In this episode of Deadly Serious Conversations, I’m joined by Megan Sheldon, a cultural mythologist, a humanist celebrant and end-of-life doula based in North Vancouver, Canada.

Megan has a deep understanding of the power of ceremony and ritual, especially in times of grief and loss. In many cultures, rituals once played a central role in marking life’s changes, yet in our modern world, they are often forgotten, even though they come so naturally to us.

In this conversation, we talk about why rituals matter, how they give us stability in times of uncertainty and how they can help us embody the emotions we feel during life’s most challenging moments.

Megan also shares the inspiration behind Be Ceremonial , the world’s first guided ritual and ceremony app and how simple rituals can help us connect with ourselves, each other and the world around us.

In the words of Dr Alan Wolfelt: “When words are inadequate, have a ritual.”

Be Ceremonial

Be Ceremonial instagram

Seeking Ceremony

Funeral directors play a pivotal role in guiding families through one of the most difficult times in their lives. But how do you choose the right one? What should you look for and what can you expect from them?

Together with Lillian from The Last Time Funeral Directors in Sydney, we will unpack these questions and more, offering insights to help you make informed decisions and be aware of the choices available to you.

Organising a funeral must be one of life’s toughest tasks and for many people, it’s the last thing they want to be doing.

The reality of it all can suddenly hit when you find yourself in the process of organising a funeral.

People panic when someone dies. Even if someone’s death is expected, it’s still a shock.

People can be a little fearful as they may have never experienced a dead body before and therefore, they aren’t sure what to expect, so they think they will get somebody else to take over as quickly as possible.

This episode offers practical advice and thoughtful discussions on the partnership between families and funeral directors.

Last Time Sydney

Today I am joined on the podcast by Simon and Sameiko from Candour Funerals - a Melbourne-based funeral company. Together, we have a wonderful chat about something very special and deeply meaningful; the first sea burial to take place in Victoria in over a decade.

In this episode, we have a wonderful chat about the practicalities and logistics of making it happen, but more importantly, we hear about the deep respect shown to honour one person's final wish to be laid to rest at sea. It was a true community effort - a coming together of family, funeral professionals and authorities to ensure everything unfolded with care and dignity.

It's a conversation about respect, dignity and going to great lengths to ensure a farewell that felt right for the family and their loved one.

So, grab a cuppa and settle in for a truly remarkable story.

Candour Funerals

Candour funerals full sea burial