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Episode Notes
“This is the worst day of someone’s life. And we have the chance to give them a sliver of hope.”
From attending strangers’ funerals at age 5 to holding a human brain in his hands—Calvin Amato’s journey is unlike anything you’ve heard. As a Funeral Director-in-Training at Koch Funeral Home and a Brain Recovery Specialist, Calvin is helping families face death with compassion, dignity, and purpose.
This episode will move you, challenge you, and open your eyes to the emotional, scientific, and human side of death care. You'll hear:
Why Calvin left a successful consulting career to follow a calling in funeral service
How his unique role bridges grief support, brain donation, and death care
What we can all learn about showing up—before and after death
Key Takeaway
Death doesn’t have to be taboo—and legacy isn’t built after we’re gone. Through compassion, science, and presence, we have the power to transform grief into meaning and connection. Calvin’s story reminds us that end-of-life planning isn’t just paperwork—it’s an act of love.
Show Links
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Website// https://www.kochfuneralhome.com
- Email// admin@kochfuneralhome.com
- Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/kochfuneralhome/
- Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/kochFH
About Calvin Amato
Driven by compassion and a desire to revolutionize the funeral industry, Calvin M. Amato, CCO, CPC is a dedicated funeral director-in-training at Koch Funeral Home. His passion for comprehensive end-of-life care is evident through his certifications as a death doula, crematory operator, preplanning consultant, and funeral celebrant.
Building upon his neuroscience coursework at Arizona State University, he's currently pursuing mortuary education at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he is also a member of their Independent Advisory Committee. Formerly, he underwent specialized training in brain and spinal extractions for medical research at Mount Nittany Medical Center before partnering with Boston University's CTE Center as a brain recovery specialist.
Actively engaged in his community, Calvin serves on multiple boards in leadership roles, such as Vice Chair of the State College Choral Society's Board of Directors and Board of Directors for The Tides Grief Program, Advisory Board for Centre County YMCA, and Standards Board at Menutrinfo. These roles reflect his commitment to community service and his belief in the power of collaborative efforts to effect positive change.
As an advocate for death education and awareness, Calvin also frequently speaks at local events and workshops, sharing his insights on the importance of open conversations about mortality. He's passionate about demystifying the funeral process and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about end-of-life planning.
Calvin’s ideas have been featured in several respected funeral service publications, including The Director, Memento Mori, American Funeral Director, and Mortician's Blog. Through these platforms, he continues to share his vision for the future of funeral services, inspiring colleagues and challenging industry norms.
He seeks to foster meaningful connections with fellow funeral directors and those interested in death awareness, while championing new approaches to redefine funeral success in the 21st century.
