DEATH-POSITIVE EDUCATION
It’s no surprise most people avoid the topic of death.
The “D” word is taboo in western culture. Why?
It’s because most of us don’t want to deal with the underlying meanings and associations we have attached to one of the biggest experiences we will have in our lives. Many of us shun away at thinking who will be left in our final moments, or who/what we will have to leave behind. Some of us don’t want to think about potentially being unable to take care of ourselves, or having to take care of others in their final moments.
We live in a society where anti-aging and youth are celebrated, as if buying into a market that makes us ‘look good’ will actually delay the process of getting older or keep us from the fate that inevitably rests ahead.
But the truth is, death is not going away just because we ignore it. The longer death and dying are kept in the dark, the more likely we are to be dis-empowered in our lives.
What I am further pointing to is that the limited (but growing) availability of death education in the western world and the avoidance of death - particularly in the form of owning death as a process ‘that will certainly happen to me’ or ‘I will die’ - keep most people from experiencing their lives fully and consciously. My experience has shown me that most people are unaware that their fear of death, dying, the unknown, or uncertainty hugely affects the quality of life they have while living.
The reality is that death, although uncertain, will certainly happen to each and every one of us, making it a universal living Truth and rite of passage for all human beings and life forms. Think about it: how many other experiences in life can you recall that collectively unite us more than this cycle of birth, life, and death?
When you learn to embrace death as a natural part of the cycle of life, regardless of what spiritual traditions or religious beliefs you hold true, there is an immediate re-connection to the beauty of life that results in true freedom, connection, self-empowerment, and gratitude simply for BEING ALIVE.
Death is part of the cycle of life.
Death is part of the cycle of life.
Workshops
Here you’ll find some of the most popular workshops I’ve facilitated. If you’re interested in a collaboration, or would like me to design a special interest workshop, series, or program for your community, please follow the link below to complete a Workshop Enquiry form.
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A gentle, conversational workshop about how to speak more openly about death with the people in your life.
We explore language that encourages connection, ways to approach difficult topics without overwhelming others, and how to build confidence when talking about your wishes, fears or hopes.
This workshop is ideal for families, communities and anyone who wants to feel more at ease discussing the universal experiences of death and dying.
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Advance Care Planning is one of the most thoughtful and loving acts we can offer ourselves and those who may care for us in the future.
In this workshop, I guide participants through an accessible and supportive process of understanding their values, preferences and concerns around care at the end of life.
We explore how to choose a trusted decision maker, how to record your wishes and how to have meaningful conversations with loved ones.
This offering helps people make grounded choices with clarity rather than urgency or fear.Depending on your needs, this can be offered as an informational session or as a guided workshop where participants complete their Advance Care Plan with support.
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This is a community screening of A Story of Endings (directed by filmmaker Lucy Pijnenburg), followed by a warm and open group conversation.
As someone who appears in the film, I share insight into the creation of the documentary and the themes it explores, including grief, mortality and the importance of speaking honestly about endings.
This event is suitable for councils, libraries, community groups, festivals and organisations that want to encourage deeper conversations about living and dying well.
View an excerpt of the film here.
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A Death Café is a welcoming gathering where people meet to talk about death in an open and relaxed way.
There is no set agenda and no expectation to take part in any particular way. Instead, it is a chance to speak honestly, listen to others, and make room for the thoughts and feelings we often keep hidden.
People bring a wide range of stories, fears, curiosities and cultural perspectives. By creating space for real conversation, we gently reduce the discomfort that often surrounds death and make room for a more enlivened relationship with life.
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A Grief Circle is a supportive space for people who are living with loss in any form.
Participants are invited to share what feels true for them, listen to others and experience the relief of being witnessed without judgment or pressure.
These circles help soften the isolation that grief can create and offer a sense of community, steadiness and gentle companionship.
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Navigating Uncertainty & Loss is a workshop originally created as a response to COVID-19 with the intention to support people dealing with collective change and uncertainty.
The workshop opens people to an enlivening conversation that provides practical tools to cope with uncertainty, deal with challenging emotions and access joy.
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A contemplative practice circle including breathwork, stillness, and meditation on impermanence.
This session blends teaching, guided reflection, and gentle embodied practices to cultivate presence, spaciousness, and compassionate awareness of life’s inevitabilities and mysteries.
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In addition to the core offerings above, I also create and facilitate workshops on topics such as:
Green Funerals & Funeral Planning
The Art if Gratitude
Self-Care for Carers
Other tailored themes upon request
Feedback from a recent Death Café…
“Last night we held the Death Café in our meeting room. It was a successful event and we had a great response from the participants. Quite a few people arrived saying they felt quite nervous. However, stories were swapped, plenty of laughs were had (and even some hugging), and people left asking when the next session was going to be held.”
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“We had people from various backgrounds and perspectives. An18 year old boy with his mother, an 85 year old man who said he wasn’t ready to die yet and when asked said he loved sugar too much, paramedics, and aged care workers all happy to open up, tell their stories, and share their thoughts and feelings. One lady came in with very closed body language and stated firmly that she was going to listen but not talk. About halfway through the session, her group facilitator gently prodded her with some questions. She tearily shared her story and by the end of the session, her body language had completely changed. She walked lighter and looked happier. We even had someone travel all the way from the Mornington Peninsula to attend as they couldn’t find any Death Cafés in their area.
I would highly suggest we do another Death Café in future. As death is often a taboo subject, people are looking for opportunities to discuss it with like-minded people.”
“The confrontation with death is an unrivaled perspective enhancer.”
— BILL PLOTKIN