The Repast Podcast

When your wishes are documented, your family doesn’t have to guess what you would have wanted during an already difficult time.
 
We’re talking about the things families may not think about until they’re suddenly faced with them: Where is your important paperwork? Who knows how to access it? Who will make your funeral arrangements? What happens when family members have different opinions?
 
Understand this, pre-planning isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about making sure your wishes are known and taking some of the burden off the people you leave behind. When the important decisions have already been made, your family can spend less time trying to figure out what you would have wanted and more time grieving, remembering, and celebrating your life.
 
So grab your notes, pull your family into the conversation, and listen in. Having these conversations before you need them can make all the difference.
 
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
 
Have a question or a topic you want us to discuss? Send it our way. You might hear your question answered on a future episode! Email us at therepastpodcast@gmail.com or simply submit your questions here

What happens when the funeral business isn’t just your career… it’s the world you grew up in?
In this episode of The Repast Podcast, India Scott and Antonio Green sits down with, Carla Cole, and Steve Kemp Jr. for a candid conversation about what it means to be born into funeral service. From being picked up from school in a hearse to eventually becoming the people running the business, they share what it was like growing up around death, family, employees who watched them grow up, and the responsibility of carrying a legacy forward.
Understand that being born into the business doesn’t necessarily mean being forced into it. The conversation gets real about choosing your own path, finding purpose in the work, stepping into leadership, earning the respect of an older generation, and navigating the changes that come with taking a family business into a new era.
Of course, The Ushers Want to Know brings the questions you’ve been waiting to ask: Is there really an unspoken code between funeral homes? How has cremation changed the funeral business? Can families pay for funeral services over time? And why is preplanning one of the most important conversations families can have?
This one is about legacy, leadership, family, service, and what it really means to carry something that was built before you.
Pull up a seat. Born Into Death is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
Have a question or a topic you want us to discuss? Send it our way. You might hear your question answered on a future episode! Email us at therepastpodcast@gmail.com or simply submit your questions here

Confessionals of the Funeral Director: Part 2
You asked the questions and we’re giving you the answers!
In this episode of The Repast Podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain once again and giving you a real look at what it’s like to work in the funeral industry, from the things that test your patience to the emotional weight that comes with serving families during some of their most difficult moments.
We’re talking about the calls that never seem to stop, how funeral directors manage their own emotions, what it really means to “read the room” when every family is different, and why being professional doesn’t mean being desensitized to grief.
We’re getting into the questions people have asked, including why caskets cost what they cost and how James H. Cole continues to balance business with its commitment to serving the community.
 
This is Confessionals of the Funeral Director, Part 2. Pull up a seat, listen in, and let’s talk about what happens behind the scenes.
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
Have a question or a topic you want us to discuss? Send it our way. You might hear your question answered on a future episode! Email us at therepastpodcast@gmail.com or simply submit your questions here

What does it really take to answer the call to funeral service?
In this episode of The Repast Podcast, Antonio Green and India Ramsey sit down for an honest conversation about entering the funeral service profession, learning the business and discovering the deeper purpose behind caring for families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
From mortuary science education and hands-on experience to the misconceptions people have about working inside a funeral home, this episode offers a real look at the preparation, compassion and commitment required to serve others well. The conversation also explores the next generation of funeral professionals and what it means to continue building a meaningful legacy in an industry that is constantly evolving.

After a little time away, The Repast Podcast is back, and we’ve got a lot to talk about!
In this episode, The Next Course, we’re catching you up on what’s been happening at James H. Cole, in the Detroit community, and behind the scenes since you last heard from us.
We’re talking about the work of the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation, our commitment to giving back to Detroit, the upcoming Heroes & Hope event, and the exciting new banquet facility, named in honor of Carla Cole and the legacy she continues to build.
Of course, we couldn’t get together without getting into some real conversations.
From navigating the summer heat and keeping our loved ones safe, to the realities we’re seeing with motor vehicle accidents and drunk driving, we’re talking about the things happening in our communities that deserve more attention.
Then it’s time for “The Ushers Want to Know.” 👀
You asked, and we answered.
Can a funeral happen without embalming?What’s the difference between a funeral and a memorial service?Also, perhaps the question everyone wants to know, how much does a funeral actually cost?
We’re getting honest about funeral planning, pre-arrangements, life insurance, and why planning ahead isn’t just about preparing for death, it’s about taking care of the people you love.
This is only the beginning of our next course.
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
Have a question or a topic you want us to discuss? Send it our way. You might hear your question answered on a future episode! Email us at therepastpodcast@gmail.com or simply submit your questions here

Laughter is healing—and in this unforgettable episode, the Cole family cracks open the vault of wild, weird, and downright hilarious stories from behind the scenes of the funeral home. From song selections to spooky tales, Undertaker Outtakes reveals what happens when life and death collide in the most unexpected ways.
Featuring Rev. Jake Gaines and Will Crawley, this one is full of surprises, chuckles, and “did-that-really-happen?” moments that showcase the human side of the deathcare profession.
Hosts/Guests: Brice Green, India Ramsey, Rev. Jake Gaines, Will Crawley
 
Follow Us:
Instagram: @repastpodcast @jameshcole
Website: www.jameshcole.com
 
Disclaimer
The Repast Podcast may include detailed discussions about death, the human body after death, and medical processes that may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners/viewers. Our goal is to educate and inform with respect and care. We encourage listener/viewer discretion, especially for younger audiences or those who may find these topics emotionally challenging.
 
#TheRepastPodcast #UndertakerOuttakes #FuneralFunnies #BlackLegacy #ColeFamilyDetroit #DeathcareIndustry #WorkingInFuneralHomes #FuneralDirectorsLife #BlackFamilyBusiness

Part 2 dives into the chaos of the COVID era and how it affected emotional support efforts and the impact of high-profile deaths. It’s a look at grief, leadership, and humanity in the funeral profession.
 
Hosts/Guests: Karla Cole Green, Brice Green, Antonio Green, Dr. Rose Moten
 
Contact: Dr. Rose Moten – www.drrosemoten.com
 
Follow Us:
Instagram: @repastpodcast @jameshcole
Website: www.jameshcole.com
 
Disclaimer
The Repast Podcast may include detailed discussions about death, the human body after death, and medical processes that may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners/viewers. Our goal is to educate and inform with respect and care. We encourage listener/viewer discretion, especially for younger audiences or those who may find these topics emotionally challenging.
 
#TheRepastPodcast, #GriefSupport, #BlackLegacy, #BlackFamilyBusiness, #COVIDImpact, #ColeFamilyDetroit, #DeathcareIndustry, #FuneralHomePodcast, #FuneralPlanning, #EmotionalLabor

Funeral directors carry more than caskets—they carry emotional weight. In Part 1 of Ashes & Empathy, the Cole family shares how they manage grief while supporting others, and the real-life coping strategies behind the scenes.
 
Hosts/Guests: Karla Cole Green, Brice Green, Antonio Green, Dr. Rose Moten
 
Contact: Dr. Rose Moten – www.drrosemoten.com
 
Follow Us:
Instagram: @repastpodcast @jameshcole
Website: www.jameshcole.com
 
Disclaimer
The Repast Podcast may include detailed discussions about death, the human body after death, and medical processes that may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners/viewers. Our goal is to educate and inform with respect and care. We encourage listener/viewer discretion, especially for younger audiences or those who may find these topics emotionally challenging.
 
#TheRepastPodcast, #GriefSupport, #BlackLegacy, #BlackFamilyBusiness, #COVIDImpact, #ColeFamilyDetroit, #DeathcareIndustry, #FuneralHomePodcast, #FuneralPlanning, #EmotionalLabor

From unexpected costs to long-term planning, this two-part episode explores the financial realities of funerals. In Part 1, the Cole family breaks down what really goes into the price tag—including surprise expenses, pre-planning strategies, and the myths around funeral costs. In Part 2, we go deeper into estate planning, wills, and how money matters shape a family’s legacy long after the service ends
 
Hosts/Guests: Brice Green, Antonio Green, Jehan Crump-Gibson, India Ramsey-Scott
 
Contact: Jehan Crump-Gibson – www.jehancrumpgibson.com, @fashionlawble1
 
Follow Us:
Instagram: @repastpodcast @jameshcole
Website: www.jameshcole.com
 
Disclaimer
The Repast Podcast may include detailed discussions about death, the human body after death, and medical processes that may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners/viewers. Our goal is to educate and inform with respect and care. We encourage listener/viewer discretion, especially for younger audiences or those who may find these topics emotionally challenging.
 
#TheRepastPodcast, #FuneralCosts, #EstatePlanning, #BlackLegacy, #BlackFamilyBusiness, #ColeFamilyDetroit, #DeathcareIndustry, #FuneralHomePodcast, #FuneralPlanning

From unexpected costs to long-term planning, this two-part episode explores the financial realities of funerals. In Part 1, the Cole family breaks down what really goes into the price tag—including surprise expenses, pre-planning strategies, and the myths around funeral costs. In Part 2, we go deeper into estate planning, wills, and how money matters shape a family’s legacy long after the service ends.
 
Hosts/Guests: Brice Green, Antonio Green, Jehan Crump-Gibson, India Ramsey-Scott
 
Follow Us:
Instagram: @repastpodcast @jameshcole
Website: www.jameshcole.com
 
Disclaimer
The Repast Podcast may include detailed discussions about death, the human body after death, and medical processes that may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners/viewers. Our goal is to educate and inform with respect and care. We encourage listener/viewer discretion, especially for younger audiences or those who may find these topics emotionally challenging.
 
#TheRepastPodcast, #FuneralCosts, #EstatePlanning, #BlackLegacy, #BlackFamilyBusiness, #ColeFamilyDetroit, #DeathcareIndustry, #FuneralHomePodcast, #FuneralPlanning