Death & Grief Resources
What, exactly, is the role of a death doula? Article by Esther Hall
A Lifetime Lawyer is a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. They are the gold standard when it comes to supporting vulnerable and older people with legal advice. Lifetime Lawyers are experts in delivering the best outcomes for clients of all ages who are facing important life decisions, including those with complex needs and who may need extra support.
Compassion in Dying is a UK based charity providing advice and resources for people in end-of-life planning. Some of their blogs are useful for further research.
The Good Funeral Guide - The Good Funeral Guide is the UK’s ONLY not-for-profit independent information resource for funeral advice.
The Dead Good sisters, Katy and Lindsey, are are award-winning creative death workers and arts-based death educators. Based in the North East of England, they help people create modern, sustainable, thoughtful and unique funeral experiences and so much more. Check them out!
Emma Satchell - A UK-based Independent Funeral Celebrant, End of Life Planning Facilitator, Death Doula, Death Educator, and Executive Director at Dying to Help CIC provides a host of resources and services. Whether you have questions about planning a funeral, creating an End-of-Life Plan, or joining one of their community events.
Events: Dying Matters is a week of awareness annually in May - Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign is working with you to create an open culture in which we’re comfortable talking about death, dying and grief.
The Death Studies Podcast is a platform for the diversity of voices in, around and contributing to the academic field of Death Studies. The Death Studies Podcast features emerging as well as established researchers, independent scholars and practitioners sharing their ideas, research and experience. Contributions from all disciplines, from different countries, cultures and contexts, as well as from diverse and diverging perspectives, are all welcome.
Grief Tending in Community is a growing group of people wanting to spread practices for welcoming grief in spaces which are courageous, beautiful and caring.
An incredible online library of talks, workshops and more exploring grief and loss. A UK-based organisation holding both physical and online events.
Events: At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. The objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session and Death Cafes happen regularly in cities and towns all over the world.
End of Life Doula UK is the membership association and community of practice for end of life doulas, as well as a central point of contact for individuals seeking end of life doula support in the UK. They set the standards for UK end of life doula practice and provide information about end of life doulas to the public, healthcare professionals, and the media.
Provide weekend retreats for bereaved parents and siblings on Dartmoor. Since 2018, they have delivered workshops, courses and weekend retreats – all carefully devised to help you manage and express your grief in ways that are both active and true to you.
Clare Fuller RGN MSc is a knowledgeable professional offering loads of great resources via her website Speak for Me, and offers support with advance care planning and lasting power of attorney.
TalkDeath is the hub for a changing death-conscious public. TalkDeath aims to bridge the gap between death professionals and the general public, helping people make informed end-of-life decisions.
Events: Lifting The Lid International Festival of Death & Dying (Online Festival in November)
Podcast: A podcast for those who belong to a club no one ever wants to join. This is a space to talk openly about loss, share our stories, ask the tough questions, and find meaning in the mess.
Podcast: Griefcast is a podcast that examines the human experience of grief and death - but with comedians, so it’s cheerier than it sounds.
Podcast: A sweet conversation about dying with death doula Alua Arthur on Simon Sinek’s ‘A Bit of Optimism’ podcast - Episode 163
Interview: ALOK is a life-affirming comedian, activist and poet who manages to weave the meaningful with comedic relief in a powerful way. This interview touches on lots of important themes, but includes some beautiful thoughts on death and the human experience.
TV Series: Dying for Sex is a comedy drama mini series loosely based on a true story of a 30 something woman's journey of self discovery after a terminal illness diagnosis. A brilliant exploration of human sexuality, self-discovery, the importance of friendship and chosen family and a very accurate depiction of the dying process.
Discussion: Death on Screen: Films To Encourage Conversations from Lifting the Lid International Festival - Hosted by Canadian film scholar Prof. Dan Vena, this session introduced participants to a collaboratively-generated list of films that can be referenced when seeking media material on representations of death, dying, and grief. Dan introduced some key titles and then invited the audience to share their own recommendations.
Books: Do Death For a Life Better Lived by Amanda Blainey, a useful ‘how to’ guide, particularly if you or someone you know is facing the practicalities leading up to and after death.
Books: With the End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix, a memoir style insight into experiences as a palliative care doctor. The stories she shares help people to connect more with the natural process of dying and how to better support loved ones.
Books: Honouring Our Animals is a beautifully reflective resources for healing after pet loss. 365 Meditations to support with the grief we feel from the loss of our furry friends.
Books: The Tenth Good Thing About Barney - A great resource for children on losing a beloved pet.
Books: Briefly Perfectly Human by Alua Arthur, an insightful and thoughtful memoir of her journey to becoming a death doula. One of my all-time favourite memoirs.