A Practical Guide to Death

Katrina Taee, end of life doula, former counsellor and co-writer of Surviving the Tsunami of Grief returns to talk to writer Rochi Rampal about the experience of being alongside someone as they die. As an end of life doula Katrina draws on her professional experience of supporting individuals and their families through death.

Unable to reconcile the contradictions and intensities, two post-death voices from within offer different reflections on the process of dying. Still wedded to a belief in meditation and affirmations Casey wants to hold on to the positive and let go of the struggle. Alethea, on the other hand, wants to debunk the myths and hold on to the reality.

Writer Annie Siddons is joined by Katrina Taee, a former nurse, counsellor, end of life doula and co-writer of the book Surviving the Tsunami of Grief. They talk about the complex grief of losing a parent when the relationship with that parent has been troubled and complicated by alcoholism or other factors.

Academic and scientist Shonagh has been asked by a collegue at the lab to record a podcast to encourage women to get into STEM. At home in her flat at the end of a sleepless night she reluctantly presses record. As she does her best to stick to the brief, a series of strange events disrupt the process and threaten to overwhelm her.

Writer Leah Chillery talks to Caroline Dent, an end of life doula and specialist in Thanatophobia (fear of death). They have a frank and honest conversation about their experiences of OCD and other mental health challenges which may have a link to a fear of death. Their chat explores their childhood fears and their fascinating pathways towards a deeper self-understanding.

Eileen’s life has been a catalogue of fads, phases and obsessions on a quest to ‘fix herself’. It’s been a rollercoaster ride that’s sometimes exhilarating but mostly exhausting. In spite of her determination to keep going, the voices in Eileen’s head just won’t let up. On a trip to tend her Mum’s grave, she decides to stop fighting them and start listening.

Exploding the myths and mysteries about grief and counselling.

Grieving for his late wife but wanting to honour her requested funeral arrangements, Nyasha arrives at a café for a meeting. Resistant to the details of the transaction with the woman he has come to meet, he struggles with his feelings until they find an unexpected moment of connection.

Writer Amanda Whittington chats to Anatomical Pathology Technologist Kirsty Bullen who was the inspiration for her play, Alice.

As she passes suddenly and unexpectedly out of life, Laura peacefully observes events as they unfold. She finds herself in the capable care of Alice, a mortuary technician whose working world is unlike anything Laura has seen before.

Kate and Pippa introduce the podcast.