While the spectre of death has loomed over all our lives during this pandemic, the topic remains one of the hardest to talk about, both in polite and private conversation.

In this podcast episode, Kylie Pentelow talks to Jane Murray from Marie Curie and the charity's ambassador Jim Carter, the actor best known for his role as Carson from Downton Abbey, about how to sensitively break this taboo.

All three share examples of what to say and not say to someone who is grieving, the most appropriate offer of help, plus how to approach practical topics life funeral plans before it's too late.

Finally, Jim describes his own experiences of losing his parents at very different ages and the impact talking - and not talking - about their deaths had on his and his sibling's lives.