We live in strange times. So the latest issue of my newsletter [sign up here!] is dedicated to COVID-19 and related mortality. It may seem morbid, but before you shut your device, think of this. It is extremely reassuring to look at this international crisis through the lens of mortality. … Read more
As we all come to terms with these difficult Covid-19 times, and the restriction on funerals to only 10 people, Good Grief! will provide information to help navigate what this restriction means.
Sydney reader Sue Reid has written a testimonial of A Good Death, available through Murdoch Books. This book has been of great use to my family as we reorganised mum (aged 90 years) and dad’s (aged 91 years) affairs over the past year. Their will was over 10 years old … Read more
I like strange as a word. It is non-judgmental, it says this is different, unfamiliar, something new to be navigated. However, we need to put a few things on the table: actively putting strategies in place to retain the rights and manage the needs of the dying, the suffering and … Read more
I was just about to walk out the door to have dinner with my sister and cousin. It’s that kind of moment isn’t it, a moment when social distancing and all it implies means that family are the best people to be with. They’ll forgive you if you suddenly sneeze … Read more
As we settle in to the new normal, Good Grief! is here to support. Good Grief! will ponder these strange Covid-19 times with you, talking about those topics which are relevant to our mission. You will find the facts we present reassuring. The discussion will look unblinkingly at mortality and … Read more
In the line of work Gus Worland does, he sees a lot of men suffering because they’re not allowed to express their grief and other sad emotions. It’s something he’s challenging. Gus’s work is about helping men to cope better with grief and other negative emotions. Gus believes we need … Read more
The last thing that will happen to us is that we will die. And for the very elderly it is likely to happen very soon. Yet there’s a cone of silence on the subject. While some aged care facilities are now doing ‘guards of honour’ to acknowledge the deaths of … Read more
Gotcha4Life is a great network for men to help each other cope when grief strikes – and to help build resilience before it does. It’s also a heck of a lot of FUN. To see all the community events that you can be part of this year go to the … Read more
The Coronavirus is now called Covid-19 but it is the generic name coronavirus by which the world now knows this new disease. It was declared a pandemic by the Australian Government on February 27, 2020. The label pandemic, denotes not severity but ease of spread, with 60 countries now reporting … Read more
In the Radio ABC Sydney studio this morning to chat with the lovely Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck. We shared insights about a good death ahead of the three events being organised by Bayside Council and facilitated by Home Instead. To listen to the interview, go to the following link … Read more
We had a great discussion about the things you need to do to be well- organised in the event of your demise, at the North Sydney Rotary lunchtime meeting, from 1pm March 5, 2020. The organisers said we had a ‘full house’ with every member attending. The following list might … Read more
Many people were very concerned to hear and read the words of Brisbane Detective Inspector Mark Thompson, on Thursday, when discussing the investigation into the violent deaths of Brisbane’s Hannah Clarke and her children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3, who were allegedly set alight in the family car … Read more
The full extent of the domestic violence that played out in Brisbane on Wednesday when three children and their mother were killed by their father and her husband, has been revealed. Police allege that Hannah Clarke and her children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3 were set alight in … Read more
One of the topics people most want to talk about is wills, when we get together to chat at talks on the subject of preparing for a good death. It’s best to get individual advice from a lawyer, who can drill down into your very particular circumstances. But here are … Read more