Mortal Companions: A Peer Space for Those Who Walk Close to Death

My life, whether through work, learning or creative projects, has brought me into contact with an extraordinary range of people who live close to death. Some encounter it through their work as end of life doulas or companions, funeral professionals, healthcare workers, celebrants or therapists. Others arrive through lived experience, holding a deep personal commitment to death awareness as a value and way of living.

Most recently, through running a virtual book club exploring themes of mortality and grief, I’ve met academics, authors, doulas, funeral directors, Death Café organisers, vicars and more. All with insightful perspectives, meaningful stories and a shared curiosity to learn and share with one another. Again and again, when I talk to people, one shared need has emerged.

People working and living in death spaces often carry profound conversations, complex emotions and hard-earned wisdom, yet have very few places where they themselves can simply arrive as peers. Not as professionals. Not as supporters. Not as educators. Just as humans in community with others who understand we are complex, multi-layered beings who just need a soft place to land sometimes. Mortal Companions has grown directly from that recognition.

This is a facilitated virtual peer space for UK-based death-aware people. A place to gather with others who understand what it means to live alongside mortality, whether through work, personal experience or deeply held values. Together, we will create space to connect, reflect and share experience. There is no expectation to fix, advise or perform. Participants are invited to bring curiosity, honesty and presence, to share or just to listen over a cup of tea, or dinner…no pretence, just showing up as you are.

It is important to say clearly what this space is, and what it is not.

Mortal Companions is not group therapy, counselling, clinical supervision or a crisis support space. While conversations may touch grief, loss and emotional experience, this gathering is intended as a peer community rooted in mutual respect and shared understanding, not therapeutic intervention or personal support work.

Instead, this is a space for thoughtful conversation, resource sharing, collective reflection and connection with others who recognise the realities of engaging with death in their lives and work. A place where insight can be shared, ideas explored and experiences witnessed without pressure to solve or carry responsibility for one another; but a place where the weight does not have to be carried alone.

Each gathering will be gently facilitated to support meaningful discussion while allowing the group’s collective needs and wisdom to shape what emerges. There will be room for collaboration, reflection and honest conversation about the personal and cultural dimensions of living close to death.

Join us

Our first gathering will take place on Monday 13th April at 7pm, with meetings continuing bi-monthly with flexibility to adjust according to the group’s needs/availability. If you feel drawn to this kind of shared space, you are warmly invited to join us.

Simply RSVP via Eventbrite. A meeting link will be emailed to you a few days before. 

Mortal Companions