Schools of Life and Death
Hear from a panel of experts as they draw from their diverse personal and professional experiences to discuss the ways different cultural groups understand and relate to the concept of death.
About
What is a ‘good death’?
Incorporating a range of personal and professional perspectives, this panel discussion unpacks the many ways we understand and experience death throughout our lives – from how we carefully communicate the inevitability of death to children, to the stories we tell ourselves and our loved ones about it as adults.
Hear from renowned writer Chloe Hooper, death doula and independent funeral director Kimba Griffith, Wamba Wamba, Ngurai-Illum Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wotjobaluk woman and owner of Murrenda Memorial Service Stacey Hamilton, anthropologist Dr Hannah Gould and host Paul Barclay, as they discuss the ways different families, cultures and communities experience dying, death and grieving, the extent to which technological advancements have impacted modern-day death care, and what elements need to come together for a ‘good death’ to occur.
Illustration: Megan Herbert
The bookseller for this event is Neighbourhood Books.
This event will be recorded and broadcast as part of ABC’s Big Ideas.
Presented in partnership with the Contemplative Studies Centre.
Accessibility
You can learn more about the Wheeler Centre’s accessibility policies here. Please notify us of all access requirements when booking online so we can assist you with your visit. If you require further information, please contact reception on 03 9094 7800 or ticketing@wheelercentre.com.
Featuring
Dr Hannah Gould is a cultural anthropologist working in the areas of death, religion (Buddhism), and material culture, with a regional focus on East-Asia and Australia. Her research examines the processes of disposal and divestment, both in regard to the human dead and material objects. In sum, she ... Read more
Wholistic Funeral director, ceremonialist, death doula, jazz singer and death disruptor, Kimba Griffith walks with those facing life’s most immense transitions. As well as supporting people who have lost a person, Kimba works with people facing a life limiting illness, and those seeking to access ... Read more
Stacey Hamilton is a Proud Wamba Wamba, Ngurai-Illum Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wotjobaluk woman. Mother of Seven, Grandmother to 18. Owner/operator of Melbourne’s newest funeral service “Murrenda Memorial Services.” (Murrenda in Wamba Wamba language means to be alive.) This is a... Read more
Chloe Hooper’s The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island (2008) won the Victorian, New South Wales, West Australian and Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, as well as the John Button Prize for Political Writing, and a Ned Kelly Award for crime writing. Her latest book is The Arsonist: A Mi... Read more
Paul Barclay is a Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster with an appetite for ideas and in-depth analysis and discussion. Paul has produced countless stories over more than 20 years for an array of programs on virtually all ABC radio networks. He is currently the presenter of Big Ideas o... Read more
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