In this episode of Buried in Work, Adam Zuckerman speaks with Jess Wakefield, funeral director and Director of Partnerships at Better Place Forests, and Don Gilmartin, trauma cleanup entrepreneur and advocate. Together, they are pioneering the Dignity in Death and Privacy Protection Act of 2025—a proposed federal law that would make it illegal to publicly share graphic trauma scene photos or videos without next-of-kin consent.

They dive into why this legislation matters, what happens behind the scenes in trauma cleanup, and how the legal system currently fails grieving families. This is an emotional and necessary conversation for anyone who values dignity, privacy, and respect—even after death.

Key Takeaways:

• There’s no federal law preventing the public sharing of death scene photos.
• Grieving families are being re-traumatized by seeing their loved ones' death sites online.
• Trauma cleanup is an unregulated, under-acknowledged industry—and it’s time that changed.
• Photos taken for insurance purposes are being misused. Consent is not optional.
• The Dignity in Death Act seeks to create nationwide ethical standards and real legal consequences for violations.
• Every listener has a role to play—by spreading awareness, contacting legislators, or joining the advocacy.

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