When my own time comes

Dreams can be challenging for the grieving.

Person in dream state in outer space setting - Photo by Илья Мельниченко on Unsplash

Dreams can be challenging for the grieving. There are plenty of theories about why we dream and one common explanation is that they help us process emotions. They can be particularly poignant when they involve someone we love who has died. In another of her reflections on her own grief, … Read more

Find your Ikigai and ‘rewrite your life story’.

Stephen and Sharlene Licciardello - Rewrite Your Life Story

Good Grief”s journey to improve death has the purpose of improving life. And the meandering recently brought me to the Japanese concept of Ikigai. That was when my friend Danielle from my local coffee shop handed me the little book Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy … Read more

Good Grief! loves death doulas.

Three death doulas interviewed by Lianey Smith for the Western Independent.

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

A reader’s story: Annie Whitlock on Impermanence.

Annie Whitlocke

We love to connect with our readers. ANNIE WHITLOCKE, who follows Good Grief! reflects on the concept of impermanence. And so tells how her life journey has led her to become the Buddhist death doula and Associate Director at Social Health Australia, that she is today – some of her … Read more

It’s legal to withhold life-sustaining medical treatment

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

Why not attend an online talk by death anxiety guru Dr Rachel Menzies?

National Palliative Care Week SESLHD- online event

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

What is your biggest question about dying and what is your biggest fear?

People walking along a street in silhouette.

This story was updated on March 28 2023. This is our first report on feedback from our consumer survey, which is ongoing. It was published in our March 15 newsletter. Our next report will be in the April newsletter. Please subscribe here, if you would like to follow this discussion … Read more

Did you work with a death doula?

Flinders University

We’ve been contacted by the team at the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying – Flinders University who want to find people who’ll tell them about their family’s experiences with a death doula. The services of death doulas are being utilised more and more in Australia. Here is … Read more

I learnt something new.

Margaret Rice speaking at the Calvary Bereavement Services's Living with Grief Seminar

I’ve written about grief and bereavement for years, yet I learnt something new at the seminar by Calvary Bereavement Service yesterday. It was a simple distinction, revealed at the Living With Grief seminar I facilitated. In our interview counsellor Adele Elliott explained the variety of approaches counsellors can take, with … Read more

Join us to learn how to manage your grief.

Living with Grief Seminar

Don’t forget the Living with Grief seminar on Saturday, September 10, 2022. This is open to everybody – although we do ask you to register. (See details below.) I’m the facilitator and it’s been organised by the Calvary Bereavement Counselling Service, Kogarah. Good Grief! has been digging away, learning more … Read more

Why higher wages in aged care will help the good death.

CEO of Hammondcare Mike Baird, photo from Kelvin Bissett's LinkedIn page.

The Australian Federal Election was officially called today and last week HammondCare’s CEO Mike Baird issued a challenge to the Federal Government to match Labor’s pledge to improve aged care workforce wages. HammondCare provides aged care in Australia. Mike Baird is the former Liberal Premier of NSW. Mike’s involvement keeps … Read more

Families can be broken by misunderstandings when someone dies.

Families can be broken by misunderstandings when someone dies

After three decades working at Wollongong City Council’s memorial gardens and cemeteries, Operations Manager John Chilby has told the Illawarra Mercury he’s lost count of the times he’s seen families broken by misunderstandings when someone dies. “It causes more grief and break-ups between families, so we want to try and … Read more

13 questions about aged care for your local politician

Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger on Unsplash

Updated 15 March, 2022. Aged Care Reform Now (ACRN) asked if we would give their ‘13 questions – where do you stand on aged care’ campaign some publicity. It’s a year since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – but there hasn’t been enough improvement to aged … Read more

Bianka Eifler explores grief at Wollongong’s ‘Conversations around Death and Dying’ day.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

Bianka Eifler, Bereavement Coordinator and Counsellor at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, is looking forward to supporting people from everywhere – not just Wollongong – as they ask questions about grief, when she’s a guest speaker at Wollongong’s free event, “Conversations around Death and Dying”. It’s a discussion and … Read more