DEAD AIR #154

‘Andrew Garfield and Elmo are going viral with their moving chat. Celebrities can help us talk about grief’ – The Conversation

‘Judge accepts guilty pleas from Colorado funeral home owners for abuse of 191 corpses’ – ABC News

‘The Secret to A Fresh Smelling Mausoleum’ with Lauren the Mortician - YouTube

 Remembrance Rituals inspired by conversations on Don’t Be Caught Dead podcast, Critical Info

The online CDAS conference 2026: Death and Power - is now open for contributions. Abstracts of 250 words to be submitted by 2 Feb, more details 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: Mad Rooter Ghost Rider – Party Dozen / Danger – Hetslayer / Closer - Vague Rituals / Ur Dad’s Fav Band – Sandy Dish

DEAD AIR #152

The conversation no one wants to have with their parents (and it’s not about sex) – SMH

In Tokyo, a new space for writing letters to the departed as a quiet ritual of grief – TrendWatching

Australia’s Coffin Confessor Bill Edgar signs major television deal in the U.S securing the rights for the inspiration/adaptation of The Coffin Confessor’s life story.

Tender Funerals is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Registered Training Organisation RiteSkill Education & Training.

ALSO: IFISS short courses & Funeral Fix, Funeral Director training.

Being a mortician is hard on your body – Are You Dying to Know? YouTube

Ashworks creates bespoke memorial art using a unique process that transforms ashes into art. You can meet Gav Barbey (artist) and Dana Ronan (storyteller) at the Ashworks Launch, Thu 4 Dec, 5:30-8pm, 108 Urquhart St, Ballarat Central VIC. RSVP HERE

NDAN & AHFA jointly presents End of Life: Bodies in Dress and Death with Dr Pia Interlandi. Online, Sat 6 Dec, 7- 9PM AEDT. Book 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, Venue TBC. EOIs open now, submit HERE

TRACKS: Suspirium – Thom Yorke / Love Wheel – Daniel Johnston

DEAD AIR #150

‘It was the last time Mum smiled at me’: the choirs singing to the dying in three-part harmony – The Guardian

Threshold Choir – Their Vision is a world where all at life’s thresholds may be honoured with compassion shared through song. A Castlemaine Threshold Choir is in the process of setting up, so WTS!

Edge of Life review – can understanding death help us understand how to live? – The Guardian

Australian artist Lynette Wallworth travels to the Amazon to explore psychedelics and death – ABC NEWS

Lifting The Lid International Festival of Death & Dying recap.

Ask Robin – an AI grief support companion, founded by Dr. Rhea Perkins

‘What do you want to be buried with?’ Dr. Jennifer Riley, TEDxAberdeen

‘Piece of Mind’ by Emma Wood, directed by Stephen Mitchell, 14-30 November 2025, Fri/Sat 7.30pm, Sun 2pm. Castlemaine Theatre Company, Tickets HERE.

Death Café Maldon End of Year Gathering at Oshi’s Tree - Join us at the sacred sanctuary of Oshi’s Tree in Newstead, created in memory of Rueben’s son, Oshi - a place of love, remembrance, and gentle healing. Bring a chair, picnic rug, food & drinks. Plate of food to share. Sunday 23 Nov, 11am, Newstead. Event details HERE

Sydney Festival of Death and Dying – details HERE 22-23 November, Rushcutters Bay.