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Choice at the end of life isn’t abstract—it’s practical, emotional, and shaped by real laws, real timelines, and real families. We sit down with VAD Care Navigator Laurie Draper to walk through how voluntary assisted dying works in Victoria, what the safeguards look like, and why so many people feel a profound sense of calm simply by unlocking the option. From the first assessment to the final permit, Laurie explains the steps and the four‑to‑six week path that leads to pharmacy readiness, all while keeping palliative care in the frame.

The conversation gets candid as we explore common fears—loss of control and dignity trumps pain for most—and the reality that roughly 35% who receive the medication never use it. Family dynamics surface too; what looks like resistance often masks grief as loved ones confront the immediacy of death.

Looking ahead, we unpack proposed Victorian reforms to potentially allow patients to choose their route of administration. Through it all, Laurie's perspective is grounded: people considering VAD aren’t choosing death; they’re already dying and seeking agency over the when and how. If you value honest language, person-centred care, and practical guidance at the end of life, this conversation offers clarity without judgment.

If this resonated, follow the show, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find clear, compassionate conversations about death, dignity, and choice.

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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What if flowers could tell a life story better than words? We sit down with funeral florist Jamie Shrouders of GrandiFlora to unpack how tribute flowers become anchors of meaning at the hardest moment.

Jamie traces her family’s journey from postwar Dutch growers to a Melbourne studio dedicated solely to funeral flowers. She shares how personalisation actually happens: casket sprays built from a loved one’s garden cuttings, or a delicate rainbow for a children accompanied by bubbles. 

This conversation is part practical guide, part love letter to quiet excellence in death care. You’ll hear tips that extend the tribute beyond the service, like inviting guests to take a flower home, and clear advice on caring for blooms without the myths.  Above all, Jamie’s purpose shines: earn trust, honour stories, and make the hard day a little more bearable with beauty that feels true.

If this resonates, follow the journey, share this with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help others find thoughtful conversations about death, grief, and the rituals that hold us. Subscribe for more candid, compassionate episodes and tell us: what object or bloom would tell your story?

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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Grief doesn’t arrive with instructions, and it rarely follows a neat timeline. We sit down with Liam, 14, and Toan, 22, to explore how losing a father at the age of eight years old, reshapes identity, school, friendships, and the rhythm of home. Their losses are different—motor neurone disease in one family, alcoholism in the other—but their insights echo: funerals make reality land, support matters most when it’s quiet and consistent, and rituals help turn pain into presence.

Liam opens up about watching his dad’s health fade, he shares unexpected good, too: a mentor who shows up for homework, steadies the house, and models how to grow. Toan reflects on consequence and choice, he draws strength from Catholic faith, gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices, and a firm principle for single mums and kids navigating grief: support, don’t smother; step up, don’t self-destruct.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or friend seeking better ways to help, you’ll find practical wisdom you can use today: offer space without disappearing, invite conversation without pressing, and build small routines that make healing possible. If you’re grieving, you’ll hear two voices that won’t rush you, reminding you that hope and adaptation can live alongside sorrow.

Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one insight you’re taking forward—we’d love to hear your perspective.

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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Death isn't a topic most of us eagerly discuss over dinner, yet Mark Sui, owner of Coffin and Casket Victoria, brings a refreshing perspective to this universal experience. His journey into the funeral industry wasn't planned—it began when his family migrated from Hong Kong and formed an unexpected partnership with an Italian stonemason. What started as building monuments evolved into supplying coffins, caskets, and funeral accessories across Australia.

Mark pulls back the shroud on industry misconceptions with candour and occasional humour. Ever wondered why caskets have split lids? The answer is refreshingly practical. Think cardboard coffins are environmentally friendly? Mark explains why that's largely marketing spin rather than reality. His insights challenge us to rethink what we've assumed about death care practices.

Perhaps most moving is Mark's long-standing partnership with the Rebecca Jane Foundation, where he donates coffins for babies whose families face financial hardship. This seven-year commitment reveals the human connections forged in an industry often perceived as morbid. As Mark reflects on emotional resilience and future innovations in memorialisation, his message becomes clear: without understanding what truly matters in honouring those we've lost, even the most advanced technologies remain empty gestures.

Have questions about death care you've always wondered but never dared to ask? Email [email protected], and your curiosities might shape future episodes of this illuminating podcast.

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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What happens when you die without a will? Who decides where your possessions go, who raises your children, or even what happens to your remains? The answers might surprise—and disturb—you.

Estate planning specialist Nadya Volishina joins Robyn O'Connell to pull back the curtain on what happens when we fail to plan for the inevitable. With alarming clarity, Nadia reveals that half of all Australians currently have no valid will, leaving their families vulnerable to painful disputes, unexpected costs, and outcomes that might directly contradict their wishes.

Through candid conversation, Nadia explains why even young people need wills and the importance of charitable bequests for creating meaningful legacies. Particularly moving is the exploration of how proper planning can prevent family conflicts during periods of grief—especially in blended families where competing interests can lead to painful disputes. As Nadia explains, estate planning isn't just about distributing assets—it's an act of love that provides clarity and guidance when your family needs it most.

Have questions about estate planning or other end-of-life topics? Email [email protected] to suggest future podcast topics or query the experts directly.

Nadya Voloshina:  [email protected]

Web:  respectwills.com.au 

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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Death appears in whispers and shadows throughout our lives, yet we rarely make space to truly understand it. In this enlightening conversation, Robyn O'Connell speaks with her nephew Luke O'Connell about his transformative journey as a hospice volunteer in Busselton, Western Australia.

Luke's path into end-of-life care began with personal experiences that subtly guided him toward this sacred space, what started as curiosity evolved into a calling that has fundamentally changed his outlook on life. 

Through Luke's thoughtful reflections, we discover hospice care extends far beyond our common perception as simply "the place people go to die." We learn about the comprehensive training volunteers receive, the variety of reasons patients enter hospice care, and the remarkable ways this work ripples through every aspect of a volunteer's life. 

Perhaps most striking are the universal lessons Luke has gleaned about what truly matters. "What I don't hear is anybody saying 'geez, I wish I worked harder and I wish I made more money and I wish I bought that extra jet ski,'" he observes about those nearing life's end. Instead, connections, relationships, and time spent with loved ones emerge as the real treasures we collect through our journey.

Whether you're curious about hospice care, contemplating volunteering, or simply seeking perspective on what matters most in life, Luke's insights offer a gentle invitation to approach death not with fear but with openness and compassion. As he says, "Death strips away social barriers - you get to see people as they really are, and it's beautiful."

Ready to explore your own relationship with mortality? Listen now and discover how embracing end-of-life conversations might just teach you how to live more fully.

Contact Luke:  

Busselton Hospice Care Inc:  https://busseltonhospicecareinc.org.au/

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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What does it truly mean to die with dignity? 

Behind the clinical terminology and medical frameworks lies a deeply human experience that most healthcare systems aren't equipped to honour. 

In this powerful conversation, Callie Watt takes us through her 31-year nursing odyssey from remote indigenous communities to emergency departments, and finally to founding Wattletree Health Group – a private nursing service determined to transform end-of-life care.

The reality Callie reveals is both sobering and hopeful. While 85% of people express wishes to die at home, our healthcare system remains structured around institutional endings. 

What makes this conversation truly exceptional is Callie's philosophy on authentic connection. Rather than the clinical detachment we often associate with healthcare providers, she advocates for genuine presence. This approach represents a profound shift from traditional models focused on efficiency rather than experience. 

Whether you're facing end-of-life decisions, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how we might better approach our final chapter, this episode offers vital insights into reclaiming death as a dignified, human-centered experience. Join us as we explore what it means to raise the standard of care when it matters most.

Callie Watt is the founder of Wattletree Health Group
Phone:  03  9140 0944
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://wattletreehealthgroup.com.au/

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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In this candid conversation, cemetery veteran Shane Freeman takes us inside his world as Senior Supervisor of Funeral Services at Lilydale Memorial Park.
With refreshing honesty and occasional humour, he walks us through the mechanics of cremation—addressing the questions most people are afraid to ask.  From the technical details to the emotional realities, Shane demystifies the process while maintaining the dignity it deserves.

Beyond the mechanics, this episode explores the deeper purpose of cemeteries as sacred spaces where grief finds expression without judgment.
The most powerful moments come when Shane reveals the personal toll and rewards of his work. Far from becoming desensitised, his emotion shows when discussing friends he's cremated, demonstrating how professionals in this field maintain their humanity while providing essential services. 

Whether you're curious about what happens after we die, seeking to understand the grief process, or simply fascinated by professions rarely discussed openly, this conversation will transform how you think about death and those who care for us in our final moments. 

Send your questions about death care to [email protected]—because talking about death won't kill you, but it might help you live better.

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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From the moment four-year-old Ellese Templeton announced to her aghast mum that she wanted to become a mortician, a remarkable journey began. Twenty years later, Ellese owns Templeton Family Funerals, a thriving boutique funeral home where perfection isn't just a goal—it's a calling.

Ellese's path was anything but conventional. Breaking into the male-dominated funeral industry as a young woman proved challenging, leading her to work night shifts handling coroner's transfers while maintaining a day job. With nothing but a sticker declaring her dream and unwavering family support, she launched her business, growing from 20 funerals in her first year to approximately 400 annually today.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Ellese's philosophy about creating the perfect farewell. Her meticulous attention to detail, like bowls of the deceased's favourite candy—stems from a profound respect for the families she serves. "I am their voice," she explains, describing how she protects grieving families while helping them navigate decisions they're often unprepared to make.

Join us for this candid conversation with a woman who has made it her life's work to perfect the art of saying goodbye. Whether you're curious about the funeral industry or seeking wisdom about life's most universal experience, Ellese's journey offers rare insights that will change how you think about death, dignity, and what constitutes the perfect farewell.

Contact Templeton Family Funerals:  (03) 9706 9555

[email protected] 

templetonfamilyfunerals.com.au

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.

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Jason Khune from Still Moments in Time reveals the art and impact of creating photo tributes for funeral services. This conversation explores how modern technology and thoughtful design transform personal photographs into meaningful visual memorials that celebrate a person's life journey.

From his Perth-based studio, Jason reveals the meticulous process behind each tribute – carefully editing photos, selecting complementary backgrounds, and synchronising meaningful music to create an emotional journey rather than just a chronological display. 

Whether you're planning a memorial service or simply interested in how technology is transforming how we remember loved ones, this episode offers both practical guidance and profound reflections on celebrating life's meaningful moments. What photos would tell your story?

Contact:  Jason Khune

Email:  [email protected]

www.stillmoments.net.au

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email [email protected] to have them answered in a future episode.