How comfortable do you feel talking about the end of life, death, and dying? For many, these conversations can feel daunting — yet they touch the very heart of what it means to live fully and love deeply. Opening these discussions with those we care about can bring unexpected peace, clarity, and closeness.
If you’ve been avoiding the topic, perhaps now is a beautiful time to begin.
The Sydney Festival of Death and Dying will be held on 22–23 November, offering a rare and meaningful opportunity to explore this universal experience in an open, life-affirming way.
'The festival seeks to provide opportunities to learn practical things we all need to know about death and dying, as well as offering more embodied, philosophical and artistic approaches to the subject—ones that do justice to the full spectrum of what is at stake in our shared, finite being with others. As implied in the idea of a festival, one of our guiding questions will be to explore how to celebrate and be joyful in this life without denying all that is painful, difficult, even inconsolable.'
It’s a gentle, thoughtful space for learning, reflection, and celebration — a reminder that acknowledging death can deepen our appreciation for life.
I encourage you to visit the festival’s website and browse through the program headings. You may find conversations, workshops, and ideas that help you begin or continue your own dialogue about living and dying with awareness and grace.
- Cedar