It's A Death Sentence: An Unexpectedly Funny, Deeply Human Podcast About Death & Life

How do we date when death has already changed us and how honest do we need to be about the grief we carry? In this episode of  It’s a Death Sentence , we talk openly about  dating after loss . Whether through bereavement, serious illness, miscarriage or sudden change, death has a way of reshaping how we relate, trust and attach. And yet, dating culture rarely makes space for that reality...

What does it mean to work with death every day and how does that change the way we think about living, grieving and planning our own endings? In this episode of  It’s a Death Sentence , we’re joined by  Allyse Worland , a first-generation funeral director and embalmer from the United States, whose career began at just 15 years old after a deeply personal experience of loss. We talk openl...

What if we didn’t wait for children to experience loss before teaching them how to understand it? In this episode of  It’s a Death Sentence , we talk openly about a landmark change coming to UK education. From September 2026,  grief and bereavement education will become part of the statutory RSHE curriculum , and we wanted to take time to unpack what that really means - for schools, for...

Is the short fuse, the sudden tears, the “why am I fighting everyone?” moment just you… or is it grief wearing a disguise? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down and ask the question we (and probably you) keep wondering: how do we know if we’re just having a bad day… or if grief is quietly driving the wheel? From screaming at partners over nothing, to realising your tolerance for bu...

New year, new me? Yeah, right! When you’re carrying grief, January 1st doesn’t magically wipe the slate clean - it just swaps the tinsel for a hangover and a side of guilt. In this episode, we ditch the resolutions and get real about what “new year, new me” actually feels like when someone you love is missing from the table. We explore why grief doesn’t give a toss about the calendar. What You’ll...

You’ve just lost a loved one in hospital. Everyone’s crying. And then… the admin avalanche begins. In this no-filter, step-by-step guide we walk you through the exact bureaucratic gauntlet of what happens if a loved one dies in hospital. From bank-holiday hell to coroners, certificates, and finally getting your loved one to the funeral director - this is the episode nobody wants to need… but every...

Think Christmas is all twinkly lights and mince pies? Think again - history is full of people who met their end courtesy of a festive fir tree, toxic stockings, and a seven-year-old with a rifle. In this gloriously dark seasonal special of It’s a Death Sentence, we unwrap the wildest, weirdest, and most lethal Christmas deaths on record. From the Victorian Christmas Holiday Effect (a genuine spike...

Is it just another day… or the one day that can break your heart all over again? In this festive special of It’s a Death Sentence, we rip open the glittery wrapping on Christmas when you’re grieving. We explore the pressure to create “perfect” memories, the guilt of wanting to hide under the duvet, and why sometimes the best gift is permission to do Christmas completely differently. What You’ll Le...

In this special episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we hand the mic over to the wonderful psychic medium Helen Milwood for the full, unedited live readings she did for us earlier this year. Both readings are funny, emotional, and scarily accurate in places – exactly the kind of chaotic spirit energy we love on It’s a Death Sentence. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is...

From itchy palms to shoes on the table, Irish mammies have a superstition for everything - but when death knocks, the rules get delightfully dark and downright bizarre. In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we tumble down the rabbit hole of deathly omens and gloriously grim rituals - from doppelgängers dropping doom, birds stealing souls and clocks frozen at the fatal hour. It's A Death Senten...

Grief doesn’t always arrive with a funeral - it can slip in quietly after a divorce, an empty nest, or the slow realisation that part of who you were is gone. In this episode, we sit down with Lucy, who shares her profound journey from losing her mother to brain cancer and her stepdad soon after, to founding a bereavement support service and organising uplifting events like her upcoming Grief Fest...

Suzanne McArthur, occupational therapist turned grief guru with 30 years in end-of-life care, joins us to share her journey from oncology work within the NHS to Marie Curie and Birmingham Hospice - where redundancies sparked her to launch Evolve and Flourish for workshops and Thriving Connections for grant-funded, community-co-developed projects tackling barriers to grief support. We dive into ins...

What if we honoured life’s big changes not just with milestones like weddings and funerals, but with rituals that truly acknowledge who we’re becoming? In this special episode from Brum YODO recorded live at Birmingham Central Library as part of Death Matters, we sit down with Dionne, a celebrant whose work reimagines how we commemorate both beginnings and endings. After sharing an incredible near...

In this Halloween special of It’s a Death Sentence, we lean right into the season of spooks. From childhood terrors to modern traditions, we explore why Halloween holds such a grip on our imaginations. We wander through our Halloween memories, including the infamous BBC Ghostwatch that traumatised a generation. We talk broomsticks, witches, and trick-or-treating, dive into how Halloween evolved fr...

What happens when grief becomes the starting point for real human connection rather than something to hide away from? In this episode, we sit down with Ben, co-founder of The New Normal, a charity providing free, non-judgmental peer-to-peer support for people navigating grief and mental health. What began with one conversation between two young men - bonded by the loss of their fathers - has grown...

How do you grieve a parent you’ve already been saying goodbye to for years? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, Emma shares the story of her dad, Peter Skipp - a kind, intelligent man who lived a vibrant life before Alzheimer’s slowly altered the rhythm of their family’s world. Emma reflects on the long arc of her father’s illness, from the first signs of dementia to the moments before his d...

How do you grieve a sibling when the world forgets you’re grieving too? In this episode, Carrie shares the recent loss of her brother, who died of cancer at just 45 years old. She opens up about the raw reality of sibling grief—the kind that often goes unseen as attention is directed toward parents, partners, and children. From the humour and mischief her brother brought to life, to the anger and...

What if funerals weren't a production line-but a chance to truly reflect a life? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we're joined by Fran Glover and Carrie Weeks, co-founders of A Natural Undertaking, the Birmingham-based funeral directors transforming the way we say goodbye. From personal loss and unanswered questions to creating a business that empowers families, Fran and Carrie share thei...

What if the spirit world was closer-and more real-than we dare to believe? In this episode, we sit down with psychic medium Helen Millward, founder of Helen's Angels of Tranquillity. From childhood visions and family roots in Irish Traveller traditions, to decades of readings, stage demonstrations, and encounters with both light and dark presences, Helen shares her extraordinary journey of living...

What if a brush with death could spark a bold new outlook on life? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Jo Arnold, a 43-year-old who survived a harrowing case of pneumococcal meningitis. Jo shares how a sudden fever turned into a fight for her life and how it fuelled her resilience and zest for living. What You'll Discover - Spotting the Signs: Recognise early meningitis symp...

What if knowing your exact ‘end date’ could empower your life's journey? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we welcome Davina Barua, who shares her heartfelt story of growing up with an older, unwell father. From family caregiving challenges to embracing grief and reflections on death, Davina offers raw insights into resilience, love, and finding peace amid loss. What You'll Learn - Caregiv...

In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we unravel the evolution of death rituals, spotlighting how the Black Death reshaped mourning practices centuries ago. From Tibetan sky burials to Irish wakes, Maori tangihanga, Jewish Shiva, and Viking send-offs, we explore how diverse cultures honour the departed and how these traditions adapt today. What You'll Learn -   Plague’s Lasting...

What if poetry could transform personal grief into shared healing? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we welcome Maggie Parsons, who founded Poetree in 2021 after her brother John's tragic death from COVID at age 53. Maggie shares her experience of discovering his passing during lockdown and how it inspired her to display poems on a tree outside her house, fostering community connection and...

What if your final send-off could be as quirky as cryogenic freezing or as serene as a sea burial? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we explore the fascinating world of burials. From prehistoric interments to modern options like natural sites and home burials, we share insights on history, costs, and personal choices.  What You’ll Learn    - Burial Basics: Understand the rea...

Why do we shy away from talking about what happens to a body after death? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we dive into autopsies with humour and curiosity. We explore the process of organ evisceration, debunk myths like popcorn-filled cremations, and touch on the history of grave-robbing for science. We cover Julius Caesar’s fatal wounds to modern challenges with bariatric bodies, unpack...