‘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
The experience of grief is universal and inevitable for each of us. It is felt physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially and it is a natural response to loss, bereavement, and trauma. Grief is part of being human “But we live in a grief-avoidant culture, that encourages us to move … Read more
Annique Lee talks about how she became a death doula. To find out more, read Lainey Smith’s story. Death doulas are a valuable asset on the ‘death scene’, to help people manage the death of someone they are caring for. We’re very pleased that Lainey Smith from The Western Independent … Read more
“I find this dish incredibly comforting on a personal level,” explains Australian cooking and media personality, Lyndey Milan. “Not sure if it is because it includes mince – beef or lamb is fine – which is easy to eat and digest and brings back memories of childhood. “Or the hint … Read more
Yes, that’s right, the five stages of grief are a furphy. Even the person who’s first credited with thinking up this idea has said so. And yet the idea of five stages of grief has taken hold of the popular imagination so effectively that it’s one of the most popular … Read more
I spent yesterday introducing Good Grief! to the Hunters Hill community in Sydney as we prepare for the next Understand Death Better Q&A session, on August 3. Hunters Hill is a picturesque suburb of Sydney, one of the earliest areas settled on the stunning harbour, with strong French influences, golden … Read more
Expert in palliative care Richard Chye talks living. This article was inspired by our survey results asking the question ‘What is your biggest question about dying and what is your biggest fear?’ and is the fourth in a series exploring the concerns you raised. It first appeared in our Good … Read more
Discussions about that taboo subject – death – will open up when a new film, Live the Life You Please, plays at the Event Cinema Bondi Junction at 6pm, on May 24. The film introduces Australians of all ages, and from all over Australia, who are “experiencing their last chapter” – that … Read more
This article was updated on April 25, 2023. It discusses the right to withhold life-sustaining medical treatment for yourself or another. It’s legal. You’re allowed to say ‘no’ to medical treatment. And if you’re the person responsible, you’re allowed to say no on behalf of the person you’re responsible for. … Read more
Rachel Menzies is talking about death anxiety. She will be the guest of the Grief and Bereavement team, Sutherland Hospital, Sydney, speaking at their online National Palliative Care Week event on May 22 from 2-3pm. It will be held online via Teams. Rachel is co-author of the book How the … Read more
Last Days, a HammondCare program designed to help people with “knowledge and tools to navigate a person’s last days”was launched in February and is now taking registrations from people in the community. Last Days provides “practical and effective education to improve knowledge and confidence for those caring for someone in … Read more
Your Advance Care plan tells people what your wishes for your medical care are, when you can no longer speak for yourself. An Advance Care Directive is the formalised version of your plan. Advance Care Planning Australia is holding events across Australia during Advance Care Planning Week. Get more information. … Read more
This article was updated on March 14, 2023. It discusses palliative care patients. What a great headline. Katrin Gerber has used it with the added thought – “Predicting survival to discharge of hospital patients referred to residential aged care.” Dr Gerber and her team looked retrospectively over a two year … Read more
This article was updated on March 11, 2023. It discusses death and palliative care in nursing homes. We’re still hearing uncomfortable stories from readers about the deaths of their elderly in nursing homes. Sometimes only a little thing went wrong, making the family sad for the dying person, and undoing … Read more
This story was updated on March 10, 2023. It discusses being a death doula. Kim Somerville looks like someone you’d expect to be working with chic designer wear at Noosa or another upmarket beach. The day we chatted at her favourite local coffee shop in Sydney’s Lilli Pilli, she wore … Read more