DEAD AIR #175 / July 13, 2026 by The Departure

‘We know how to mourn other humans – but what about ecological grief?’ – The Guardian

‘Why Your Business Will Collapse After You Die’ Taboo Education - YouTube

Taboo Education is crowdfunding for an upcoming book, ‘But It Would Never Happen To Me’. Make a donation through the Australian Cultural Fund website HERE

Reflections on the Death Down Under: Toward an Australian Death Studies symposium (Fri 10 July) in Naarm/Melbourne with Bec Lyons.

Dying to Know Day event in Rochester. Meet local organisations, ask questions, explore topics through short presentations and resources on offer. Rochester Racecourse Recreation Reserve, Mon 10 Aug, 9.30am-2.30pm. Please register by email hello@livingandleaving.com.au

Good Grief Lounge, Dying to Know Day: Jenny Blake: What is a Death Doula? & Sarah Byrne: How to Make a Will and appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney & Ceramicist Lisa McPherson: Will lead us in making a healing vessel out of clay. Entry: $10 donation at the door. Please register your attendance HERE Sat 8 Aug, 11am–2pm, Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker Street, Castlemaine.

Great Stupa Death Festival A day to come together as a community to reflect, connect and celebrate life. Sat 15 Aug, 11am-3pm, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Myers Flat, FREE.

This year for Dying to Know month I've been invited to speak at Woodend & Bendigo Library. Reimagining Death: A thought-provoking talk exploring meaningful alternatives to end-of-life rituals. How can we approach death with creativity, care, and a lighter footprint? Explore meaningful alternatives, from living wakes to natural burials and end-of-life rituals, in this thought-provoking talk. Discover how we, as a community, can reshape our relationship with death. Book HERE: Bendigo Library: Thu, 6 Aug, 5:30pm + Woodend Library: Fri, 7 Aug, 2pm.

TRACKS: Songs from the #1 EP launch by Erica Carrot Collision Hole Precious Rose / Rush To Relax / Which Way To Go

DEAD AIR #173 / June 29, 2026 by The Departure

Sydney MP pushes to bring human composting to Australia as burial costs rise – ABC News

What’s a living wake? The end‑of‑life ritual that lets you say goodbye on your own terms – The Conversation

Breaking news! The Northern Territory government is actively drafting Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation, with a bill slated for introduction and debate in mid-2026.

Pacemakers have had a serious upgrade - Lisa Herbert, The Bottom Drawer Book

AHFA presents: Building Community Capacity with Jenny Briscoe-Hough, 9 Jul 9, 7.00pm online, book HERE

Community & Care - Death & Grief: Practical, artful ways to show up for the end of life. 4 online sessions held on Sundays from 6-8 PM (Aug 2, Aug 23, Sep 13, Oct 4). COST: $240 early bird / $270.

Great Stupa Death Festival A day to come together as a community to reflect, connect and celebrate life. Sat 15 Aug, 11am-3pm, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Myers Flat, FREE.

ELM Peer Support Group for Suicide Loss, next meeting: Mon 29 June, 6–7:30 pm, Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn St. For more info, E: theelmpsg@gmail.com or call Maryanne (0409 023 235) or Rachel (0404 468 534).

Reimagining Death: A thought-provoking talk exploring meaningful alternatives to end-of-life rituals with Hayley West. This year for Dying to Know month I've been invited to speak at Woodend & Bendigo Library. How can we approach death with creativity, care, and a lighter footprint? Explore meaningful alternatives, from living wakes to natural burials and end-of-life rituals, in this thought-provoking talk. Discover how we, as a community, can reshape our relationship with death. BOOK HERE: Bendigo Library: Thu, 6 Aug, 5:30pm + Woodend Library: Fri, 7 Aug, 2pm.

TRACKS: Language is a Virus - Laurie Anderson / Computer Age - Neil Young / Onyx - Space Art

DEAD AIR #137 / August 5, 2025 by The Departure

‘DYING TO KNOW’ AUGUST EVENTS SPECIAL

THIS WEEK - - - - - >

Fireside funeral chat with Celebrant Beverly Risstrom. Wed 6 Aug 2-3pm Inglewood Library Agency Thur 7 Aug, 2-3pm Kangaroo Flat Library

AHFA presents: Technology Supports for Community Care - Simon Lowe (The Ageing Revolution), Colin Pudsey (SilVR), Holly Smith (Public Health Palliative Care Unit) and Catherine Ashton (Critical Info). Wed 6 Aug, 7-8.30pm AEST online: register HERE

Delve into Buddhism, Good Grief Lounge - Northern Arts Hotel, Fri 8 Aug 11am-1pm Register HERE

The Mourning After Exhibition and Public Program, 24 July-20 Sept, RMIT Design Hub, Melbourne. Details HERE / Wed 6 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Grief Guide: Your 3AM Friend workshop with Evonne Miller, co -design an AI-powered grief support tool. / Thu 7 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Writing Through Eco Grief workshop with The Grief Cocoon founder Gabriella Georges. / Fri 8 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Mapping Climate Feelings workshop for young people with Linda Knight, Larissa Hjorth and Tamara Borovica.

NDAN Presents: Memento Mori: The Art of Contemplating Death to Live a Better Life with Author and Morbid Anatomy Museum founder Joanna Ebenstein. Sat 9 Aug, 9-11am AEST, book HERE

COMING SOON - - - - - >

Reimagining Death with me Hayley West! Kyneton Library Thursday 14 August, 2-3pm - book HERE Castlemaine Library Thursday 14 August, 5.30-6.30pm - book HERE

BAT MASSIVE XL: Guided Tour Sat 16 Aug 3pm. Presented by Abbotsford Convent, Wildlife Victoria, 3RRR + MAPPA. Book HERE

The Death Dialogues - Calling All Men. Sun 31 Aug, 9:30am-10:30am AEST online, book HERE

NORTHERN BOOKS - SAVE THE DATE - Sat 13 Sept, 2pm. ‘The Power of Choice’ book discussion, Buda House, Castlemaine.

LISTEN BACK - - - - - > ABC Nightlife - What songs do you want played at your funeral? Death literacy advocate Hayley West joins Lisa Pellegrino to discuss why you should start planning your funeral now. Listen HERE

TRACKS: High Command – Earth / Psunspot – Kanaan / Raglan – Grace Cummings / Choc-A-Bloc - Anika