Covid-19 unlikely to be contracted from a dead body.
Funeral directors and mortuary personnel are unlikely to contract COVID-19 from bodies.
Funerals in Australia are now restricted to only 10 people.
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.
Burial in a shroud – no coffin.
I’ve attached a great article from the Canadian newspaper, Edmonton Journal, which shows the growing acceptance of shrouds with no coffin burials, even among traditionalists. It says the Anglican church in Alberta is recognising the environmental concerns of its congregation, something that is catching on everywhere. My cover photo, which … Read more
Making music as a way to say goodbye
Here is a wonderful example of how we can bring our talents and who we are right up to the experience of the death of someone we love. Being with the people we love as they die and actively participating in how we say goodbye to them makes death easier … Read more
My Deer, Phoenix Park.
That’s a full stop – a red stop sign with angled corners and a white line around it. Resting here, my knees have buckled, in front of that sign you planted in my path. I have walked this space so confidently, happy to share what I know, to muck in. … Read more
A Mexican Cross to remember Chris
Today a Mexican Cross to remember Chris by, because later this morning, Sydney time, his family who are dear to my heart will bury him. They are a large Catholic family just like the one I grew up in and now he, one of the six siblings, is gone. If … Read more
Saying goodbye with architecture
Nearly 80,000 words later and close to completing my ‘life affirming book about death’, I’m back. With more ideas, challenges and stories of people’s experiences to share, as we talk about death. This is one: what if better architecture makes better goodbyes? Here’s something wonderful – thank you to the UK’s … Read more
Green-pod burials solve many problems
Green-pod burials solve many problems. They’re good for the environment and they’re a gentle, practical and beautiful way to return to the earth. So they would work even for the most traditional of people. “I’ve completely changed my plans about how I’m going to be buried,” announced my friend Kim at … Read more
Farewell to Pauline Helen Hensley
Pauline looked as though she was just doing the ordinary things: just getting on with it because, as she said, you’ve got no choice. But she was being absolutely extraordinary.
Birth is a beginning and death a destination…
My colleague and neighbour Andrew Casey was buried today, after a beautiful Jewish funeral service. His brother John observed that he still had his mop of rich brown hair – but lamented that he wished Andrew had lived long enough to go grey. Simple wisdoms flowed from the Old Testament, … Read more
Now that the funeral is over
Introducing Doris Zagdanski, who works with one of the largest funeral providers in Australia. She is also the author of many books about grief. Doris is currently giving a lot of thought to that most difficult of times – when the funeral is over. “After the funeral we shut the … Read more
The Kiwi Coffin Club
Love the way these baby-boomers are rethinking the end, turning old ideas on their head, the way they always have – while making friends and tap-dancing.
We reflected – Grief can last forever can’t it?
Facilitated a discussion tonight about grief, with the Funeral Celebrants Association of Australia. We challenged our culture’s notions about how long you’re allowed to grieve for: “Grief can last forever can’t it?” suggested Judy. Some shared stories about bad deaths. This included a chilling story about a death certificate being … Read more
Book review: The Museum Of Words
When I got back from my recent travels in country NSW with family, I found this posting to her followers from Susan Wyndham. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Susan. The genre of reflecting on death and what it means, continues to grow. From Susan: “You might be interested in … Read more
Facebook etiquette when someone dies
by Rachel Thompson, Mashable. When someone you love passes away, turning to Facebook can be a profoundly helpful way of processing that loss and expressing your grief. But, for the deceased’s nearest and dearest, social media can be deeply overwhelming and upsetting in the immediate aftermath and even the long … Read more
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