Demystifying Death Week 2026
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.
Demystifying Death Week takes place across Scotland from 4-10 May 2026. If you are organising an event that you’d like us to feature, please get in touch.
Below is a list of events happening across Scotland and online for Demystifying Death Week:
Humanist Book Group (Online): With the End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix
Organised by Humanist Society Scotland
Tuesday 5 May, 7:30-8:30pm
Online via Zoom
This event is open to the public. Please register in advance.
For Demystifying Death Week we’ll be discussing Kathryn Mannix’s book With the End in Mind on Tuesday 5th May at 7.30pm online.
An unprecedented book by palliative medicine pioneer Dr Kathryn Mannix exploring the biggest taboo in our society and the only certainty we all share, With the End in Mind is described as “illuminating and beautiful” by Cathy Rentzenbrink in The Times.
Told through a series of beautifully crafted stories taken from nearly four decades of clinical practice, Mannix’s book answers the most intimate questions about the process of dying with touching honesty and humanity. She makes a compelling case for the therapeutic power of approaching death not with trepidation but with openness, clarity, and understanding.
Our Book Group is drop-in friendly, attendance is flexible, and you join-in when you choose to, no guilt.
We aim to center the experience around relaxed and informal discussion, themes, and community. We value open dialogue, diverse viewpoints, and thoughtful exploration.
Enjoy lively conversation, and a Zoom room full of people who care about ideas, ethics, and being human in the world.
Kindly facilitated by our volunteer book group facilitators Gillian, Jenny, and Shelley.
We would like to foster a respectful and brave online space, where everyone feels welcome. We ask participants to be open to different interpretations and life experiences, and to listen actively with curiosity.
Find out more and book your place here.
Tour and Q&A - East Lothian Crematorium & Memorial Gardens
Organised by St Columba’s Hospice Care - Compassionate Communities Team
Tuesday 5th May 2026
East Lothian Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Musselburgh
This event is for St Columba’s staff and volunteers
Staff and volunteers from the Compassionate Neighbours & Gardeners team at St Columba’s Hospice Care are invited on a visit to the beautiful new East Lothian Crematorium & Memorial Gardens in Musselburgh. There will be a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the crematorium and gardens, with opportunities to ask questions from the staff there.
It Takes a Village: Stow
Organised by Tina Cunningham, NHS Borders
4-10 May 2026
Stow
These activities are for the community of Stow.
There will be a range of information and events in the village of Stow in honour of Demystifying Death Week, including information leaflets and the It Takes a Village photo exhibition.
Organiser Tina Cunningham works with NHS Borders as an assistant practice educator for palliative care. Tina is keen to promote a more compassionate community in Stow, and this week is the ideal opportunity to get started. These activities will be taking place with the hope of providing safe spaces for discussions and support.
Photo credit: Colin Gray
Changing the Conversation Around Death and Dying
Organised by North Berwick Coastal Community Connections
4 May, 11am-1pm
St Columba’s Cafe, North Berwick
This event is open to the public.
A Death Café is a space where people can come to talk about death in small café style groups. There is no set agenda - just an invitation to listen and talk together.
It is widely recognised that as a society we may hold back from conversations about death, dying and grief for a myriad of reasons. Yet, when people enter into discussions about subjects, they often say , ‘everyone needs to do this.’
At community connections we are keen to help create a community confident to discuss death, dying and bereavement. As part of Demystifying Death Week we are holding our own Death Café.
We would love you to join us.
Leith Walk Police Box Info Stall
Organised by Leith Walk Police Box
Monday 4 May 2026, 16:00 - 18:00
Leith Walk Police Box, Croall Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH7 4LT
This info stall is in a public area.
It happens to all of us.
Demystifying Death Week is about how to start conversations about grief and dying. At the stall we have information leaflets covering useful tips for how to get difficult conversations started, how to provide support to someone who has been bereaved, and where to go for more information about planning ahead. Please note that info stall attendants are not trained therapists or counsellors.
By having conversations about death we can make the most of living our lives to the full.
Drop in, all welcome.
RSS