Demystifying Death Awards 2023

Demystifying Death Awards 2023

Good LIfe, Good Death, Good Grief is pleased to announce the shortlist for this year's Demystifying Death Awards.

The Awards recognise pioneering work that shines a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland.

The Awards are run by Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, a charity-led initiative working to make Scotland a place where people help each other through the difficult times that can come with death, dying, loss and care.

Rebecca Patterson, Director of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief said:

"Lots of people are dedicated to improving experiences of ill health, dying and bereavement in Scotland. Often, work is done behind the scenes, over a period of many years, with gradual impact. We really wanted to draw attention to some of this work, that often goes under the radar, but which is gradually changing culture and experiences of death, dying and bereavement in Scotland.

"There are six categories of awards, aiming to encompass the huge variety of contexts where people are making a difference: from people taking action to build more supportive communities, to those working to encourage forward-planning for declining health, to action being taken at a policy level to encourage system-wide change.

"We particularly wanted to recognise creative or innovative activities, and those working to increase understanding of death and dying among the general public. We also hope to highlight the important contribution that public figures can make, and are pleased to highlight the contribution of Janey Godley, Greg Wise and Cariad Lloyd through the Celebrity Champion category."

The Awards Shortlist has been announced in the run-up to Demystifying Death Week (1-7 May), which is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. All kinds of events are taking place during the week, including film screenings, talks, planning sessions, remembrance events, discussions, death cafes, author events and much more. A list of events here: Demystifying Death Week Events

Awards Shortlist

Inspiring Community Award

This award celebrates communities working to support each other through the difficult times that come with death, dying, loss and care. The shortlisted candidates are:

North Berwick Compassionate Community

Pushing up the Daisies

No-one dies alone Ayrshire

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Inspiring Community Award shortlist

Promoting Planning

This award recognises endeavours to encourage forward planning for declining health, dying and death, whether relating to practical, legal, financial or medical matters. The shortlisted candidates are:

The Daisy Chain by Pushing up the Daisies

ReSPECT in Scotland

NHS Greater Glasgow: Planning Your Care

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Promoting Planning Award shortlist

Creative Innovation

This award celebrates unusual, innovative or creative ways to promote knowledge and understanding around death, dying or bereavement. The shortlisted candidates are:

St Columba's Hospice Child and Family Service

University of Dundee Comic Studies Department

Dying in the Margins

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Creative Innovation Award shortlist

Progressive Policy

An award to recognise a campaign or policy that that will improve experiences of living with illness, dying or bereavement in Scotland. The shortlisted candidates are:

Childhood Bereavement Network: Cohabiting Parents and Bereavement Benefits

Social Security Scotland - Funeral Support Payment and BASRIS

Marie Curie No-one Should Die in Poverty Campaign

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Progressive Policy Award shortlist

Increasing Understanding

This award celebrates work that increases knowledge, skills or understanding relating to death, dying or bereavement among members of the public The shortlisted candidates are:

Faith in Older People

Good Grief Festival

Kathryn Mannix

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Increasing Understanding Award shortlist

Celebrity Champion

An award recognising an outstanding contribution made by a public figure towards raising awareness of living with serious illness, dying, death or bereavement. The shortlisted candidates are:

Janey Godley

Greg Wise

Cariad Lloyd

Read more about the shorlisted candidates here: Celebrity Champion Award shortlist

Blog series

You can read blogs by all the shortlisted candidates here: Demystifying Death Awards Blog

Winners

The winners will be announced During Demystifying Death Week, 1-7 May.