DEAD AIR #185 / September 21, 2026 by The Departure

‘I created my mom and talk to her’: AI ghosts and deathslop are changing the way we mourn – The Guardian

Back from the dead: could AI end grief? On the Ground YouTube

‘We thought death could do with a bit of dancing’: welcome to Sondering, the arts festival with its own funeral march – The Guardian

Love & Loss - a 5Rhythms® exploration of the loving, broken heart with Meredith Davies & David Juriansz. Through 5Rhythms dance, reflective practice and ritual you will be guided through the terrain of love and loss. A 2-day workshop to dance with our grief, our gratitude and be held in community in grace. Dates: Sat 31 Oct & Sun 1 Nov, 10-5pm. Early Bird - $200 Before Sep 30 or until sold out. e: 5Rhythms@movingessence.com. St.Marys Hall, Castlemaine.

ONLINE: AHFA and Queer as Death Collective (Naarm) Presents - ‘A Joyous Death’ with Alex Antunes. Sharing a documentary 'HARD/SOFT/STICKY WET: A Joyous Death' (2025) documenting the Corpse Couture event. Mon 19 Oct, 7-8.30pm AEDT Book HERE

PODCAST: ‘For The Love of Brick’ Ep14. For the Love of Alby A Father's Day special episode dedicated to their late son Alby, who unexpectedly died in 2021. Greg shares how LEGO played a role in their relationship and in the weeks after Alby's death.

The Death Worker Summit Turn Your Calling into a Sustainable Practice. Join 20 death workers for honest conversations and practical steps to help you get hired, build meaningful relationships, and build the business around your end-of-life work. A virtual gathering for death doulas, end-of-life educators and planners, grief workers, celebrants, funeral professionals, home funeral guides, holistic practitioners, and others whose work supports people through death, dying, grief, and remembrance. ONLINE: 24-27 Sept. Book HERE.

A weekend immersion into shrouding and weaving hosted by master weaver of 30+ years Zimmi Forest from NSW and facilitated by local, independent death worker Hayley West of The Departure. Together, we will weave a shroud carrier and/or a coffin out of the invasive Cats Claw vine. An opportunity to learn and share curiosities and questions around the practice of shrouding and open up conversations anything death, dying and grieving. All materials and morning teas are provided. Book via Humantix, search for 'Coffin Weaving Castlemaine' or contact Hayley directly at hello@thedeparture.com.au Sat 10 Oct, 9:30am – 4pm & Sun 11 Oct, 10am-3.30pm. Venue: The Old Gaol, Castlemaine. Book HERE

TRACKS: Mizmar - Aswan / Tango Whiskeyman - CAN

DEAD AIR #183 / September 7, 2026 by The Departure

Woman laid to rest in coffin made from mushrooms in Australian first – The Guardian

NDAN Presents - How Mushrooms Are Changing the Way We Say Goodbye with Bob Hendrikx, founder & CEO of Loop Biotech, award-winning inventor, architect and bio designer. Fri 18 Sept 7-8pm AEST. Details HERE book HERE

The Missing Navigator: Why End-of-Life Doulas Belong at the Heart of Compassionate Communities – Your Path Guide

When a Narcissist Is Dying You Don’t Have to Be There - Hospice Nurse Julie, YouTube

‘The Digital Life of Grief - Online Mourning in the Age of Hashtags, Algorithms, and Social Media’ - Open Access link HERE

The Role of Men’s Sheds in Supporting Men Through End-of-Life Experiences – Seminar hosted by The Good Death Impact Network and The Care Lab at UNSW. Presenter: Dr John MacArtney, Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School, UK. - in person & online, Tues 8 Sept, 2-3pm, book HERE

AHFA presents: ‘Death Literacy as Community Practice. What if caring for people at the end of life was understood not only as a health service responsibility, but as a shared community practice?’ With Dr. Kerrie Noonan, online, Tues15 Sept, 7-8.30pm AEST Details HERE Book HERE

The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept) is Changing the Narrative on Suicide, with the call to action: Start the Conversation. Castlemaine resources: Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn St on Tuesdays 4-6.30pm, Thursdays 9.30am-12pm & Saturdays 1.30-4pm. ELM - Every Life Matters, Peer Support Group which meets on the last Monday of every month at Safe Space. Email: theelmpsg@gmail.com

Remembering Rainbow: LGBTIQA+ Memorial for World Suicide Prevention Day 2026. Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. Thurs 10 Sept, 6-8pm, details HERE

TRACKS: Paradise – Vague Rituals / Stupid Thing – Good Moon

DEAD AIR #182 / August 31, 2026 by The Departure

NEW SHOW SPONSOR - BARKERS CREEK AUTO REPAIRS!

Historic vote completes VAD journey – but NT law falls short – Go Gentle Australia

Where does the artist begin and end? At Revivification at Now or Never, the answer’s far from simple – ArtsHub

Importing human remains and biosecurity – Dept of Health, Disability & Ageing

Also see: Importing human remains or ashes – Australian Border Force

Fact vs. Myth: Rigor Mortis Is Not Permanent – Home Funeral Alliance Substack

Make-up on corpses – Trish & Tracey from Are You Dying To Know Instagram

Are you an early career professional working in or alongside Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Victoria? DWDV is offering one fully funded 2-day pass to attend the VAD Conference (VADCON 2026) in Melbourne on 19–20 Oct, plus a travel bursary for regional applicants. Apps close: Fri 11 Sept, details HERE

This year’s Spring Ball theme is ‘Castlemaine Gothic.’ Spring Ball is a major annual fundraiser for Castlemaine Community House and a highlight of the local calendar. Don’t miss it. Sat 12 Sept, Castlemaine Town Hall Tickets: $50 (full price); $35 (conc.) Purchase tickets HERE

A weekend immersion into shrouding and weaving hosted by master weaver of 30+ years Zimmi Forest from NSW and facilitated by local, independent death worker Hayley West of The Departure (and host of Mainfm show DEAD AIR). Together, we will weave a shroud carrier and/or a coffin out of the invasive Cats Claw vine. An opportunity to learn and share curiosities and questions around the practice of shrouding and open up conversations anything death, dying and grieving. All materials and morning teas are provided. Book via Humantix, search for 'Coffin Weaving Castlemaine' or contact Hayley directly at hello@thedeparture.com.au Sat 10 Oct, 9:30am – 4pm & Sun 11 Oct, 10am-3.30pm. Venue: The Old Gaol, Castlemaine. Book HERE

TRACKS: Did you ever want to go to your own funeral? – James Ellis Ford / Man is like a spring flower demo – Lingua Ignota