It’s a pretty simple proposition. ‘Believe your eyes”, the prosecutor tells the jury of the 9 ½ minute video of George Floyd being killed by policeman Derek Chauvin. Often we’re encouraged to doubt what we see on film and video – because clips can be doctored. But not in this … Read more
Here’s Good Grief’s bullet point review of Volume 1 Summary and Recommendations, of Australia’s Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It’s a report we want to help you keep an eye on. The Commission’s report, delivered last February, is a fantastic opportunity for everyone – including lay people, … Read more
Yes, this is our mantra too. We shared the link to this story in our March newsletter. “For many people, grief is private – and shameful. Two young women want to bring it out of the shadows,” writes Jehan Casinader, in this piece of Feb 27, from www.stuff.co.nz Jehan’s piece looks at gaps … Read more
Today, Good Friday, of course is a very important ‘death’ day in the Christian calendar. For those connected to the deeper level of Christian belief, it’s more important than Christmas Day – although it will be outranked in three days time by Easter Sunday. All the Christian denominations have in … Read more
I’m creating workshops on death and dying, so Carol Arrowsmith and Kate Mason at Sydney’s Bayside Council invited me to spend last Friday at Peter Kenyon’s brilliant ‘Bank of IDEAS’ workshop. It’s a community-focused approach to mixing great ideas with existing resources to unleash enormous potential. So inspiring. Peter’s quote … Read more
As the organisers say, it’s “a time to talk about what matters most”. “National Advance Care Planning Week is an annual initiative by Advance Care Planning Australia that encourages all Australians, regardless of their age or health status, to make their future health care preferences known,” they explain on their … Read more
The grief journey is often about hope, or rekindling it – the crucial ‘other’ component. When someone receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness they have to make a lot of adjustments, including adapting to the radical change to their dreams about the life they were going to have. Adjusting … Read more
It’s a moment of reflection and a time to pause. Our wonderful graphic design team, Amy and Laura at the Good Stuff Creative have signalled some changes in their work and life schedule, so that’s a sign! Time to break for Christmas, regroup and do some strategic planning for next … Read more
Would you like to join us to talk about the difficult subject of death, which comedian Billy Connelly likens to the “the big bully at school”? It’s wonderful to be out chatting and meeting people again, since where I live in Sydney, Australia, we’ve got Covid-19 down to a minimum … Read more
A report from the Australian charity Groundswell has just been released and it makes fascinating reading. Groundswell is committed to increasing death literacy and it’s best known project is Dying to Know Day. About itself, Groundswell explains: “An independent charity, we work at the intersection of health care, palliative care … Read more
The challenges continue for those of us grappling with Covid-19 restrictions and the impacts for the elderly in aged care. This has become a very personal dilemma for me. My 96-year-old father has developed a sense of being imprisoned and I must say his distress over this has caused my … Read more
Updated February 2, 2022. Friend and fellow traveller Mimi passed this info along. It’s a resource to help with grief, prepared by Harvard Medical School’s publishing house. This line attracted our attention: “You’ll learn that some of the things we’ve been taught about grief don’t necessarily hold true.” For example, … Read more
We love this photo of Kathryn Breusch – and not just because of the book she’s holding. Kathryn is a death doula, holistic funeral director with Picaluna Funerals, and funeral celebrant. When she sent this photo to us, we couldn’t help but smile. The photo is taken in her friend … Read more
We have settled into the rhythm of Covid-19 – we have dealt with the massive death toll, watched the social destruction it has caused, particularly in the USA, seen the cracks it causes to social cohesion in other places and we now brace ourselves for the real economic fallout, now … Read more
The favourite expression of some Anglican friends is: “the best is yet to come.” They’re referring to life after death, and it’s a very comforting thought. But for 83-year-old Scottish Margaret this has turned out to be true before then, right at the end of life, while she lives in … Read more