Demystifying Death Week 2025
Taking place across Scotland from 5-11 May, Demystifying Death Week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. We are encouraging people to get involved by holding in-person and online events that bring death, dying and bereavement into the limelight.
Below is a list of events registered so far - these pages will be updated over the coming weeks. If you are organising an event that you’d like us to feature, please get in touch.
Dia De Los Muertos
Organised by Newtongrange Community Garden
Monday 5 May, 12 noon - 2pm
Newtongrange Community Garden, Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4PG
This event is open to the public. Advance booking is required. This event is free but donations are accepted.
Join us at the Community Garden for a vibrant Dia De Los Muertos celebration on Cinco de Mayo! As part of Demystifying Death Week, we’re coming together to honour and celebrate the lives of loved ones we’ve lost. Bring along a cherished photo and craft a special frame to hang on our beautiful ofrenda tree.
Wear your brightest colours, enjoy delicious food, and soak up the outdoors as we share memories, laughter, and joy. Let’s celebrate life together in a warm, welcoming atmosphere—everyone is invited!
Book your place here.
Image credit: Newtongrange Community Garden
Demystifying Death in Moray
Organised by Health & Social Care Moray
Monday 5 May, 10am-4pm
Elgin Ex-servicemen’s Club, 9 High Street IV30 1EQ
This event is open to the public. Please book in advance
Join Health & Social Care Moray for a friendly, informative day exploring practical and emotional aspects of death, dying and bereavement.
Come for the full day or for the sessions that interest you.
Refreshments provided. Bring your own lunch.
Schedule:
10:15am - EASE (End of Life Aid Skills of Everyone) Taster Session with Kate Clark of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief
11:30am - Wills and Power of Attorney with Allan, Black & McCaskie solicitors
1:30pm - Planning a Funeral with Graham J. Rattray funeral directors
2:45pm - Bereavement Support with Elizabeth Harley of Cruse Bereavement Support.
We will be displaying the It Take A Village exhibition for the public to view.
This event is supported by a Demystifying Death Week small grant.
Find out more and book your free place here.
Image credit: Health & Social Care Moray
Let’s Talk About…Organ Donation
Organised by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
Monday 5th May 2025, 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Taking place online (MS Teams).
This event is open to the public. Booking in advance is required.
Did you know that there are around 500 people each year waiting on a transplant, but only about 1% of people die in the rare circumstances where organ and tissue donation may be able to go ahead? This means that every opportunity for donation is very precious!
Come and hear from the experts working in NHSGGC who are coordinating this life-saving treatment. We will be busting myths surrounding the process, and hearing just what difference an organ transplant can make to someone and the people they love.
This session is in partnership with the NHSGGC Organ Donation Team
More information: https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/planning-for-care/events/
Register: https://link.webropol.com/ep/DDWOD050525
Photo credit: César Badilla Miranda on Unsplash
Demystifying Death Week Sessions
Organised by Make 2nds Count
5-11 May
Online
These sessions are open to the public. Please book in advance.
As part of Demystifying Death Week (and Dying Matters Week in England and Wales), Make 2nds Count are shining a light on the importance of talking about death, dying, and planning ahead — with honesty, compassion, and support.
Throughout the week of 5 - 11 May we’ll be sharing helpful content on our website including:
- Planning your final wishes with Kirstie Scott aka The Death Planner
- Registering a death - what to expect
- The Role of End of Life Doulas
- A special talk on understanding palliative care with Dr Daniel Monnery
PLUS, we’re giving away copies of ‘The Death Book’, a practical and thoughtful guide to help you plan and record your wishes.
Flower Power – remembering those we miss
In partnership with Battlefield Community Project and Curious Mortals.
Sunday 4th May 2025, 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Taking place at Battlefield Community Garden, corner of Arundel Drive and Ledard Road, Battlefield, Glasgow, G42 9RE
This activity is open to the public.
Come along to our FREE workshop in the Southside of Glasgow!
Nature gives us a great opportunity to reflect and remember, especially when we can see seasons change and plants die, only to spring up again as the days grow longer and the sun comes out.
Join us in the garden to make seed-bombs, paint stones and make thyme wreaths as tokens of remembrance, whilst also giving us a great opportunity to chat about all things death and dying.
We want everyone to come together and share stories and memories of the people we miss, so bring along your mum, dad, gran, grandpa, aunts and uncles – everyone is welcome!
We will be outside so make sure to wear appropriate clothes for whatever the weather may have in store for us!
This activity is supported by a Demystifying Death Week small grant.
More information: https://curiousmortals.co.uk/past-and-future-events
There is no need to register, you can just come on the day.
Photo credit: Jenny Watt
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