ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of The Stronger Together Podcast with Anne and Michael, we sit down with Melanie, better known online as Crematory Mel, a licensed crematory operator in Ohio who has made it her mission to educate people about cremation and what happens behind the scenes.
Through her social media videos, Melanie shares glimpses into her day-to-day work and explains the cremation process in a way that helps remove some of the mystery, fear, and misconceptions surrounding cremation. For Melanie, education is a way of helping people better understand something they may one day have to face.
But behind Crematory Mel is a much bigger personal story.
Melanie never imagined she would find herself working in the cremation profession. Her own life experiences—including growing up in an unstable home, feeling like the black sheep of her family, and becoming a mother at just 16—helped shape the resilience and compassion she brings to her work today. She and her oldest son essentially grew up together, navigating life's challenges side by side. Years later, she welcomed her second child, experiencing another unexpected and beautiful chapter in her life.
Today, Melanie sees her work as much more than operating a crematory. Behind every person who comes into her care is a family experiencing loss, and she never loses sight of the people connected to the person in her care.
In this conversation, we talk about cremation, education, motherhood, family, resilience, grief, and finding purpose in places we never expected to be.
Crematory Mel's story is a reminder that sometimes the experiences that challenge us most can become the very experiences that prepare us to help others.
Behind this podcast is Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meaningful peer support and resources for funeral professionals. FPPS exists to foster connection, understanding, and care within a profession that often supports others before itself.Learn more
https://funeralspeersupport.co
CHAPTERS
OUR SPONSOR
Funeral Support Services shares FPPS's belief that caring for those who serve families during life's most difficult moments is essential. We are grateful for their partnership and their ongoing support of initiatives that strengthen the profession through understanding, compassion, and community.
Learn more
HOSTS
Anne Caldwell
Michael Dixon – Founder & President, Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS)
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER
Peter Jaekel
PROFESSIONAL & CRISIS RESOURCES
• Crisis & Suicide Prevention (Canada)
Phone: 988 (available 24/7)
Website: https://988.ca
• Crisis Text Line (Canada & U.S.)
Text HOME to 741741 (free, confidential support)
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org
• Remembering A Life
Website: http://www.rememberingalife.com
Resources: Grief education and remembrance resources that help families honor and remember loved ones
• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
Phone: 800-228-6332
Website: https://www.nfda.org
Resources: Continuing education, peer support, professional tools
• Canadian Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)
Phone: 1-877-688-2332
Website: https://cfda.ca
Resources: Training, advocacy, networking
• Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
Phone: 866-426-2621
Website: https://www.cremationassociation.org
• Ontario Funeral and Cremation Association (OFCA)
Phone: 1-800-287-7636
Website: https://www.ofca.org
• International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) (United States)
Website: https://iccfa.com
