let's start a conversation

What happens when a child wants to talk about death?

Debbie Pepin, convenor of the www.death-to-do-list.com

This article was updated on August 3, 2022. In Debbie Pepin’s case (pictured) the adults got her into trouble for wanting to talk about death. Debbie who lives in Austin, Texas, USA is a speaker, writer, entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for talking openly about and making plans for the one certainty … Read more

Contact, listen and bless.

Contact, listen and bless - the bereaved need support but often we step back

What do you say to someone who’s recently been bereaved? “Contact, listen and bless,” says the UK’s At A Loss organisation. The bless is “shower with good things”. At A Loss’s tips include: make contact, even if you’re unsure about it call, don’t video call be prepared to leave a … Read more

Four planning steps – sounds complicated but they’re not.

Join us at North Sydney Rotary on March 5

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

Your will: a popular topic.

Wills and funerals - topics at the talks we've held on end of life.

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

At our Rotary North Sydney Sunrise breakfast we talked about your paperwork.

Join our Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise talk at the Piato, McMahons Point, 7am, Feb 11.

Good Grief took a few tips from our ‘compassionate and practical guide to prepare for the end of life’ to breakfast on Tuesday morning, February 11. I was the guest of Rotary Club’s North Sydney Sunrise group, where we focused on four important parts of your planning: Your will Your … Read more

Our first hubbub of 2020 was at Waverton.

The Waverley Hub spreads good cheer with carolling at Waverton Station, Christmas 2019.

‘Come and listen to Margaret at our next Waverton Hub Speakers’ Presentation: 2pm at the Waverton Uniting church hall, 75 Bay Rd Waverton Tuesday 4 February. No need to book – free entry – all invited.’

Spotlight on the ‘Good Death, Good Life’ expo, Brisbane.

Gillian Hall and Margaret Rice at Avid Reader Bookstore West End Brisbane

A shout out about the Good Life Good Death Expo being held in Brisbane, tomorrow December 1, 2019. Its promotion says: “No taboos, embracing all of life” which makes it a perfect project to share through Good Grief. The people behind the expo are ‘Compassionate Communities’. This is: “A global … Read more

Talk to action in Singleton

A great little gathering in country NSW at Singleton, population nearly 17,000, last Thursday, November 14. The group gathered at the public library to talk about A Good Death but went away bursting with ideas about how to make death better in their own community? (It was very satisfying to … Read more

Breakfast talk with New Way To Stay

At New Way To Stay's Aged Care Professionals Network breakfast, Nov 14, 2019.

Very stimulating to discuss end of life questions with an audience made up of those who provide services for the aged. We were at a networking breakfast meeting organised by Louise Mace, managing director of New Way To Stay, held on Thursday, November 14. The talk zeroed in on the … Read more

We love to chat – but all our talks are on hold for now.

Want to join us for a talk?

Due to the risks posed by Covid-19, Good Grief! will no longer be conducting live events. I’ve enjoyed our talks – large and small. But we need to keep ourselves and others safe. So instead, we’ve come up with some exciting alternatives. The first Good Grief! newsletter came out on … Read more

We discussed planning documents – at Paperchain Bookshop.

Margaret Rice will speak at Paperchain, Manuka, 23 October, 2019.

If you would like to attend this free event, for catering purposes, please RSVP to Paperchain at : http://books@PaperchainBookstore.com.au or phone Paperchain on 02 6295 6723.

We talked – at Paddington Library

Let's talk about A Good Death at Paddington Library

Writers and Readers: A Good Death with Margaret Rice A lovely group of about 20 tonight (Thursday 17 October 2019), all keen to share ways to improve the way we die. Which led to many questions, among them the following: How do I ensure I get access to the right … Read more