For more than a century, James H. Cole Home for Funerals has been a pillar in Detroit, guiding families through some of life’s most difficult moments with compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering sense of dignity. Now, the 106-year-old family-owned business is stepping into an entirely new space — the digital airwaves — with a project designed to open doors, answer questions, and change how people think about life’s final chapter.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, “The Repast Podcast” will make its debut across major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. The series offers listeners an unfiltered, informative, and deeply human look at the funeral industry, a subject many shy away from discussing until they are forced to. It will be hosted by Antonio and Brice Green, fourth-generation funeral home directors who, alongside their mother, Karla Cole-Green, carry forward the legacy of one of Michigan’s most historic Black-owned businesses.
The James H. Cole Home for Funerals has stood since 1919, surviving through the Great Depression, segregation, the Civil Rights era, and Detroit’s decades of economic shifts. In each generation, the family has adapted to meet the needs of its community. This podcast is the latest evolution — a way to reach people before loss happens, with resources, guidance, and transparency.
Antonio Green says the podcast was born from a simple but powerful truth: most people don’t know how the funeral process works until they’re grieving. “The Repast Podcast gives people a closer look at what happens behind the scenes, while also helping us understand the traditions, facts, and emotions around death in a more approachable way,” he explained. “It’s informative, honest, and deeply human.”
The format blends behind-the-scenes insights from funeral professionals with the lived experience of families and guests who have walked through loss. Episodes will also feature expert interviews — from psychology and law to faith and forensic science — that shed light on the many layers of end-of-life planning. Guests for the first season include psychologist Dr. Rose Moten, estate planning attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson, and spiritual leader Pastor Jake Gaines.
The topics are not limited to the ceremonial aspects of funerals. In the first slate of episodes, listeners will hear discussions on:
- The science of the body and forensics in funeral preparation
- Financial planning before death
- Common funeral myths and the truths behind them
This range of subjects reflects the team’s belief that preparing for death is about more than making burial arrangements. It’s about understanding the cultural traditions, legal requirements, and emotional needs that surround loss — and doing so in a way that equips people to make informed decisions.
Funeral homes, particularly in Black communities, have long been more than service providers. They have been safe spaces, gathering points, and cultural anchors. For decades, James H. Cole Home for Funerals has held that role in Detroit. By launching “The Repast Podcast,” the Green family is creating a bridge between that legacy and the realities of how people connect with information today.
The choice of the name “The Repast” is deliberate. In Black funeral traditions, the repast is the gathering that follows the service, often filled with food, conversation, and shared memories. It’s where people tell stories, laugh, cry, and find comfort. The podcast seeks to recreate that atmosphere — candid, familiar, and healing — in digital form.
Brice Green says the intent is to make the subject matter accessible, even to those who might avoid talking about death altogether. “We want to have conversations that people can take something from whether they’re planning ahead or they’ve just experienced loss. There’s a lot people don’t realize — from the science of what happens to the body, to how to protect your family financially, to understanding the difference between traditions and requirements.”
For a city like Detroit, where the funeral home is an institution as familiar as the church, this type of public education could shift how generations approach the inevitable. Many of the myths around funerals — including what services cost, what the law requires, and how families can personalize ceremonies — persist because the information is scattered or shrouded in discomfort. “The Repast Podcast” aims to centralize those conversations.
The production style is intentionally warm and personal. Listeners will hear real stories from families, insight from professionals who have dedicated their lives to this work, and discussions that honor the cultural and spiritual diversity of Detroit. The Greens hope that by demystifying their field, they can also lessen the anxiety that often comes with end-of-life planning.
This is not the first time James H. Cole Home for Funerals has innovated while honoring its roots. Since its founding by James H. Cole Sr. in 1919, the business has expanded to two flagship locations in Detroit, survived the shifting economic tides of the city, and stayed entirely family-owned. In an era when many funeral homes have been acquired by national corporations, the Green family’s decision to remain independent has allowed them to keep their service personal and community-centered.
Launching a podcast might seem worlds away from the solemn halls of a funeral chapel, but for the Greens, it’s simply another form of service. “We’re here for families before, during, and after loss,” Antonio Green said. “This is just another way to be present and give people tools they can use.”
The debut episode will introduce listeners to the family, the history of the funeral home, and why the podcast exists. Future episodes will take listeners into the embalming room, into legal consultations on wills and trusts, and into conversations about grief that go beyond platitudes.
The podcast is also designed to be a resource for younger generations who may not yet have faced the loss of a close loved one. By addressing topics like financial planning before death and debunking myths, “The Repast Podcast” hopes to equip people with the knowledge to make informed, thoughtful decisions when the time comes.
Listeners can follow the show on Instagram at @repastpodcast for behind-the-scenes content, guest previews, and updates on upcoming episodes.
In a city that has always marked life’s milestones in community — from christenings to weddings to homegoings — James H. Cole Home for Funerals is adding a new way for Detroiters to connect around one of the most universal human experiences. For the Greens, it’s an extension of a promise made more than a century ago: to serve with integrity, educate with honesty, and stand with Detroit families in moments that matter most.
