Dying for a Cuppa - The Podcast

Special Episode: In Honour of Baby Loss Awareness Week - 9-15th October This week on Dying for a Cuppa – The Podcast, I’m joined by the beautiful Cathy Milburn, friend, colleague and founder of Heart in Their Hand. Cathy’s work was born from her own heartbreak — the loss of her son, Adam, who was sadly born sleeping. In this deeply tender and honest conversation, Cathy shares her story — from her...

Grief is one of the heaviest topics we could ever touch on – and truthfully, we could talk about it all day. But in this episode, I simply want to pause and share a few gentle reminders. Grief is not about comparison or measurement. It’s personal, messy, and different for everyone. Here, I offer some intimate reflections and supportive insights for anyone grieving, or walking alongside someone who...

In this latest episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I sit down with Emma Gray, from Rainbow Hunting, who speaks with raw honesty about the death of her husband, Simon. Simon was just 38 when he died, leaving behind Emma and their two young daughters, aged six and eight. This conversation is tender and deeply emotional, especially towards the end, so please do listen gently. Emma shares Simon’s journey th...

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Antonia Rolls, an artist and fellow Soul Midwife, who speaks with incredible openness about the deaths of her two sons. Antonia lost one son to addiction and another to suicide. Antonia has also experienced many other significant losses in her life. This is your gentle warning: the conversation is raw, very honest, and deeply emotional. Please ta...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of hospices – what they are, where they came from, and why they matter. Hospices can feel daunting or even misunderstood, so my aim is to strip away the myths and share the key things you really need to know. This isn’t just about facts and history, though. It’s about encouraging those vital conversations with the people who matter to you – the kind of...

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I sit down with John Adams – a well-known voice in the Funeral world, with ideas and energy that keep shaping the way forward. But at the heart of John’s drive is something deeply personal. When John was just 12 years old, he lost his mum, Maria. That loss shaped his grief, his life, and ultimately the work he’s doing today to make real changes and raise aware...

In this raw and deeply human episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow celebrant, Jess May – a living funeral specialist who knows the realities of loss all too well. Jess shares the significant bereavements in her life, including the deaths of her parents and siblings, as well as the heartache of pet loss. We talk openly about grief, death, and dying – in very real, human terms. Jess speaks wit...

PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS BEFORE YOU START… We’re back with Series 2 of Dying for a Cuppa The Podcast! In this short intro, we set the scene for what’s to come – honest, in-depth conversations about death, dying, and the many ways loss shows up in our lives. This isn’t a series about grief itself, but about the stories, experiences, and truths people carry. Before you dive in, this episode offers a ge...

In this final episode of Dying for a Cuppa before a summer break, we’re talking about the ultimate gift you can give your people – talking about death. It might feel hard, but opening up these conversations brings peace, clarity, and understanding. It’s a gift for those we love, easing their grief and giving them something solid to hold on to when everything else feels shaky. I know many don’t wan...

This week on Dying for a Cuppa, we’re diving into the world of personal care. The practical, intimate, human stuff. We talk about the importance of knowing what might need to be done, what you might need and the emotional weight it can carry for both the person giving and receiving support. We need to know this may fall on us. It’s about dignity, respect and understanding. It’s ok if it easy for y...

Anticipatory Grief & Secondary Losses In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, we’re talking about the grief that shows up before someone dies — anticipatory grief — and the ripple effects of secondary losses that follow. Whether it’s the loss of future plans, roles, routines, or identity, these hidden layers of grief often go unspoken. Let’s name them, explore them, and make space for them over a cu...

I thought I’d cover something lighter this week and just chat with you all about, what I lovingly refer to as, the ‘Woo Woo’. Come chat with me and hear all about the spiritual side of me and some of my thoughts and feelings about the said woo woo. This is very much a ‘me waffling on’ kind of episode, easy on the ears, and heart, with a little insight into my home (literally) Also the day this is...

Assisted dying is a hot topic in at this precise moment in our time. The bill is currently going through parliament and looks set to go to the next steps. We are still a few years off it being legally available here in the UK but we need to use this time to get better educated, become more well informed and gain deeper insight and perspective about what all this really means. We need to talk a lot...

The term ‘Direct Cremation’ is becoming more widely used - but do we really understand what this means? Do we have enough information about this process, what it entails and what it means for us mourners? There is so much more to this than we realise and here I hope to share a little insight to really make you think. We need to talk more about this if we think this might be a path for us, it goes...

Do you know if your person dies at home, you do not need to rush to send them into the care of a funeral director? Did you know you can keep them at home with you for a few hours or even days if you wish? Now this idea certainly won’t be for everyone, but it will be absolutely right for a few. I shared a post on Facebook about exactly this recently that got A LOT of attention, with some interestin...

I have a FREE download available on my website called ‘Me, My Care and I’ - this is a spiritual and holistic care document available to everyone and anyone, at any stage of life. It is a place to document and explore your wants and wishes, your fears and concerns, and share all about who you are as a person. It is all relevant to our personalised and heart led end of life care and helps encourage...

Talking to children about tricky subjects can be exactly that, tricky. When it comes to death, we often feel we need to protect children, keep them away from the challenging stuff and hide them away from seeing someone die. The trouble with this well meaning approach h is that we can cause more harm than good, and here I explain why. Children need to know that as hard as it is, death and grief are...

Do you know what happens the moment someone dies? Yes they stop breathing but who do you need to call and when? First the death needs to be verified and time of death documented with some clinical checks by a health care professional. Let me explain all this and why sticking the kettle on is one of the first things someone dies at home. For more info about me and what this is all about, have a loo...

Delving straight in today with some nitty gritty information about Mouth Care. Just what you want to hear over your morning cuppa! In this episode I go straight in, in detail, with how we can support someone nearing the end of their life with their oral hygiene and personal care. But it may not be how you think… Mouth care is an important, but sometimes forgotten, aspect of end of life care. It is...

In this episode I share all about the role of a Soul Midwife and what it is we can do when supporting the dying. I talk a little about the difference between a Soul Midwife and Death Doula, what folks might need or want from us and how we can help. Soul Midwives are crucial for bridging the gap in end of life care between the health care professionals and between diagnosis and the end of our lives...

Last episode in honour of Dying Matters Week and this one is very close to my heart. You may have seen a picture on my socials, or on my website, of me at the bedside of a soul at the end of her life. This was my friend Tess. This photo means so much to me for many reasons so this is our little story. Thank you for listening and being with me all week! From now on I will drop an episode every Mond...

This weeks episode is all about 'The Culture of Dying Matters', the main theme of Dying Matters Week, as well as their main aim which is to get folks TALKING about death and dying. Now, this episode is essentially me speaking out loud while contemplating how we British do death in comparison to other cultures, religions and countries. I do cover some cultural aspects but this is really just me thi...

Another episode this week as it's Dying Matters Awareness Week and one that covers the topic of where we die. You do have choices but do you understand what they are? You'll find that what those choices look like is different for each of us to. Have you even thought about it? Another important topic to talk about as it may affect those in your family and those who may end up supporting you at the...

Another episode in honour of Dying Matters Week, and this episode we cover some key things you need to talk about when it comes to funerals. There is SO much to talk about, there are so many choices and options when it comes to funerals so we will of course, come back to this another day. But here a few key things about Funerals we all need to know... For more info about me and what this is all ab...

Well well well! It’s been an idea and dream for years to make Dying for a Cuppa into a podcast and thanks to Spotify, they have made it a reality. Join me here every week for a conversation about death and dying, and funerals. All the things you don’t know you don’t know, in a space that is honest, offering loving support, about the only certainty in life. To talk about death, to understand it, fa...