Episode 15 - Cemetery Task Force - Natural Disasters, Restoration & Body Recovery
Jennie and Dianne are joined by Ryan Seidemann and Christine Halling of the Louisiana Cemetery Task Force to discuss what happens to cemeteries and their permanent residents when natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes strike. They share their experience and expertise on planning strategies once they know a storm is about to hit and how they handle recovery and restoration in the aftermath.
Ryan M. Seidemann
Lawyer, Archeologist, Anthropologist, Professor
Ryan M. Seidemann earned a B.A. in anthropology from Florida State University, an M.A. in anthropology from Louisiana State University and was a contract archaeologist for several years before earning J.D. and B.C.L. degrees in law from Louisiana State University. He is now the Chief of the Lands & Natural Resources Section of the Louisiana Department of Justice and his clients include the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board, and the Louisiana Cemetery Board. Mr. Seidemann is also an adjunct professor of law at the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. Mr. Seidemann's research includes examinations of water and wetlands law, cemetery and archaeological site protection law, and human remains analysis. He has authored more than 50 publications in the fields of law, anthropology, and cemetery studies.
Christine Halling
Archaeologist
Christine L. Halling holds a B.S. (Minnesota State University, Mankato) in Anthropology and a
M.S. (University of Indianapolis) in Human Biology. She is currently employed as the
Anthropologist of the Lands & Natural Resources Section, Civil Division, Louisiana Department
of Justice. She is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and has trained in Forensic
Anthropology, Bioarchaeology, and Human Biology. Prior to her current employment, she
taught Anatomy & Physiology coursework and was the Lab Director for the Kampsville Human
Osteology and Bioarchaeology Field School.
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