Death Rituals and Burial

20-02-2023 • 43 mins

Sean and Melanie are back, 20 years after first recording their university radio program, Taboo, committed to discussing controversial and difficult topics. In this new incarnation, they will revisit those topics and interview the same experts to see what topics remain off-limits and what we have learnt. Whether it is death, pornography or sexual assault, this fascinating series will explore how much our community, and the views of some of our passionate experts, has changed since 1999.

In episode two, we revisit the theme of our very first show in 1999 - death rituals and burial - with Rebecca Lyons. Bec is a Churchill fellow, End of life Doula, good-death advocate and educator. Bec is passionate about breaking down any taboo concerning death, and shares with us her incredible research on how Western society can learn more about reconnecting body preparation with death rituals and natural burial options. Her research can lead to not only more affordable funerals, but better ways of grieving and dealing with bereavement.

References

Rebecca's Churchill Fellowship - https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/rebecca-lyons-tas-2018/

More details about her book - https://yountaboo.com/a-heartfelt-undertaking/

Check out Bec's Ted Talk here - https://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_lyons_three_steps_into_the_heart_of_home_funeral

Follow Rebecca on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yountaboo/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_n_taboo/

The material referenced by Bec included:

You n' Taboo - https://yountaboo.com/

Australian Home Funerals Alliance - https://www.ahfa.org.au/

Dying to know Day - https://www.dyingtoknowday.com/

Kerrie Noonan's work - https://www.deathliteracy.institute/kerrie-noonan

Tender funerals - https://tenderfunerals.com.au/

Natural Death Advocacy Network - https://ndan.com.au/