2021 Dying to Know day events page
Welcome! You’ll be able to find a mixture of events and gatherings, some from the GroundSwell Project and others from communities around Australia who want you to know about their event. Some events will be online (via zoom or other platforms), many will be in person again (pending COVID restrictions). We will be showcasing many events so stay tuned to our Facebook page.
We always encourage events to be held anytime during August and it’s also okay if you decide to hold your event during any other month. Please register your event so we know what’s happening around the country.
It’s important to note that The GroundSwell Project does not endorse or represent all the events you find here, these are events designed by the community, and The GroundSwell Project recommends you attend based on your own judgement..
Covid information and Update as at Thursday 22 July
As we near the month of Dying to Know Day it’s important that everyone continues to monitor the ever-changing landscape of restrictions in place. Whether you are hosting an event or attending an event, please be sure you understand current conditions and restrictions relevant to your location via the Australian Government Dept of Health website.
Events are being held through to the end of the year to accommodate the uncertainty of restrictions happening State to State. If you would like support to convert your event from face to face to online (virtual) please just reach out to our campaign manager. via cherelle@thegroundswellproject.com.
Check out our events below.
We have many communities in the process of organising events throughout the year. We will be updating the events page most days.
Whether your event is public for others to attend, or you simply want to share what you’re doing, you decide if you want it posted or not, click on the link to the left and we can add it to our events page or simply record it on our events register.
The Grief Cocoon Open Mic
Share your stories on life, grief, and loss at an intimate open mic.
The Grief Cocoon is hosting an intimate open mic to share and listen to stories on life, grief, and loss . Bring a story, a song, a poem to share, or simply a listening ear.
There will be time to connect with others and share something about the lives you've been touched by, the grief that followed, or the general experience of loss.
This is for you if:
You're grieving a loss
You would like to make space and time to acknowledge your grief and meet others who want to do the same
You would like people to hear the story you have to share related to your loss
You would like to support those who are grieving by being a witness to their stories
You would like to have a better understanding of the experience of grief and how it impacts the lives of those who experience it
It will be a welcoming space, so there's no need to worry if you're coming alone. You'll be greeted with a warm smile and some chocolate too.
Details:
Thursday 05 Aug | 7pm (for a 7:30pm start).
Free entry for those who want to be part of the open mic
$15 for listeners
Please email thegriefcocoon@gmail.com with your name and the type of story (i.e. poem, song, prose, etc) you'd like to share as part of the open mic.
There will be a limit of 7 minutes to make sure there is time for everyone who wants to share something.
If you have any access requirements or questions, please email thegriefcocoon@gmail.com or contact Gabriela on 0412 083 202.
This event is proudly supported by Arts Gen and Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Book your ticket here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-grief-cocoon-open-mic-tickets-163021472613
Dying to Know Day 2021 (Community event)
A free community forum to discuss, plan and improve your knowledge of choices at end of life.
About this event
Please join us at a free online webinar to improve your knowledge of choices and services at end of life.
• Hear from our keynote speaker about palliative care and what happens as we die
• Ask our panel of experts your questions
• Link to information about government and community agencies who can support you
It might just be the most important information you've never heard…
Please note this event is now online only due to COVID.
For more information phone Health Care Consumers' Association on 6230 7800 or email reps@hcca.org.au
Hosts: Health Care Consumers’ Association, with support from Canberra Health Services and the ACT Health Directorate.
2021 The Association of Independent Funeral Professionals e-conference
The Association of Independent Funeral Professionals | Strategy and Execution | Evolving Perspectives | Adapting to a changing world
If 2021 has taught us anything is that change, truly rapid change can happen on a global scale in the time it takes to fly from one country to another on the opposite side of the globe. All the things we have previously taken for granted – not even been aware of – as we go about our daily lives have changed. It would be a challenge to find anyone who has not, in any way, been affected by what COVID-19 has brought with it as it spread across the globe. And with these changing circumstances, so too the AIFP must change and evolve. This year’s conference will be online this year. Sessions will be held on different days across an innovative e-conferencing platform. This year’s theme Evolving Perspectives …adapting to a changing world is a response to what we’ve seen this year and what we want to see moving forward into whatever arrives. The more we are able to be adaptable, flexible, innovative, and responsive in these rapidly changing times the more likely we are to feel optimistic about the future and be able to make a difference to all those we connect within our daily lives.
Register here https://aifp.org.au/Conference-2021
Death Cafe by the Bay - Virtual
Virtual Death Café – an open and relaxed way to engage in organically discussing anything and everything related to death and dying. No agenda. And it’s free! RSVP through Eventbrite and Jacqui will send you a Zoom meeting link before the event.
Feed me to the roses with Hayley West
Join death literacy advocate Hayley West for a frank but fun information session and discussion on environmentally conscious body disposal methods, including natural burial, human composting and water cremation. Hayley is also an artist, a member of the Natural Death Advocacy Network, is on the Castlemaine Cemetery Trust and hosts death cafes.
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/feed-me-to-the-roses-tickets-157752320437
The Celebrants Network Dying to Know Day Awareness session
A zoom meeting of members to discuss Dying to Know Day and helping the communities we work in to speak more freely about death and dying. We are also using our social network pages to promote Dying to Know Day and its important messages.
Members register online on our website www.celebrants.org.au
Setting with the sun
This event is an opportunity for people to discuss death, dying, and end of life planning. There will be information sessions and workshops including an advance care planning workshop. You can find out more about what we do here
Dying to Know with Matt Kwoka
"Dying to Know Day" is about opening up the conversations about the one thing we all have in common - death.
Join Matt Kwoka who has been in the funeral industry for more than 15 years. Ask him what you have always wanted to know but are too afraid to ask.
Matt will also share some interesting statistics found when he surveyed people all over Australia about their feelings about death and dying.
Click on the link below to register and let Southern Cross Funerals know you will be there:
Lockdown blues for Dying to Know Day? No problem - the end of life expert will come to you! Ask an expert about end of life and planning
A chance to ask end of life consultant, educator and doula Dr Annetta Mallon your questions about advance planning documents, how to have the important conversations, rights and choices at end of life, what different terms in end of life care and planning mean, and how to begin setting up your own planning in the right way. As part of the death positive movement, and in light of the current COVID lockdowns, this event is fully online via Zoom. Tickets via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/165380093311
In Conversation with Lisa Herbert, author of "The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan"
Do you know that around 50% of Australians and New Zealanders die without a valid will? Have you had a conversation about death with your loved ones? Do they know your wishes for your funeral, and do you know theirs?
Lisa Herbert is the latest guest speaker in OpusXenta’s ‘In Conversation with’ series of webinars. Lisa Herbert is a death literacy advocate, cemetery wanderer, journalist, and author of the funeral planning guide "The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan",
Lisa will be talking to us about getting that conversation started and the importance of planning for the inevitable.
Register your interest in joining us for In Conversation with Lisa Herbert.
Conversations about death
H.Parsons is creating a welcoming space for people to have conversations about death.
Join us via zoom and learn from our industry experts while enjoying friendly conversation and community support
We’ll be hearing from:
RSPCA - the roles pets play in end of life care
Compassionate Communities and death cafes
NSW Trustees and Guardianships - what you need to know about preparing wills, enduring guardianships, and other necessary topics.
Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra – Discussions around Advanced Care Planning.
·H.Parsons funeral industry experts – Q&A .
This event will be in a friendly and welcoming online environment with questions and discussion encouraged.
Please RSVP by Wednesday 4 August via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dying-to-know-day-tickets-161573612023?fbclid=IwAR0VA2gL49BAXa5L6frLRC5H9_tMDLdeAEby6WBJkEyhMuv4wqzqfIobpA8
Beyond the Basics: A practical guide to grief
Sydney Grief Counselling: In this live, online information session two Specialist Grief Counsellors, Wendy Liu and Nathan MacArthur, will answer your questions and provide practical strategies to help you manage your own grief and help others who are grieving. This session will cover a range of topics including: what are the impacts of grief? how long does grief last? how do children grieve and how can I support a child who is grieving? what are the specific challenges faced by people after the death of a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling, friend, or another relative? what strategies will help me to cope as well as possible? There will also be a live Q and A. A recording of this webinar will be made available to anyone who registers to attend. People who attended previous sessions said: "The subject of grief is not something that's widely taught or spoken about. I can't believe how much I learned in that one session alone." "It was so well structured, and the presenters so empathetic. I feel it covered my feelings since my son died." "Grief is a huge topic to cover and the way that it was broken down made it feel digestible and understandable. The session was very informative and my wife and I found it useful and beneficial."
To register go to: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/beyond-the-basics-a-practical-guide-to-grief-tickets-158696985957