Bronwyn Law is a family advisor in the funeral industry, and today we explore the role of empathy in listening. Bronwyn deals with conversations at the end of people’s lives. This role has given her an extraordinary sense of empathy and lack of assumptions. She has to display absolute presence when helping families make the difficult decisions when emotions are high and people are vulnerable.  This was probably one of the most transformational interviews that I have been a part of.

Today’s Topics:

• Bronwyn shares how she does her job and creates space for people to decide what they would like to do.
• How Bronwyn knows the pain and depth of sadness of losing a loved one.
• Bronwyn shares her childhood and background and how she lost her brother when he was 15.
• Bronwyn also shares her cancer diagnoses when she was 14 and how it was a life changing experience that helped her mature.
• How Bronwyn became involved in the Make a Wish Foundation. She also shares her life changing experience in Nepal.
• How Bronwyn’s brother seemed to be doing well before his suicide.
• The role of silence and the questions that Bronwyn answers for people.
• The importance of not only listening to the words, but also understanding the meaning of the words as expressed by that person.
• Doing your best is the last thing you can do in the person’s honor.
• The balance between it being about the person and for yourself as well.
• How it is important to listen from a place of real genuine interest.
• The opportunity of hearing the story of what people have been through.
• Being present with people as they make necessary decisions to remember their loved one.
• How the death of a spouse after a long marriage of 50 plus years can be very emotional.
• Bronwyn is all four listening types. We can all be a lost listener when we are preoccupied. There is a real art to being present.
• Always take a deep breath before walking into a room and meeting with someone.
• The 5Rhythms dynamic movement process and Gabrielle Roth.
• How everything we do in life leaves a rhythm.
• Listening is not about you, it is all about the other person.
• The importance of building a connection, dropping assumptions, and being present and available.

Links and Resources:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia
• 5Rhythms Gabrielle Roth

Quotes:

“I can sit in a room with someone and be genuinely grateful that I am not in the spot that they are in.” Bronwyn Law

“What I enjoy about my job and what gives me satisfaction is creating space for people to consider what they would like to do.” Bronwyn Law

“When you meet with someone there are ways to communicate other than words.” Bronwyn Law

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