Wild swimming and grief
Increasing numbers of studies are connecting the power of nature to wellbeing, pain management and peace at end of life. At Part of Life, we understand that nature can be a solace for mental suffering, be it anxiety, depression or grief.
There are many ways to connect with nature to access its mental health benefits. One popular method to immerse oneself in nature is wild swimming.
Burial customs from around the world
In the western world, though our funerary practices are evolving, we are most familiar with two methods to dispose of the dead: burial and cremation. In other parts of the world, the treatment of the dead and disposal of remains can vary enormously, with vastly differing rituals and beliefs.
A Good Goodbye
What makes a good goodbye? We invited independent funeral celebrant, and ex-social worker, Susanna Watson to share her thoughts on what elements make for a good funeral send off.
Cemetery Photography
Ever heard of Taphophilia? We approached tombstone tourist, Madame Cimetière, to share her love of cemetery photography and discover more about this respectful and beautiful art form.
Dr. Kate Woodthorpe on the future of grief
Part of Life spoke to Dr. Kate Woodthorpe, Co-Director of the Centre for Death and Society (CDAS) at Bath University, about how she came to work in death studies and where she believes the future of grief is heading.
‘Get Mortal’ - Dead Good Parties
We are sisters, Katy and Lindsey Vigurs (Vigurs rhymes with tigers). We are the founding directors of DEAD GOOD, a not-for-profit, arts-based death education company that aims to end taboos around all things death and dying. We have deliberately introduced a bright, bold and quirky vibe to the death education scene in the UK.
My Grief Playlist
Study beats, Saturday night party hits, hardcore workout anthems maybe, but a Grief Playlist? As part of National Grief Awareness Week, guest blogger, Amy Jackson shares her top five songs to grieve to. Listen along, share your top tunes and visit our Part of Life Playlist.
Children need to know
As part of Children’s Grief Awareness Week (16-23 November), we asked We Hear You’s Chair Of Trustees and Dorothy House Psychological Support Lead, Anne Montague to provide some useful tips for how to support children through grief.
Kicking the Bucket – A festival of living and dying
Liz Rothschild set up the Kicking the Bucket Festival in 2012. Working as a celebrant and burial ground manager, she realised that it was essential to talk with people before a bereavement in order for people to feel able to ask for what they really need. Here, Liz tells us about why she started the festival, what it involves, and how it helps to destigmatise the taboo subject of death and dying.
Funeral traditions – where did they come from and where are they going?
You may be surprised to discover that many of the traditions associated with the modern British funeral are actually hundreds, or even thousands of years old. But nothing is permanent, and trends are now moving in a very different direction.
Talking to the dead: a history of Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a system of belief based on the concept of communication with the dead, mostly through mediums – people who are able to contact the deceased. But where did it come from? How do mediums make contact with the dead? And do people still practice Spiritualism and séances?
What will your Digital Legacy be?
We all have a digital footprint. Every post on Instagram, every music playlist we’ve carefully curated. Whether it’s photos, emails or even gaming avatars, what will happen to them when we die and will loved ones ever be able to access them again as a means to connect and as balm to grief?
A Grandparent’s Grief
The death of a grandchild is hard to bear. But the death of three and his own wife, seems incomprehensible. Self declared ‘problem solver’ and grandfather Peter Hime, shares his perspectives on making death a part of life for children and how to support a family through the impossible.
Landmark Death Literacy research to shape local hospice end of life care
Landmark Dorothy House Death Literacy research to shape local end of life care.
What matters to you?
BSW Junior Doctor, Eve Barnes, shares her perspectives on the What Matters to You movement and the importance of signing the charter ahead of What Matters to You Day on 9th June, 2023.
End-of-life care and learning disabilities
People with a learning disability and autistic people, who die earlier than the rest of the population face little or no end-of-life care planning. Lynnette Glass, BSW LeDeR area coordinator writes about their ambition to change this inequality.
The power of nature at end of life
We come from nature and nature surrounds us, but what role can nature play at the end of life?
Thinking ahead to the end of life…
Age UK B&NES share their top tips for planning ahead for the end of life; from power of attorney to difficult conversations, getting your affairs in order can reduce anxiety for everyone involved.
In conversation with Kathryn Mannix
Wayne de Leeuw, ex-palliative care nurse and CEO of Dorothy House Hospice, interviews writer, speaker and palliative care specialist, Kathryn Mannix.
From the mouths of babes…
19 year-old Jess’s Mum died in May 2021. In this honest and disarming interview Jess shares her experience of death, grief and bereavement and its catastrophic impact on her academic career and personal life.