This may be an unpopular opinion but I don't like using the word eulogy. It gives the impression of a formal tone, which can lead people to focus on listing accomplishments or events, like they’re reciting a CV. Instead, a more personal and heartfelt approach to storytelling captures the essence of a person's life, sharing their quirks, relationships, and memorable moments. It’s about conveying who they truly were, not just what they did

When working with Fiona the Funeral Celebrant, you can expect compassion, support, and an individualised approach to honoring your loved one. Fiona brings a decade of experience as a funeral celebrant, offering a deep understanding of grief and the importance of creating meaningful ceremonies. She helps families take the lead in family-led funerals, giving them agency and structure while handling logistics behind the scenes, allowing them to be fully present.

 Today on Deadly Serious conversations I have a wonderful chat with Danielle from Sage Executor Solutions about the role of an executor of a will and some of the things that  are important to know to make the process easier, less stressful and more efficient.

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 preserve your own story or would like to encourage your loved ones to document their story,  this episode will inspire you to see the value in capturing part of your family's history.

Have you ever wondered what happens if someone dies overseas? Their body may be ‘repatriated’. Repatriation refers to the process of returning someone’s body after they have died to their home country for burial or cremation.

They may be repatriated if they have died suddenly overseas or perhaps someone may wish their body to be laid to rest in their homeland, close to family and ancestral roots.

Planning a funeral can be a daunting task, especially amidst the emotional challenges of losing a loved one. Having a checklist can help streamline the process and ensure that nothing important is overlooked during this sensitive time.

Toxic positivity around death refers to the imposition of excessively positive attitudes or sentiments that can invalidate or minimize the complex and often painful emotions that people experience when dealing with death and grief. It involves an overemphasis on maintaining a cheerful or optimistic outlook, which can suppress genuine emotional expression and create additional emotional burdens for those grieving

Pets are a much loved member of a family. For some children, their pet may be their best friend and when they die, it can be a devastating experience for the whole family. It may be some children’s first experience of death.

With gentleness, kindness and honesty we can help children grieve, process their loss and go through the emotions of this experience.

I am often asked how to support children who are grieving I am no expert but I am delighted to share this episode of the podcast, where I have a chat to Scott Andrews from the National Centre for Childhood grief.

Knowing how to support a child deal with loss and grief can feel overwhelming. It's hard to know what is the right thing to do to help them. Scott offers gentle suggestions on language to use, whether they should be involved in the process and how grief may show up for children.

Scott is incredibly experienced in this area and shares his wonderful insights on how to help children grieve in healthy ways.

This is an invaluable episode for everyone to learn what we can do to support children and help them feel less alone and isolated in their grief.

When faced with the passing of a loved one whose death is expected, the decision of whether to call an ambulance can be fraught with uncertainty. It's a moment filled with emotional distress and the desire to do what's best for the person who is nearing the end of life. Here are some factors to consider when grappling with this difficult decision.

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 ashes are scientifically treated to avoid causing any harm and are infused into a carefully chosen tree in their beautifully landscaped gardens or forests.

The Legacy Gardens also offer future generations and loved ones a place to come and visit to watch as the tree grows and blossom. It also provides a beautiful space in nature for families to gather, celebrate, and connect

In this episode I chat with Luke Roberts, the co-founder of Mornington Green Legacy Gardens to hear more about this innovative practice

Living wakes and funerals bring a fresh perspective to the often somber affair of saying goodbye. Instead of waiting until after someone has passed away, these events provide an opportunity for individuals to experience the love, appreciation, and gratitude of friends and family while they are still alive. It's a celebration of life that allows the honoree to witness the impact they've had on others and participate in the collective expression of love and nostalgia.

Every year on R U OK? day, our social media is flooded with posts asking R U OK? But we shouldn’t have to wait for a nominated day to ask that question.

It is important to be proactive in reaching out to others. Don't wait for a marked day in the calendar or for them to come to you; take the initiative to check in regularly. A simple text, call, or even a heartfelt conversation over a cup of tea can go a long way in showing someone that you care about their well-being.

While flowers may provide immediate comfort, there are myriad alternative ways to support someone navigating the challenging journey of loss. Consider these alternatives to flowers

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 about them.   

But Mary Anne got the opportunity before her death, to be with her family and friends and to hear the many reasons they loved her at her living wake.  

Her loved ones shared and stories and memories and were able to express their gratitude to Mary Anne so she was able to hear how people felt about her before she died.  

Tim and Paul offer their different perspectives on this celebration of their mums’ life.  

Living wakes or funerals are certainly not for everybody, but the landscape of funerals is changing as we explore alternatives to the solemn occasions that funerals traditionally have been.   Whether you are curious about the concept, planning such an occasion for yourself or a loved one, or seeking a fresh perspective on one of life’s inevitabilities, this episode has it all.  

We hear it all the time that life changes in a second, and nothing can prepare us for it when that does happen. We all think and hope it will never happen to us.

Jacinda has been living with the loss of her son Harper and his dad Matt, when they were both killed in a freak accident.

Losing 2 people you love at the same time seems unimaginable.

In today’s episode, Jacinda shares with us a glimpse into what life after the loss of a child looks like 4 years on, the unique pain of losing two people you love at the same time, her experience of living with such a loss and learning to find hope when all hope has been lost.

While flowers may provide immediate comfort, there are myriad alternative ways to support someone navigating the challenging journey of loss. Consider these alternatives to flowers