We believe it’s time for a more open conversation about death, dying and funerals.
In this blog, we give practical advice and ideas to help you if you are arranging a funeral or experiencing bereavement; answer your frequently asked questions/FAQs; and share stories, interviews and opinions.
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Have you ever considered choosing a natural burial ground? Natural burial grounds gently return people to the earth without using embalming or non-biodegradable coffins. They’re usually found in green spaces like forests, meadows or parkland. Natural burial grounds can be absolutely stunning and are a brilliant choice if you’re planning an environmentally-friendly funeral. There are so many wonderful options to choose from, but here are some of our favourites.
Aindriú Peers used to work as a practical lead here at Poppy’s, driving hearses, helping at burials and collecting people who have died from homes and hospitals. He’s also an author, teaches Shamanic Druidry and is a former Trappist monk. Aindriú explains his path from punk to monk to working in death care.
Women have played a hugely important role in the history of how we care for people who are dead or dying. It’s time to celebrate their work, from the pioneers of the hospice movement to the doctors and inventors changing how we think about death and dying today.
Aaron Thackray and Neil Wilford run our beautiful mortuary here at Poppy’s. Mortuary work can be shrouded in secrecy, but we believe that openness should be normal. In this interview, Aaron and Neil share their thoughts on gentle death care.
Kate Ward is a palliative care nurse specialist and works as part of a team at Royal Trinity Hospice. She talks to us about palliative care, visiting Poppy’s with her colleagues and why deciding what your death should look like is too important to leave to other people.
During a pandemic it can be easy to feel like we need less awareness of dying, not more. While it’s completely understandable to need a break from the news, Covid-19 has shown why it’s so important to talk openly about death. Being able to share what we think and feel has an effect on everything from our collective mental health to how we care for people who have died.