DEAD AIR #168 / May 4, 2026 by The Departure

‘Wrap our arms around’: Is this the new language of Australian grief? – ABC Religion and Ethics

‘Give me your love, so I can take it with me’: James Valentine’s living funeral – The Age

Strange hours - wonder, dread, and the shape of tiny wings by Chloe Hope, Death & Birds Substack

BOOK: Is This Normal? A book about grief by Joanna Lincolne.

SURVEY: Researchers from La Trobe University and UNSW are currently conducting a national study about funerals and bereavement. Take part HERE

The Australian Death Studies Society interdisciplinary symposium, ‘Death Down Under: Toward an Australian Death Studies’ University of Melbourne on July 10, 2026. Further info ADSS website. Abstracts invited, submitted using this form by 10 May 2026, with acceptance to be announced mid-May. Presenters will be required to be members of the Australian Death Studies Society. Info HERE

Goldfields Gothic Festival of Dark Ideas, Fri 31 July - Sun 2 Aug. Dark Market applications close 30 May. Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum, Sat 1 Aug, 3mx3m stall, $20. Email: gabrielle@thompsonsfunerals.com.au

Death Doula Mini Conference, Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov 2026. Radius Art, Hepburn Springs 3461 Vic, Cost: $225 ($50 deposit holds your place). Sat Sat:10am-6pm – presentations, lunch. Sun: 10am-2pm - mini workshops, morning tea. Email: ask.deniselove@gmail.com

TRACKS: I Love You Lena – Elias Rahbani / Pile ou Face – Les Loups Noirs / Laughing on the Outside – Bernadette Carroll / Fahrradsattel - Pisse

DEAD AIR #153 / December 16, 2025 by The Departure

PSA a few tears in this episode xxx

Support and wellbeing guidance following the Bondi Beach incident on 14 December 2025. Understand common reactions and find ways to cope and get help. You don't have to work through this alone. It doesn’t matter how you were impacted by the Bondi Beach shooting, talking to someone about how you’re feeling can really help. If you want a safe and friendly space to talk it through, Lifeline is here 24/7 via 13 11 14, text, and chat. Lifeline resources can be found HERE.

'He's been buried twice': Why John had to open his brother's grave after 49 years – SBS News

3rd Death Literacies Symposium will take place in Breda (The Netherlands) on 9 & 10 March 2026. The programme includes keynotes on innovative approaches of death literacy and end-of-life care, special sessions for early career researchers, space to explore research and practical developments together. Register your interest HERE.

Last Farewells - An emotional end of life planning platform that helps you leave no words left unspoken through last messages and personalised memorial page.

Herekind - working on making sadmin easier, transforming the way in which families are supported through loss and settling family estates. Please contribute to this short 10 minute survey about sorting out an estate in Australia after a death. Submit HERE

Helping out Castlemaine Safe Space over Christmas:

Donate non-perishable items to our Community Pantry (drop in during opening hours or put items directly into the mini pantry on our veranda.)
Drop bottles and cans to the Chewton Service Station and nominate Castlemaine Safe Space to receive the funds.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram – and share our posts. Tell your friends and family about us. Spreading the word is a great way to help!
Volunteer as a Peer Volunteer or find out more about joining our Working Group
Donate money via the website HERE

Showing Up For Each Other: Community Death Care Workshop - funded by the Wicking Trust. Supported by the Australian Home Funeral Alliance, in conjunction with Social Health Australia and the Death Literacy Institute. Led by myself, Jenny Blake & Nici Wright. Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April, Castlemaine. EOIs open now, submit HERE

TRACKS: On Your Corner – Skyscraper Stan / Silent Night – CAN / Shut Up – Alx GoSlow / Do It Do It (Simlish version) – Amyl and the Sniffers

DEAD AIR #134 / June 9, 2025 by The Departure

‘Death is not a mystery’: what happens to your body when you’re dying? – The Guardian

Was the deceased Sarco euthanasia assistant Willet wrongfully held in custody in Schaffhausen?- NZZ article

This Facility Cremates Bodies With Water (Not Fire) - SBS The Feed - Alluvium Water Cremations in Tasmania.

The Death Dialogues for Pet Loss. Honour your pet’s memory in a warm virtual space for open, thoughtful conversation about loss, love, and connection. Sun, 22 Jun, 9:30-11am AEST. $7 Book HERE

CDAS online conference 2025 Death and Transitions 11 - 13 June. (full $166 half $83). Full program HERE.

NDAN Presents - A Rotten Business: Human Decomposition with Cat Irving, Human Remains Conservator, Surgeons’ Hall London. Fri 13 June 7-9pm AEST. $5 NDAN members/$20 everyone else. Book HERE

The Grieve Project 2025 is a national storytelling project about grief and loss. It is a storytelling competition, anthology, live event, workshops and more. Submissions close 30 June. Info HERE

Fourth International End-of-Life Doula Online Symposium. Sept 5-6, registration opens soon The Good Death Impact Network

Compassionate Communities Australia National Forum. Tue 9 Sep, 8:30am-5pm AEST, Brisbane. Book HERE

TRACKS: Hit or Miss – Odetta / Drop Out Boogie – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band / To Hell With Good Intentions - McLusky