In Episode 12 of Deadly Serious Conversations, I have a chat with the lovely Jo Betz. Jo courageously talks to us about learning to live with grief, following the sudden and unexpected death of her husband Craig.

She also shares some insight on how her grief has evolved over time and how she has come to accept that grief will always be a part of her life.

Through her experience, Jo has written a beautiful book called “Grief – a guided journal” to help others express their feelings, following the death of a loved one.

In this episode of the Deadly Serious Conversations podcast, Fiona chats to to Lisa Oshlack from Moving on. 

One of the many services that moving on provides is helping families take care of the daunting task of organising personal belongings after someone has died, 

Lisa offers some great suggestions on how to alleviate the emotional challenge of this task.  

The word “suicide” is a sensitive word and it really conjures up different ideas in everyone’s mind.

This is a tough subject but one that is very important to talk about. Speaking more openly about suicide is something that we need to get better at.

In this episode of the podcast, Fiona chats to Victoria English from Telopea Flowers about the use of flowers in funerals. Victoria shares her expertise on how we can really personalise the ceremony space in a beautiful way using flowers.

How we deal with death and grief is so wide and varied across different cultures across the world. For many cultures, rituals are a very important part of the grieving process.

For those who own a much loved family pet, you will understand that losing an animal is like losing a much loved family member.  And this can trigger all sorts of painful emotions. 

Fiona chats to Katrina Schlager, a psychologist, to talk about some of the normal responses in those early days after losing a loved on.

Fiona chats to Jacqui Brauman, a principal solicitor and director specialising in the area of Wills and Estates.

Fiona chats to Phoebe DeKlerk, a funeral singer, who loves to use music to celebrate and honour the life of someone who has passed away. 

Fiona chats to Kaylene Ledger who shares some valuable advice for writing and delivering a Eulogy for a loved one.

Fiona chats about what is a funeral celebrant and some important considerations when choosing a celebrant for your loved ones funeral.

Fiona chats to Margo Collins, a Pastoral Care Practitioner, who shares her experience of supporting and guiding those who are receiving palliative care, their families and loved ones. 

Fiona chats to Jo Lincoln, a death doula, who offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to those facing the death of a loved one at home.

In this introduction, host Fiona Garrivan, shares a little bit about the podcast and what it’s about.

The reasons you may like to consider having a photographer at a loved ones funeral.

Coronavirus has certainly turned our world upside down in more ways we could ever have imagined.

A recent funeral reminded me that we really need to make an effort to be in more photos. Do it for your children and how you want them to remember you.

Families are now rejecting tradition and a "set format and insert-a-name" funeral service.