How My Sister’s Death at Four Shaped My Life

What happens when death touches your family before you even understand what it means?In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with funeral celebrant Leonie Fletcher Adams, whose life was profoundly shaped when her sister died at just four years old. That childhood loss not only shaped her family but also planted the seed for a lifelong journey of spirituality, honesty, and connection.Leonie shares her path from nursing and acting to becoming a funeral celebrant, weaving in her belief in spiritual guides, the importance of rituals, and why every funeral deserves to be an honest reflection of the person who has died. We talk about how grief is often unacknowledged in siblings, why including children in funerals matters, and how simple touches — like jellybeans in the cupboard or roses from the garden — can make ceremonies deeply personal.This isn’t just about organising funerals. It’s about truth, spirituality, and finding ways to honour life while facing the reality of death. Leonie’s insights are raw, deeply human, and grounded in decades of experience with families at their most vulnerable.In this episode, we cover:How losing her sister as a child shaped Leonie’s family and her life’s purposeThe role of spirituality and spiritual guides in navigating grief and creating funeralsWhy honesty is central to meaningful end-of-life ritualsHow rituals, music, and personal touches create space for healingThe challenges of grief after the funeral is over — and why anniversaries matterThe importance of preparing funeral wishes as an act of love for those left behindRemember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineLeonie Fletcher Adams – Contact DetailsWebsite: www.spiritualfunerals.com.auWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/