Demystifying Death Week

Death, Dying and Bereavement in Times of Covid19

7pm-9pm, Wednesday 12 May on Zoom.

Organised by Alison Shannon (Cardiac Intensive Care Nurse) and Fiona Beeley (Independent Professional Celebrant)

Mother and daughter Fiona Beeley and Alison Shannon regularly have discussions on topics surrounding death and dying because they work in professions where they deal with the emotional impacts and practical procedures that accompany a death in Scotland. Whilst they are aware that any death is traumatic for a person and those close to them, they firmly believe that as a society we should be discussing the topic of death freely. #DemystifyingDeath Week provides an opportunity to have these conversations and explore the options open to everyone at the end of life.

Programme

• Introductions and Icebreaker
• What happens if someone is dying in hospital? Presentation by Alison Shannon followed by questions.
• Film: Keeping in touch when you can’t be with someone who is so ill they might die. This gives suggestions on how to support someone in hospital when you are unable to see them. Followed by discussion.
• How do you plan a fitting funeral ? Presentation by Fiona Beeley followed by questions.
• Final thoughts from participants and close.

Your hosts will be:

Alison Shannon

Alison is a Cardiac Intensive Care Nurse, she has direct experience of end of life care: looking after and supporting patients and their families. In the last year she has had to adapt the end of life care to fit in with Covid 19 restrictions. During her short presentation she will attempt to demystify and answer questions on the subject of what could happen if you or a loved one were facing the prospect of dying in hospital. She will answer questions after her talk.

Fiona Beeley

Fiona is an Independent Professional Celebrant she works with families following the death of a loved one to - plan, write and deliver funerals and memorials to remember, the person, celebrate their lives and console these who are left to grieve. Her presentation will focus on the impact the Covid 19 pandemic has had and continues to have on funeral services and the grieving process for families. She will be open to questions and discussion after her presentation.

If you wish to look a place at this event please contact Fiona Beeley: celebrant@fiona-beeley.com and she will send you the details for the Zoom link to the meeting.

Planning Ahead

Organised by Kilbryde Hospice. 7pm, Wednesday 12 May.

Making plans when healthy about your life means there is less to think about should you become ill. It not only provides you with reassurance that the things most important to you are known, but also helps your nearest and dearest know what you want.

There are many ways to do this and if you are interested in learning or have questions you need clarified, then please join us on the 12th May where we can help to demystify planning ahead.

Sign up here: Planning Ahead

Death Cafe

Thursday 13 May, 7pm, online. Organised by No-one Dies Alone Ayrshire.

Join people from No-one Dies Alone Ayrshire for an evening of deep listening and discussion on death and dying. "Grab a cuppa and some cake and lets converse."

Book your tickets here: Eventbrite.

Truacanta Death Club

Organised by the Truacanta Project.

Thursday 13th May, 7pm - 8.30pm.

Are you particularly interested in exploring issues relating to death, dying and bereavement? Or you'd like to join in these conversations but don't quite know how to start? Join the Truacanta Death Club!

Every few weeks the Truacanta Death Club will get together online, with a cup of tea and a biscuit and our reflections on something we've read, watched or listened to. Whether that's a book, a TV programme, an article or a podcast, there will be a connection to themes of death, dying, loss and care. It's free to join, the groups will be small and discussion informal.

For our first ever Truacanta Death Club, we'll start off chatting about Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden, a combination of allegory, poetry and prose that has been described as "A fantastically imaginative story about life, death and everything in between," and "A rhythmic and powerful poetic meditation on death, life and love and the hidden mys-teries of the universe." We hope that folk will bring their own reflections on the book and the themes of death and dying; our discussion will flow from there.

More information is available here: Truacanta Death Club Tickets