Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer

In “Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer,” Ruby sits down with funeral director and celebrant Michelle Dwyer from Dwyer Family Funerals to unpack what dignity after death really looks like – especially for survivors of sexual trauma.Together, they explore how language, boundaries and respectful body care can transform funeral practice from something clinical and cold into something deeply humane, safe and family-centred.Michelle shares how her family-run funeral home focuses on empathy rather than profit, why the words “we’re bringing them into our care” matter so much, and how trauma-informed funeral directors can support anxious families who fear their loved one being mishandled. She also explains what actually happens in the mortuary, common myths about embalming, and practical ways we can advocate for ourselves and our loved ones in end-of-life planning.If you’ve ever worried about how your body – or your loved one’s body – will be treated after death, this gentle, grounded conversation offers validation, clear information and real-world tools to ask for the care you deserve.We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts!LinkDwyer Family Funerals: Website and InfoTBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: [email protected]: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!)(Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.