. https://www.dillard.edu/about/honoring-the-nineteen/

2. https://vimeo.com/event/5154230

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie, or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

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"Every death had a life and every life had a story," but how is it that we uncover so many of the narratives we share on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast? Much of it comes from searching through genealogical archives and other records. On this latest episode, Jennie and Dianne chat with Jen Shaffer, a full-time professional genealogist and owner of The Formidable Genealogist. She is passionate about short-form genealogy education and has made it her mission to help make the complex world of ancestry accessible to everyone. She engages her audience with daily social media videos, where she generously shares insightful tips, techniques, and stories from the field. Tune in to discover how Jen’s expertise helps us connect the Ordinary Extraordinary dots between lives lived, stories told, and the legacies left behind.

To learn more about the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and how to support it, visit: https://fundnara.com/

Want to learn how to research like Jen Shaffer? Visit her website to purchase her guides, sign up for her classes, and more! https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/

You can also find her as The Formidable Genealogist on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and BlueSky.

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie, or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email.

Get ready to stop and smell the roses...in the cemetery! This week Jennie and Dianne explore the practical, symbolic, and cultural significance of flowers in death. From ancient Egypt and Greece to Victorian-era cemeteries, flowers have played a significant role in mourning and remembrance around the globe. Sow the seeds of curiosity and tune in to this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast as we dig up the dirt on floral death traditions.

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e7tFcdAnPV4

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

Resources used to research this episode include:

Staff, B. & W. (n.d.). Bloom & Wild Flower Delivery: Flowers & Gifts. https://www.bloomandwild.com/the-blog/floriography-language-of-flowers-meaning

Wessel, F. (n.d.). Flower symbols and meanings on gravestones. Stoneletters. https://stoneletters.com/blog/flower-symbols-and-meanings-on-gravestones

O'Brien, M. (2022, October 27). The Significance of Funeral Flowers. Www.Kelleyhousemuseum.org. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/the-significance-of-funeral-flowers-by-marguerite-obrien/

(n.d.). Memorial Flowers: The Oldest Form of Tribute. Journalofantiques.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://journalofantiques.com/features/flowers-the-oldest-form-of-tribute/

Woodyard, C. (2024, February 21). Funeral Flowers. Thevictorianbookofthedead.Wordpress.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/tag/funeral-flowers/

(n.d.). Crown of justification. En.Wikipedia.org. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_justification

(2023, September 11). What is the meaning of the wreath at a funeral? Funeralflorist.Wordpress.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://funeralflorist.wordpress.com/2023/09/11/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-wreath-at-a-funeral/

Staff, S. &. V. (2018, August 9). The Fascinating History of Funeral Wreaths. Www.Scentandviolet.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.scentandviolet.com/info/blog/fascinating-history-funeral-wreaths/?srsltid=AfmBOooLmeLyV-Tcs-gMhrZaNMd8-PkH5CdrSgIUr5ttKEZY6AfMxmBM

(n.d.). Thistle - national flower of Scotland. Www.Visitscotland.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/arts-culture/thistle