Rebecca Lyons: Advocating for Home Funerals and Family-Centric Death Care

You’ve probably heard of the term ‘doula’ before, often used in the context of those who support birthing mothers. But do you understand the role of a death doula?In this episode, we demystify the often misunderstood role of an end of life doula, a role that Rebecca Lyons embodies with passion and dedication.Rebecca shares her personal journey that led her into the funeral industry and eventually to her current role as a doula and independent funeral director.Learn about the broad and diverse responsibilities of a doula, from practical logistics to the deeply emotional 'heart work'.Hear about Rebecca's experiences and challenges whilst advocating for a more personalised and family-centric approach to death care.Be inspired by Rebecca's commitment to raising death literacy and promoting open conversations about end-of-life matters.In this episode, we explore the invaluable role of a doula, delve into the importance of clear communication amongst the care team, and discuss the concept of 'home funerals'. We also touch on Rebecca's work as an independent funeral director and her efforts to reimagine what a funeral can be.Tune in to hear Rebecca's unique perspective on dying and death, and be prepared to view end-of-life care in a whole new light. Key Talking Points:The Role of an End-of-Life DoulaThe Importance of Communication in End-of-Life CareUnderstanding 'Home Funerals'Rebecca's Work as an Independent Funeral DirectorRaising Death Literacy and Promoting Open Conversations Mentioned Resources:Zenith Virago, Deathwalker Training https://www.zenithvirago.com/deathwalker-trainingNDAN - Natural Death Advocacy NetworkAustralian Home Funeral Alliancehttps://preparingtheway.com.au/https://www.deniselove.net/Bec’s TED Talk - https://youtu.be/_oQz_8v52a0?si=IEIycmfKtZ42DRF_Libby Maloney - https://naturalgrace.com.au/Dr Pia Interlandi - https://www.piainterlandi.com/garments-for-the-grave/Dr Kerry Noonan - https://www.deathliteracy.institute/kerrie-noonanDr. Alan Kellehear Dr.Julian Abel and Helen Kingston - https://compassionate-communitiesuk.com/our-team/The Compassion Project. A Case for Hope & Humankindness from the Town That Beat Lonelinesshttps://bjgp.org/content/70/701/605Geeveston Public Cemetery - https://www.geevestonpubliccemetery.com.au/ Don't forget to follow and leave a review if this episode resonates with you. Your support helps us continue these meaningful conversations.Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care,Catherine 🌟We'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/