Water cremation in the UK
Scotland is now the first part of the UK to introduce water cremation, with regulations approved and the option officially available from 2 March 2026. The Scottish Government has confirmed that funeral directors can now offer the process, and the first procedures are expected to take place this summer. For many, this may be the first time they have heard about water cremation. Here are our FAQs to help you understand how it works and why someone might choose it.
How Scrubs handles death and grief
One of the most talked about TV shows this spring is the return of the hit medical comedy, Scrubs, after being off our screens for the last 16 years. While billed as a comedy, Scrubs has never shied away from difficult topics, especially when it comes to death and dying. Throughout nine seasons, there are a handful of episodes that truly stand out when it comes to themes of death and grief. Discover our favourites.
Interview with a pathologist: what happens during a post-mortem examination
We were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to Chris Meehan, Consultant Histopathologist at the Royal United Hospital in Bath about his work on post-mortems. For some, the topic of autopsies is taboo; a subject too uncomfortable to approach. For others, it’s a fascinating, though slightly squeamish reality. So what are Chris’s thoughts on post-mortem and public perception?
Valentine’s Day: Sex, intimacy and relationships at the end of life
When someone is living with a terminal illness, nearly every part of life can shift, including how they feel about their body, their sexuality, and their relationships. Studies have shown that many patients nearing the end of their lives have expressed that sex and intimacy are essential to them; however, it is often overlooked by healthcare professionals and not commonly discussed.
Dying for Sex TV Review
Many end of life patients have expressed that sex and intimacy are essential to them; however, it is often overlooked by healthcare professionals and often taboo. Dying for Sex steers directly into that very topic, but at the same time, explores themes of empowerment and healing from trauma, as well as what it means to face mortality. Read our review.
Life After: A Reflection on Choice, Equity and the Fragility of Humanity
Saiyada Fazal, Organisational and People Development Partner at Dorothy House Hospice Care, recently attended the premiere of Life After, a film focusing on the topic of assisted dying from the perspective of disabled people. Here is her insightful and poignant review on Life After.
Being a Compassionate Companion
Albert recently qualified as an integrative counsellor, focusing on loss and grief, and considers himself part of the death-positive movement. In our latest blog, Albert explains his role as a volunteer Compassionate Companion, and what the experience means to him.
Post-mortem photography: a window into the past
In the modern age of smart phones, we often take it for granted that thousands of images exist of ourselves, available at the click of a button, photos taken in seconds and at no cost. But for many families in the 19th and early 20th centuries, post-mortem photography was the only chance to capture an image of a loved one.
London Month of the Dead: spooky soirées and morbid musings
Stephen Coates is the co-creator of London Month of the Dead, a fascinating festival of talks, tours and events about death and mortality, running throughout October. In our latest blog, we find out all about this scintillating series and why Stephen and Suzette Field launched their annual festival of the dead.
Becoming a death doula
Mangala Holland is a death doula in training, having completed a foundation course with Living Well Dying Well. Having worked in the sexual wellness world for 12 years, she is no stranger to journeying with people through tender, challenging and intimate times. In our latest blog we ask her why and how she became a death doula.
Lung disease and end of life: take part in research
Nurse and PhD student, Kathy Rogers, is currently exploring the experiences of caregivers (friends and family) who looked after someone who died with a respiratory disease with the University of the West of England, Bristol. In our latest blog, she tells us why she is studying this important topic and how you can get involved in her research.
The history of death masks: faces of the departed
Throughout history, humans have longed to remember the dead—not just in spirit, but in form. Among the most haunting and intimate expressions of this desire is the death mask: a cast taken from a person’s face shortly after death. From Tutankhamun to Lenin, let’s take a look at death masks through history.
Grief Journaling
For Mental Health Awareness Week, Amy Jackson shares her personal experience and top tips for Grief Journaling.
Dying Matters Awareness Week 2025: The Culture of Dying Matters
This Dying Matters Awareness Week, from 5 – 11 May, Hospice UK is focusing on how different communities and cultures in the UK feel, talk about, and deal with death and dying – and what brings them together.
The theme of this year's campaign is: The Culture of Dying Matters.
World Art Day 2025: the depiction of death in art
Throughout the history of art, artists have utilised various mediums to explore universal human experiences. The one, inescapable human experience which has fascinated, horrified and captivated artists, is death.
Part of Life has created a list of art works that offer views on death and dying, that can help those struggling with questions around mortality, to reflect and consider the ultimate human experience.
The power of the ‘in-between’ time
Part of Life was thrilled to be invited to a special The Power of Liminal Time workshop, aimed at understanding why men are reticent to attend such workshops.
This blog is a personal journey, offering a white male perspective on the session that is in no way meant to lessen any other experiences.
Mother’s Day and grief
Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for many. There are those who are grieving for their mothers and mothers who are grieving for their children.
Coping on Mother’s Day when you have experienced a loss may seem unfathomable, but we hope that these suggestions on how to manage the day may offer some comfort.
Books for children and young people – World Book Day
We know that death and dying is a taboo topic for most adults, but this is especially the case when communicating it to children and young people. To mark World Book Day on 6 March, Part of Life guest blogger, Amy Jackson, explores some of the most popular children’s books on death, dying and grief.
Grave iconography – decoding a Victorian cemetery
If you’ve ever taken a stroll around a cemetery you may notice a cornucopia of symbolism surrounding you. Each of the symbols you find on headstones is rich in meaning, but if you’re unfamiliar with them, may need decoding. Read Anna McGrail’s blog to discover more about cemetery symbolism.
Film review – We Live in Time
Released in UK cinemas earlier this month, We Live in Time stars Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in a romantic comedy-drama that explores love, life and loss. In her latest blog for Part of Life, Amy Jackson reviews the film, looking at the emotional themes involved and how they are portrayed and the important questions it raises about mortality and memory.