By learning more about death, our mortality, and ways to say goodbye, the inevitable becomes less confronting. Written by Australian journalist Lisa Herbert, this blog aims to reveal interesting, informative, and sometimes fascinating facts and thoughts about end-of-life planning.
So put on some comfy shoes as we explore cemeteries, the world of funerals, and death and dying.
A report into Australian consumer perceptions and experiences of funerals reveals that we want to honour our loved one’s wishes, but individually we don’t make detailed plans for the people we leave behind.
Guest blogger and family historian Daryn Sibley writes about finding his 4x grandfather’s grave in a cemetery that was being sold.
The sites of Wolston Park Mental Hospital’s forgotten cemeteries have been included on the Queensland Heritage Register.
2021 was a big year for the Australian funeral industry and many of the developments didn’t get the attention they deserved. Several funeral companies were fined for misleading behaviour and states held mirrors to their funeral regulation. The consumer watchdog also released a report into the funeral sector, identifying pricing and transparency issues.
A spotlight was shone on Australia’s funeral industry in 2021, but much of the hard work flew under the radar. Several Australian looked at the regulation of the industry and improving consumer outcomes.
Few cemeteries don’t tell of a typhoid history. Very prevalent in the late 1890s, thankfully vaccination and improved sanitation means that typhoid is rare in developed countries. But the evidence of its aftermath remains etched in stone in our cemeteries.
When Ken Roberts was invited to a friend’s memorial party, he didn’t know what to wear. “There was plenty of food and drink and time to reflect and chat. I was amazed that three hours passed so very quickly. I thought it was a lovely, relaxed and genuine way to honour her life.”
In a small central Gippsland town, pull-down blind was used to protect a grieving mother from the sight of the names of her four sons who made the supreme sacrifice.
“When my sister died, I needed the ability to sit in my car alone, or under my blankets and watch her photo tribute, listen to her favourite songs and have a good old cry because I missed her. That is one of the reasons KeepAR exists.”
