What’s the soundtrack to your final farewell?
Every week on 94.1 FM WFNU, Your Funeral Music asks fascinating guests to curate their ideal send-off playlist.
Join host Michael Venske as he explores life, legacy, and the music that makes us who we are, with heartwarming stories brought to you by Humans Love Stories.
This podcast is a unique blend of thought-provoking and touching, helping you celebrate the lives of others while reflecting on your own.
Join other music fans & share your funeral jams.
Your Funeral Music’s Mission Objective
Capture the voice, legacy, story, music, and wishes of each Guest; and,
Provide Guest’s family keepsake audio full of memories, comfort, wisdom, and direction; and,
Inspire listeners to contemplate their mortality and start a conversation with loved ones about their final wishes.
QUESTION
What’s Your Funeral Music without the music?
ANSWER
Extended Episodes on Apple & Spotify & YouTube Podcasts
“The experience of recording this brought so much healing.”
- Mark Haugen, Episode 207
Meet the Host
Michael Venske • Host/Producer/Creator
Your Funeral Music is created, produced, and hosted by Michael Venske.
Michael’s background is as a creator/performer. He’s a professional Insight Certified Celebrant, member of Minnesota Death Collaborative, a Threshold Choir singer, and happens to be an alum of America’s oldest satirical comedy theatre, Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop.
In his free time, Michael enjoys pondering deep questions while splitting and stacking firewood.
backstory
Inspired by his own grief journey, Michael Venske decided death deserved more than hushed tones and awkward silences.
Everything started with Episode 101, featuring a world-renowned DJ discussing death alongside his favorite tunes. We talked about death. No one died.
As Epicurus said, "Why should I fear death?" It's a natural part of life like birth. We can't escape it, so why not talk about it openly and honestly?
Your Funeral Music isn't rejoicing in death. The program acknowledges death and a time when death wasn't a scary secret, but a familiar part of life.
By talking about death we can face it with less fear and more understanding of the important things in life. Guests wanted.
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“It was a really interesting process and even though I’m sort of uneasy with being recorded and everything, it’s pretty fun!”
-Jill M, Episode 105
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“This was great. Fantastic music, great questions. Really got me thinking how I want my end of life party to be.”
— Katey D, Episode 106
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“This is so unique and it really sparked my energy to think about this stuff. I do really feel like it should be in people’s wills.”
— Erica Scanlon, Episode 110
Read Episode Show Notes
The Mobile Studio
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A broadcast-quality dynamic microphones with a rich, balanced sound optimized for podcasting.
Features an internal pop filter to minimize plosives.
An internal shock mounting to reduce vibration.
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Omnidirectional pickup pattern captures clear audio from all direction while reducing unwanted noise.
Supports 48V phantom power. No batteries necessary.
Two lav mics, mic clips and detachable windscreen included - ready to capture pristine, balanced audio for any project.
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Isolated omnidirectional microphone capsule with internal pop filter to reduce handling noise to create crisp and clear sound.
Specialized for voice reproduction to maximize clarity, reduce plosives, wind noise, and limit low-frequency noise.
Perfect microphone for on-the-street interviews.
Does not require external phantom power.
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Shotgun mic with cardioids pick-up pattern isolating the main sound source and minimizes the background noise, highlighting the performance with smooth frequency response range for best vocal.
Short, lightweight and compact, it’s an unobtrusive length of 11 inches ensures that the microphone remains out of the frame when mounted on camera.
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Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound.
Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises.
9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included.
Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case.
These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed ear design.
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Built to surpass industry standards, DR's support gear is strong, lightweight, and uses a durable powder-coated finish paint, tougher tubing and precision mechanical parts.
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4 high quality microphone inputs with phantom power.
4 headphone outputs with individual volume control.
4 programable Sound Pads + multi-track recording for all inputs and Sound Pads.
Automatic Mix-Minus for call-in phone interviews + remote interviews via TRRS jack and USB Audio Interface mode.
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32-bit float recording and dual AD converters for full dynamic range and clip-free audio capture with no need to set gain
2 locking-XLR inputs / 2-track field audio recorder
Compact yet rugged metal casing, mounting bars and tripod mount
High quality mic preamps with a super-low noise floor (−127 dBu EIN)
Record up to 192 kHz sampling/32-bit float WAV format, mono or stereo files to SD cards up to 512GB
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Durable, water resistant Backline Transport Backpack is the ultimate solution for players on the move.
Modular cable filing system with 7 storage slots. Stay organized and ready.
Over 8 small and large accessory compartments, including back sleeves for notebooks, laptops, or tablets.
Store slots for 3 standard microphones and 1 flat sleeve for wireless mics. Side mounted mic stand storage.
For over 20 years, D’Addario Accessories (formerly Planet Waves) has been leading the industry in innovative and problem-solving products that serve musicians worldwide.
Mission Support
Mission Support
Make a difference with an in-kind financial donation to support the mission of Your Funeral Music.
How Your Donation Helps
$10 - Ream of paper (scripts) & pens or 6 months of 100GB Google storage
$15 - 1 month of Mixcloud on-demand episode hosting or 2 PodMic Pop Filter Foam Covers
$25 - 12 months of 100GB Google storage or 1 SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC Memory Card
$50 - A tank a gas to travel to guest homes or 2 High Yield Black Ink Cartridges
$100 - 1x Rode PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Broadcast Microphone or a year of webhosting
Join other music fans & share your funeral jams.
