The Departure

29/01/2026

I wonder when this will be available in Australia? It looks funny, irreverent, and heart breaking 🖤

André, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn't get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity, send him on a...

27/01/2026

This photo holds a quiet lesson I’ll never forget.

The family wanted their loved one resting in the grave before they arrived. They wanted the moment they came to be about presence, not process. So we prepared the earth first, lining the grave with boughs of evergreen and clippings of yaupon, letting the scent of green life soften the soil and edges.

We were training a young, eager gal that day, bright-eyed, ready to learn what this work really asks of you. Ellen climbed down into the grave with her, steady and calm, showing her exactly how it’s done when there’s no machinery, no straps, no distance between you and the responsibility you’re holding.

The body was light enough that we didn’t need equipment. Just hands. Just care. Just people doing what humans have done for thousands of years, lowering one of their own into the earth with intention and respect.

This is what people don’t see when they imagine MY funeral work. It isn’t sterile. It isn’t rushed. It’s deeply human. It’s teaching by example. It’s green branches and flower petals tucked where no one else will see them, simply because it matters.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen before anyone else arrives.

27/01/2026

Burial and cremation carry some big environmental costs. Is there a better way?

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/human-composting-natural-burials-water-cremation-greener-ways-to-go-when-you-die-270969

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26/01/2026

On today’s episode of DEAD AIR: Indigenous beliefs about death and the afterlife, the 2nd half of the great End Of Life Yarning podcast, a reminder about talks, natural disaster resources and our community deathcare workshop here in Castlemaine & some tunes from 🔥 Blak Indigenous women… Enjoy 🖤
🖤 Live: 94.9fm local frequency or stream mainfm.net Mondays 10-11am AEDT
🖤 Later: uploads at hayleywest.com.au/radio & MAINfm Mixcloud
📸: January 26, Survival Day/Australia Day

23/01/2026

22/01/2026

https://aeon.co/essays/dying-to-be-green-are-new-eco-funerals-a-false-promise

Many people today want to commit their remains to rejuvenating the planet. But are these green deaths just greenwashing?

22/01/2026

White Hills – Grevillea Rise Experience the serenity of Grevillea Rise , a new offering at White Hills Remembrance Park. Set within a peaceful bushland landscape, this exclusive development features 42 deluxe lawn plots, each designed to provide a dignified and lasting tribute. Every plot include

22/01/2026

Funeral Director and Ceremonialist Ashley Hudson reflects on the impact of the families of stillborn babies not having their deaths reflected in the public record.

21/01/2026

Would love a secret funder to whisk me away for this!

3rd International Death Literacies Symposium: Program Update

The preliminary program with speakers and topics is live!

Speakers include: Anne Goossensen (NL), Kerrie Noonan (AUS), Steven Vanderstichelen (BE), Libby Sallnow (UK), Bert Quintiens (BE), Leen van Brussel (BE), Peter Hoegen (NL), Jan Suren Möllers, Anja Franczak and Verena Ries (PL) Rebecca Lyons (Australia)

Early Career Researcher Sessions include: Chloe Coelho (AUS) , Erin Bonvino (AUS), Niki Read (AUS), Renske Visser (FI), Charlotte van Campfort (Belgium), Clement Meier (Switzerland), Karen Nelson (USA), Astrid Verhue (BE) Dimitrios Charizanis

More to come!

There is no registration fee only a catering fee thanks to Avans University of Applied Sciences and our wonderful host Anne Goossensen.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Breda!

https://www.deathliteracy.institute/3rd-dl-symposium