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Episode Notes
Did you know your dental fillings or titanium hip could be pulled from the ashes and turned into something that changes lives and saves the planet?
In this powerful episode, Adam sits down with Kevin McKay, Director at Cremation Recycling, to uncover the truth about what really happens to metal after cremation.
This is not the conversation you expect around death and cremation. Kevin shares how his journey from bartending to metal recycling led him into one of the most misunderstood corners of end-of-life care. Together, they dive into the ethics, value, and environmental impact of post-cremation metals—and why this work is about so much more than profit.
Whether it’s gold crowns, hip implants, or pacemakers being sent overseas to save lives, you’ll walk away with a whole new understanding of how something left behind can still have value and purpose.
Key Takeaways
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The surprising reason why dental metals and surgical implants survive cremation
- How one crematory could generate up to $20,000 a year from recycled metals
- What Kevin’s team does to ensure full transparency for every cremation load
- Why geography and demographics affect the value of metals recovered
- What most funeral directors don’t realize they can do with pacemakers
- How cremation recycling helps reduce landfill waste and carbon impact
- Why Kevin believes in charging more to deliver real results and trust
Show Links
- Email Kevin at kmckay@cremationrecycling.com
- Visit Cremation Cycling at https://cremationrecycling.com/
About Kevin
Kevin McKay is the Director of Cremation Recycling, where he leads business development, customer support, and professional education for the cremation sector. With nearly 25 years of experience in the metal recycling industry and a deep passion for transparency and sustainability, Kevin helps crematory owners across North America make informed, ethical decisions about post-cremation metal handling.
Whether he’s explaining the science behind smelting or helping funeral homes turn recycled metals into community impact, Kevin is known for making a complex, often misunderstood process feel clear, purposeful, and deeply human.
