Answering the difficult questions

THE Dying to Ask 2025 series has commenced at Heathcote Community House.

The monthly sessions are facilitated by Amanda Collins and arose out of her own experiences supporting loved family members through their own deaths, combined with her subsequent training as a death doula.

“I want to help people find a way to talk about the things we feel are un-discussable,” said Ms Collins.

“It’s wired into our brains that if we don’t have a way to talk about something, it’s a lot harder to make plans or even demystify it.

“I want people to be able to ask the questions they need to around death and dying, without feeling like they might be about to risk killing someone in the process.

“There are a lot of superstitions around death and dying, and talking about it can feel very dangerous to even talk about it.”

In a Dying to Ask session, a wide range of topics are covered.

“I tell participants about everything from the supports available for someone who wants to die at home, to, how can we help make someone’s last few days on earth more gentle, more dignified and more comfortable,” said Ms Collins.

“We discuss alternatives to the norms we see in the movies, and better ways to live our last days than perhaps our parents had.

“There have been so many innovations in care for the dying, as well as alternatives to standard funerals and post-death care, that people haven’t necessarily heard of.

“And if we can discuss these innovations over a comforting cuppa and a piece of cake, then that’s all the better, isn’t it?

“Other local death doulas often attend, as it’s become an excellent source of information sharing”.

To find out the dates for upcoming sessions or to book for a Dying to Ask session, contact Heathcote Community House on 5433 2820 or email [email protected].