Deadly Serious Conversations

Disasters happen……. tsunamis, terrorist attacks, bushfires, pandemics. No amount of wishing they didn’t happen makes them go away. But it’s comforting to know there are people preparing for these situations. People like Lucy Easthope. Lucy has played a vital role in the response to some of the world’s most significant disasters such as 9/11, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the 7/7 London bombings, the Manchester Arena attack and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic to name but a few....

Funeral directors play a pivotal role in guiding families through one of the most difficult times in their lives. But how do you choose the right one? What should you look for and what can you expect from them? Together with Lillian from The Last Time Funeral Directors in Sydney, we will unpack these questions and more, offering insights to help you make informed decisions and be aware of the choices available to you. Organising a funeral must be one of life’s toughest tasks and ...

Many people assume the Irish wake is just an excuse for a drinking session, but in reality, it’s so much more than that. The traditions surrounding death in Ireland run deep, woven into the fabric of the culture and community. The dead are honoured with great reverence, and the grieving are embraced, supported, and given the space to mourn in a way that is both personal and communal. The Irish wake is a time of remembrance and connection—a way of ensuring that no one faces loss a...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had a loved one die overseas? Or, perhaps it is their wish for their body to be transported back to their home country? Today I am chatting to Ghislaine from a family-run business based in Melbourne called Repatriation Solutions to discuss the implications of moving someone’s body to another country after they die. Repatriation Solutions

Welcome to another episode of Deadly Serious Conversations, where today we are joined by Dr. Susan Palmer from Gather My Crew, an incredible organisation dedicated to helping people rally around loved ones during times of crisis. When someone’s world is turned upside down – whether that’s through illness, the loss of a family member, or any other life-changing event – it can be hard for people to know exactly how to offer help. That's where Gather My Crew steps in, making it easier for ...

Today, I have a special episode featuring Dan from 'All about me films'- a Melbourne-based company dedicated to preserving life stories on Film for future generations. We delve into the importance of storytelling for family history and how it gives us a sense of belonging that can shape who we are today. This episode reminds us that we continue to exist long after we are no longer physically here, living on through the stories and memories we leave behind. So whether you're looking to pre...

Most people are familiar with the traditional burial and cremation practices, such as using a cemetery, or storing the ashes in an urn. Some people choose to scatter their loved ones ashes but do not realise that this may be harmful to the environment. Mornington Green Legacy Gardens in Victoria are beautiful botanical gardens situated on the Mornington Peninsula. They offer an environmentally safe way for people to go back to nature after they die. The cremated as...

This episode of the podcast is one that challenges the conventional narratives surrounding end-of-life ceremonies and funerals. In it, I have a wonderful chat with Tim and Paul, whose mum Mary Anne decided to face her own mortality and embraced the idea of a living wake after deciding not to continue treatment for Bowel cancer. Often at funerals, people remark to me that it is a shame that the person who died didn’t hear all the lovely things that others had to say abou...

As the cost for a traditional burial rises each year and as people have become more environmentally conscious about our land shortage, Cremation has become the preferred choice for many Australians, With over 70% of funerals now involving a cremation. There is no textbook to tell you what to do in these circumstances, and suddenly you find yourself in a situation having to decide whether to cremate or bury your loved one. Subsequently, you then have to make a decisi...

20 percent of women or 1 in 5 may experience a pregnancy loss in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. That is 1 early pregnancy loss every 5 mins in Australia. Behind these statistics are real people. So many people walk this lonely road, yet often we never know. It’s such a silent and isolating grief, not being able to talk with anyone about it. And having to act like it never happened... The chances are someone you know and love will have experienced an early ...

Funerals have changed dramatically in the last decade. Not that long ago, they followed a very standard procedure. Often mourners wore black, Most funerals were burials Religion played a big part and there were very few personal touches. In this episode of the podcast, I have a wonderful chat with Stan Commings who is almost 94 years young! Stan dedicated his working life to working in the funeral industry. People like Stan paved the...

In this episode of the podcast I talk to the Lovely Dr Annetta Mallon from Gentle Death Education and Planning about Advance Care Plans. During our conversation we discuss why Advance Care Plans are so important and how they allow you to think about and document your wishes should you be unable to make those decisions yourself. Advance care plans are not only for the elderly or the unwell. They are important things to think about at any age. All of us are different and we nee...