Managing misconceptions. The main myth about a children’s hospice is that it’s just for the end stage of life. Which leads to the next main myth. That is, that supporting children living with a life limiting illness is intensely dark and sad. “People often say to me, about my work: … Read more
Sutherland Death Cafe still has spaces for its December 2, 2023 meeting. At a death cafe you join others to have a cup of tea and a conversation about death. People who want to find out more about death and how to manage it often feel a Death Cafe is … Read more
It’s no surprise that there’s death during the holidays. People die all year round but when they die during the holidays what happens can be a surprise if you’re not prepared. Margaret Rice’s father died in Australia three days before Christmas and right before several public holidays. And Margaret reports … Read more
Wills and enduring power of attorney are needed everywhere and we’ve had a query about them from a pensioner in Western Australia. “Just looking for some advice on wills and enduring power of attorney. I am a pensioner and I live in WA,” she says. “Can you suggest anyone that … Read more
Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) still causes death in Indigenous Australians, who also have a higher risk of general heart disease death. And currently only one in five people who need treatment for the Rheumatic Heart Disease that results from ARF can get this, according to a Flinders University study. Between … Read more
Dreams can be challenging for the grieving. There are plenty of theories about why we dream and one common explanation is that they help us process emotions. They can be particularly poignant when they involve someone we love who has died. In another of her reflections on her own grief, … Read more
The term, “The Great Unsettlement”, is not mine. I read it in a novel (I wish I could remember what it was!) that was written during the time this amazing planet of ours, and all of us on it, were turned upside down with the arrival of Coronavirus or Covid … Read more
‘A beautiful death’ is an expression few of us feel we have permission to use. Yet writer Richard Flanagan has done just that. Can we say this too? Richard is a Tasmanian author who’s won the Booker Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for fiction writing. His snippet about … Read more
A patient’s perspective about how her “world turned upside down”, is shared in this End-of-Life Essentials video. Here is the link to her story, told in her own words. She shares her thoughts and fears, when first diagnosed with cancer and reflects on how that had an impact on her. … Read more
In this occasional series, Australian cooking and media personality Lyndey Milan, shares her ‘Comfort Food for Grief – Pulled Pork’. It’s one of her wholesome ideas for special foods to comfort you or those you love, during difficult emotional times. “When you want to offer comfort to family or friends … Read more
Sutherland Shire’s death cafes are back and attendees said there were lots of interesting conversations and ideas, at the first one, held last night. The popular death cafes are back, thanks to a grant from Sutherland Shire to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, partnering with St George and Sutherland … Read more
Do you have burning questions about death or end of life care? Unsure about the choices you have for the care of your deceased body? Join us for a Q&A session like no other! Margaret Rice is an experienced journalist, author, feature writer, keynote speaker and editor. She has written … Read more
Good Grief”s journey to improve death has the purpose of improving life. And the meandering recently brought me to the Japanese concept of Ikigai. That was when my friend Danielle from my local coffee shop handed me the little book Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy … Read more
Gay McKinley now definitely believe that there are stages of grief and she describes ‘the tsunami of grief’ stage as one of them. She has written about her deep insights into grief in her two previous articles, shared to our newsletter readers and then here on the Good Grief! website. … Read more
In Australia, your advance care directive wishes about organ donation won’t be followed if you haven’t taken one crucial extra step. You need to register your donation at donatelife.gov.au, even though you’ve clearly stated in your advance care directive that you want to donate your organs. DonateLife explains. It seems … Read more
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