Death Cafes explained: What to expect and why you should attend one
It’s no secret that death is a topic many of us avoid talking about. If you’re not sure where to start, a good place to begin can be your nearest death cafe. To someone who is perhaps reluctant to face their own mortality, or who simply sees death as a scary or depressing topic, the idea of a death cafe may not seem appealing. However, I can confirm that’s not the case – in fact, it’s actually a very uplifting experience.
Comedy and grief: Finding laughter in life’s darkest moments
For some of us, comedy can be a lifeline through life’s darkest moments. It could be in the form of books, podcasts, films, stand-up, or a much-loved sitcom. For guest blogger, Amy Jackson, stand-up comedy has been a love of hers since her teens, with her earliest favourites being the likes of Lee Evans and Russell Howard. In this blog, Amy explores the relationship between death and comedy, and why we use humour to cope with grief.
World Suicide Prevention Day: combating the stigma of suicide
Every year on 10 September, people around the world mark World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide remains a significant public health issue in the UK. Recent figures show that more than 7,000 people died by suicide across the UK in 2024, with men accounting for around three-quarters of those deaths. “Everything got on top of me and I tried to kill myself. I thought my kids would be better off without me." Brian, 50.
More than “just a pet” - Why pet grief deserves to be taken seriously
Death is a part of life, not just for humans, but for animals too. To mark National Pet Day 2026, guest blogger, Amy Jackson asks why the death of a pet is so often overlooked. We’re quick to talk about how there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and how there is no such thing as a grief ‘hierarchy,’ but when it comes to the loss of a pet, those views can quickly change.
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.
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.
Grief Journaling
For Mental Health Awareness Week, Amy Jackson shares her personal experience and top tips for Grief Journaling.
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 – International Children’s 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 International Children’s Book Day on 2 April, Part of Life explores some of the most popular children’s books on death, dying and grief.
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.
Grief support
We have pulled together a list of grief and bereavement resources that you can turn to when you need support and to find some calm and solace.
National Grief Awareness Week 2024: Six Ways to Support Someone Who is Grieving
The 2nd to 8th of December marks National Grief Awareness Week 2024. We spoke to Part of Life guest blogger, Amy Jackson, about how best to offer support to someone who is grieving.
The Grief Self-Care Guide
To mark National Self-Care Week, we asked guest blogger, Amy Jackson, for her tips on how she took care of herself after experiencing a number of bereavements. Her Grief Self Care Guide provides simple and accessible tips to help adjust to life without loved ones and to improve wellbeing.
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.
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.
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.
Beth Nielsen-Chapman Interview
On grief, mortality and the power of music to heal.