Shows
Living with dyingEpisode 73: Paul CalandrinoPaul Calandrino's wife - novelist Cai Emmons - decided to end her life once the devastating disease ALS took its hold. They live in Oregon so she was able to choose when to die. And she wanted a record of her decline and death - so they made a documentary about it called Vanishing - A Love Story. He tells us more here:
2025-12-0838 minLiving with dyingEpisode 72: Jane HarrisJane Harris and her husband set up the Good Grief Project on the sudden, unexpected death of her son while he was away travelling. She describes the devastating impact of this loss and how they now devote their lives to helping others who lose children.
2025-11-2427 minLiving with dyingEpisode 71: Dr Rachael de CauxExtraordinarily, this week we celebrate two years of this podcast, and we mark this by talking to the CEO of Thames Hospice, where I found so much help and support in the early days. Dr Rachael de Caux is a passionate exponant of hospice care and here she talks about her work and unveils the huge range of care available today in her hospice.
2025-11-1125 minLiving with dyingEpisode 70: Lucy EasthopeLucy Easthope is well known for her two best selling books - When the Dust Settles and Come What May - both detailing the wisdom from her years of expertise in the disaster and crisis management field. So I asked her what lessons for bereavement can be drawn from her wide experience?
2025-10-2734 minLiving with dyingEpisode 69: Nina NannarNina Nannar - ITV's Arts Editor - found her life turned upside down three years ago when her husband of 23 years, Steve, died after complications caused by kidney disease. She talks movingly here of how she managed to continue with her high-pressured, public facing role having been plunged suddenly into deep grief.
2025-10-1335 minLiving with dyingEpisode 68: Maxine and MarilynIn many of these episodes we've learnt how finding people who've been through a very similar experience can be the best help in bereavement. Here, Maxine and Marilyn who've both found help from their local bereavement group Oasis, describe how helpful t's been.
2025-09-2925 minLiving with dyingEpisode 67: Dr Bill WebsterDr Bill Webster - Grief Counsellor, and author and founder of The Grief Journey - is on tour in the UK at the moment presenting seminars on his experience of grief and loss and his advice for the bereaved and those who surround them. He shares his long and wide experience with us.
2025-09-1527 minLiving with dyingEpisode 66: Suzanne ElvidgeMost people who are widowed will talk afterwards about how they flailed around, went numb, didn't know what they were doing or how they were feeling in the early stages of grief. And yet it's at that time when decisions have to be made, action taken. Suzanne Elvidge drew on her own experience to set up the Widows Handbook and talks about it here.
2025-09-0126 minLiving with dyingEpisode 65: Richard ChalmersRichard Chalmers and friends recognised a need in their community for bereavement support some 20 years ago. Since then, they've been running regular support groups for the bereaved - where people come together to eat/drink and mostly chat.
2025-08-1826 minLiving with dyingEpisode 64: Catherine BeerMost of us who've not experienced death worry about what it's going to be like - whether that's our own death or that of our loved ones. Doulas can help take fear of the unknown away for people at the end of life - and their families. Catherine Beer joins us again to explain more here.
2025-08-0432 minLiving with dyingEpisode 63: Lee WakehamLee Wakeham has a horrendous story to tell - of being abandoned by his mother aged two, of abuse during his first foster care placement, leading to years of offending and time in prison. So how did he turn his life around after such huge losses? He now runs successful pasty-making business - HMPasties - that employs ex-offenders and has been taken under the Co-op's wing via its incubator scheme - the Apiary.
2025-07-2133 minLiving with dyingEpisode 62: Louise DilllonLouise Dillon's son died from an aggressive form of leukemia just after his 14th birthday. Her own experience of how difficult it was returning to work, prompted her to offer training to businesses on how best to support grieving employees and how to give the bereaved a voice in how they'd like things to go.
2025-07-0726 minLiving with dyingEpisode 61: Peter CooperPeter Cooper got in touch after listening to episode 27 featuring his mother talking about the death of his father. He mentioned that he felt there had been unacknowledged grief underlying his childhood and how it has left him unsure if he 'does' grief well. We explore that together here.
2025-06-2324 minLiving with dyingEpisode 60: Pippa and GracePippa and Grace were only 16 when their fathers died. They didn't know each other at the time but met through the counselling offered by Thames Hospice and have since become firm friends. Together they're passionate about raising money for the hospice so that others can receive the same care and help they value so highly.
2025-06-0928 minLiving with dyingEpisode 59: Lord KinnockBaroness Glenys Kinnock and Lord Neil Kinnock were together for 60 years - the most high profile political couple of their generation. "It is like losing a limb" says Neil. "Glenys suffered and died of Alzheimer's in 2023 and the only real relief of Alzheimer's is that people slip away. They almost give you a rehearsal in loss. It does mean that you suffer a real death and years before that a sort of death."
2025-05-1933 minLiving with dyingEpisode 58: Toby PorterNOT talking about death and dying is 'a profound act of societal self-harm' says Toby Porter CEO of HospiceUK. We mark Dying Matters Awareness Week by talking to him about why we don't talk about it more, about hospice care, assisted dying and the recent loss of his mother.
2025-05-0546 minLiving with dyingEpisode 57: Sally LynchFor Easter week, we're talking to the Reverend Sally Lynch about the Christian Church's approach to death and dying and the significance of Easter in the Church of England.
2025-04-1432 minLiving with dyingEpisode 56: Lucy PotterThis is to mark Sudden Death Awareness Month in March.
Lucy Potter's 2 year old son Gibson didn't wake up one morning. She bravely, and eloquently describes here the horror of trying to administer CPR, of accompanying him in an ambulance, and of willing him to live while watching in stunned disbelief as medics tried and failed to revive him.
2025-03-2844 minLiving with dyingEpisode 55: Ginny Daly
Ginny Daly had to experience the heart-breaking ordeal of giving birth to her baby boy knowing that he'd died in the womb. She talks openly of that nightmare, and how, years later, her mother's death exposed her to a completely different kind of grief.
2025-03-1648 minLiving with dyingEpisode 54: Fiona DuffySuicide is often described as cruel. This is not what our latest guest Fiona Duffy thinks. She describes here how her experience of suffering losses, including her brother to suicide, inspired her to go into the Funeral Care Business with the Co-op.
2025-03-0331 minLiving with dyingEpisode 53: Mark Shepherd
Mark Shepherd performs an extraordinary service for the parents of babies who are still born, or who die soon after birth. He visits them soon after their loss to take professional photos of their babies for a charity called RememberMyBaby. He tells us here how he got into this amazing work.
2025-02-1729 minLiving with dyingEpisode 52: Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBENatasha's Foundation is launching a new campaign to provide education about allergies to children in primary schools around the country. The foundation is named in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2016 on her way to a holiday in France with her father and best friend. She'd unwittingly eaten a baguette containing sesame seed bought at the airport.
After the inquest, her parents Tanya and Nadim campaigned for a new law, Natasha's law, so that all prepackaged food must list all ingredients with the 14 allergens in bold. They went on to launch the Foundation which funds rese...
2025-02-0335 minLiving with dyingEpisode 51: Gini HackettGini Hackett, founder of @BucketListWishesUK, believes that encouraging her Mother to put together a bucket list helped prolong her life from the projected 3 months to 11, and describes some of the fun things they did together during that time
2025-01-2027 minLiving with dyingEpisode 50: Rebecca PeachWhat to do when someone dies? And how to find a funeral director who's going to respect our wishes and look after our loved one? Most of us don't do any research before, so we flounder around and pick the nearest, or the one we've heard of. Rebecca Peach founded The Farewell Guide to address this.
2025-01-0626 minLiving with dyingEpisode 49: Rachel Tegg ChristmasAs Christmas approaches, this can be such a difficult time for anyone who's bereaved. Rachel Tegg of Child Bereavement Uk shares her experience of helping families with approaching any festive season and passes on advice she's gleaned.
2024-12-1633 minLiving with dyingEpisode 48: Natasha Bradshaw
We mark National Grief Awareness Week with a look behind the scenes at Mortlake Crematorium and find out exactly what happens to our loved ones' bodies once we say goodbye.
2024-12-0241 minLiving with dyingEpisode 47: Catherine Beer - Talking to the DyingHow to talk to the dying? What to say? How to broach the subject...? Advice here from Pastoral Care worker Catherine Beer.
2024-11-1829 minLiving with dyingEpisode 46: Wendy CraigActress Wendy Craig shares what happened when her husband of 40 years - Jack Bentley - died of cancer, and how she picked up the pieces and made a good life for herself over the 30 following years.
2024-11-0325 minLiving with dyingEpisode 45: Carolyn MaylingThis week's guest - Carolyn Mayling - has an amazing story of life and death. The death of her 11 year old daughter, followed some years later by the birth of a new baby when she was 54. She's managed to rebuild a really fulfilling and worthwhile life after loss - as she describes in this conversation.
2024-10-2136 minLiving with dyingEpisode 44: Di Stubbs
During Baby Loss Awareness week we ask what on earth to say to people who've lost a pregnancy or a baby - at whatever stage. Di Stubbs of Child Bereavement UK says don't say 'Just call me - anytime'. Instead phone with questions like 'I'm in Sainsbury's can I pick anything up for you' or 'I've only got half a load of washing can I do yours', or 'I'm taking my kids to the park can I take yours? Something they can say an easy yes to without having to think'
2024-10-0637 minLiving with dyingEpisode 43: Shobha ModiThings not to say to the bereaved: 'Think of all the memories', 'You were lucky to have him', 'She wouldn't want you to cry' - Shobha Modi shares her advice and talks about the Hindu approach to death and dying
2024-09-3029 minLiving with dyingEpisode 42: Veronica CurriePeople widowed young often struggle to find anyone who remotely understands which leaves them isolated and alone - which is where WAY (Widowed and Young) steps in. Veronica Currie explains.
2024-09-2332 minLiving with dyingEpisode 41: Sophie HamiltonHave you got a will? 66 percent of people in the UK don't according to Solicitor Sophie Hamilton who thinks it's sad that people often leave it too late
2024-09-1635 minLiving with dyingEpisode 40: Khalad Hussein
Khalad Hussein explains the Muslim approach to death and dying and how Muslims believe that their 'time is written'
2024-09-0925 minLiving with dyingEpisode 39: Nula SuchetNula Suchet's life changed dramatically when her husband James developed Dementia at the young age of 57. She describes in detail his decline and death, but also tells an uplifting story of rebuilding her life afterwards and marrying broadcaster John Suchet
2024-09-0238 minLiving with dyingEpisode 38: Rachel TeggRachel Tegg of Child Bereavement UK describes how play can help bereaved children express themselves - and how they offer help to bereaved parents and families as well.
2024-08-2641 minLiving with dyingEpisode 37: Rosie Taylor HorlerRosie Taylor Horler's father died when she was 21, leading to feelings that her Dad never really knew her as an adult, and that there were a whole load of conversations she never got to have.
2024-08-1935 minLiving with dyingEpisode 36: Maaike Gomm-ZaagsmaHow on earth do you cope with 10 miscarriages - including two sets of twins? Maaike Gomm-Zaagsma shares her heart-breaking story and how it led on to her work in Funeralcare.
2024-08-1126 minLiving with dyingEpisode 35: Kevin ToolisKevin Toolis's book My Father's Wake describes in minute detail the Irish way of death and dying. 'The dead body is right there and you can look at it, touch it, kiss it, whatever you wish.'
2024-08-0428 minLiving with dyingEpisode 34: Fernanda ReyesFernanda Reyes was inspired to start an online Farewell Planner called Evermore after her father died and she wished she'd been more prepared. She's since trained as a Death Doula and describes that work here too:
2024-07-2830 minLiving with dyingEpisode 33: Robert Harrap
The perspective of the 'rhythm of life' is important in the Buddhist approach to death and dying - as explained by Robert Harrap - Chair of SGI Europe
2024-07-2133 minLiving with dyingEpisode 32: Catherine McLaughlinOnline dating - good or bad idea when you're widowed later in life? CEO of Thames Hospice Catherine McLaughlin shares how hard it felt picking up the pieces after her husband died
2024-07-1427 minLiving with dyingEpisode 31: Sarah Parfitt'It's not those wow moments, it's the ordinary moments you miss'' - Sarah Parfitt on life without her 91 year old father
2024-07-0829 minLiving with dyingEpisode 30: Katharine HorlerKatharine Horler is a great example of someone who's rebuilt her life. Her 54 year old husband Chris died 7 years ago but she met someone new and is getting married again
2024-07-0132 minLiving with dyingEpisode 29: Chris BuchananHow to explain death and dying to people who have no language? Speech therapist Chris Buchanan, who works with non-verbal children and young people gives us her advice:
2024-06-2425 minLiving with dyingEpisode 28: Jess SeymourWhen Jess Seymour's 35 year old husband Matt went into a hospice, they talked and talked. 'Those conversations are really difficult, you feel nauseous and have a knot in your neck and physical pain in your chest, but I'm so glad we had them'
2024-06-1743 minLiving with dyingEpisode 27: Hazel Cooper88 year old Hazel Cooper was married to Jock for 63 years. She reminisces about the early days, married life and his death from cancer a year ago.
2024-06-1026 minLiving with dyingEpisode 26: Cressida HarrisFuneral Director Cressida Harris joins us this week to talk about what to do when someone dies, how to talk to the bereaved and how you can have anything from 'dance music to drum and base and dove release' at your funeral if you like.
2024-06-0329 minLiving with dyingEpisode 25: Dr Nikki PaulDr Nikki Paul's husband was killed in a car crash on his way to work, leaving her with 3 very young children. She now uses her experience and expertise to help other bereaved young mothers
2024-05-2733 minLiving with dyingEpisode 24: Karnail PannuThis week Karnail Pannu talks about the Sikh way of death - the mourning, the funeral and the grief he experienced on the death from a sudden heart attack of his son Gurdeep aged 52
2024-05-2025 minLiving with dyingEpisode 23: Assisted DyingAs Dying Matters Awareness week draws to a close, we're focussing on the Assisted Dying Debate. We hear the opinions of two guests - one all in favour, the other not. Thanks to Rabbi Jonathan Romain and Ros Doherty for their willingness to share.
2024-05-1244 minLiving with dyingEpisode 22: Joan BakewellDame Joan Bakewell feels strongly that we should all talk more about death and dying. In a timely interview for Dying Matters Awareness Week, she shares those strong views here:
2024-04-2415 minLiving with dyingEpisode 21: Victoria KibbleHave you ever thought of having a submarine for your coffin? All in a day's work for funeral arranger Victoria Kibble when asked by the family of a submariner:
2024-04-2235 minLiving with dyingEpisode 20: Catherine McClaughlinCatherine McLaughlin, CEO of the Thames Hospice, tells how she was drawn to this work after watching her husband die
2024-04-1534 minLiving with dyingEpisode 19: Shrewsbury StrollersWhat is it about walking and talking that feels so therapeutic? I discuss this here with Sharon Jones and Shirley Gennoe of the Severn Hospice where the Shrewsbury Strollers are based
2024-04-0831 minLiving with dyingEpisode 18: Catherine Beer SensesHow do our senses play their part in grief? Counsellor Catherine Beer and I discuss how sight, sound, taste, smell and touch can trigger good and bad feelings
2024-04-0226 minLiving with dyingEpisode 17: Sid ColeHow do you go on holiday after the loss of your long term partner and travelling companion? 84 year old widower Sid Cole describes how he plucked up the courage and found a new lease of life
2024-03-2421 minLiving with dyingEpisode 16: Ros DohertyRos Doherty's husband died suddenly 7 years ago. After the initial shock, she's managed to rebuild a rich life for herself and has a great deal of wisdom to share on the subject.
2024-03-1835 minLiving with dyingEpisode 15: Rabbi RomainRabbi Jonathan Romain is our guest this week. He talks candidly about the loss of his 34 year old son in a tragic honeymoon accident, how his faith didn't help and how he's got on with life since.
2024-03-1128 minLiving with dyingEpisode 14: Emily CumminToday's guest is Emily Cummin, founder of a fantastic resource for anyone who's grieving. It's called Untangle Grief and is an app and a website that helps its many members through the twists and turns of bereavement, from the feelings to the practicalities that can flummox us all.
Emily shares with us some of the wisdom she's gleaned from the Untange Grief community
https://untanglegrief.com/
2024-03-0435 minLiving with dyingEpisode 13: Baroness MeyerThis week's guest, the Baroness Meyer has suffered more losses than most. Her two sons were abducted by their father when very small and she fought for years, unsuccessfully, for their return. And more recently, she's lost her husband of 25 years, Sir Christopher Meyer, the UK's one time Ambassador to Washington. She opens up about how she's handled grief and loss here.
2024-02-2539 minLiving with dyingEpisode 12: Kathryn GilbertWhat happens when we die? What is it like to die? Today we tackle this last taboo and try to de-mystify what it is like when someone dies. We're guided by Kathryn Gilbert, Nurse Consultant at Thames Hospice.
2024-02-1835 minLiving with dyingEpisode 11: the language of death and dyingWhy do we find it so hard to use the correct language around death and dying? Instead, hedging it about with all kinds of euphemisms? I talk to Catherine Beer, Pastoral Care Worker at the Thames Hospice to get her thoughts.
2024-02-1143 minLiving with dyingEpisode 10: Sam HartPodcaster Sam Hart shares with Dilys his top ten tips for getting through the day when feelings of being down and lonely threaten to overwhelm us
2024-02-0444 minLiving with dyingEpisode 9: Sandra JeffsEvery parent's worst nightmare is the death of a child. Listen to Sandra Jeffs talk movingly - and bravely - about the loss of her son Michael
2024-01-2834 minLiving with dyingEpisode 8: Michael KahnAn unusual story today as I talk to an old friend Michael Kahn who lost his sister after a 10 year estrangement. He opens up frankly about his reaction to her death - and it may surprise you.
2024-01-2127 minLiving with dyingEpisode 7: Tom PageI talk today with Tom Page who lost his father in 2019 and took up the offer of counselling from the Thames Hospice. He shares how it helped him through his bereavement.
2024-01-1434 minLiving with dyingEpisode 6: Poppy MardellPoppy Mardall - today's guest - is a great advocate of talking more about death and dying. She decided that funerals need a fresh approach and founded a business - called Poppy's - on that basis. She tells us today what she thinks is wrong with many funerals and how we can improve on them
2024-01-0735 minLiving with dyingEpisode 5: Mark TinklerToday's episode will resonate with many of us, as Mark Tinkler talks about losing both his mother and father during the terrible time of Covid
2024-01-0126 minLiving with dyingEpisode 4: Catherine BeerFor this Christmas week, we're talking to Catherine Beer of Thames Hospice about the range of feelings that can be stirred up by all the festivity around us, and how best to navigate the various anniversaries thrown up during grief.
2023-12-1831 minLiving with dyingEpisode 3: Andrew PetersIn this episode, Dilys talks to Andrew Peters who reflects on one layer of grief on top of another..... the sudden loss of his father 10 years ago, followed by the sudden loss of his brother only last year
2023-12-1245 minLiving with dyingEpisode 2: Anne Lady DoddSir Ken Dodd's widow - Lady Dodd - talks us through the story of her long life with the comedian and how she picked up the pieces after his death in 2018.
An exhibition called Happiness, which celebrates Sir Ken's life as a comedian, entertainer, and singer is on in the Museum of Liverpool until 3rd March.
2023-11-0630 minLiving with dyingEpisode 1: Dilys MorganI'm Dilys Morgan and I met my late husband Michael Barratt when I joined the early evening BBC TV Nationwide programme. In this, the first episode of Living with dying, I tell my own story of the recent death of my husband of 47 years and some of the unexpected feelings I encountered. Guiding me through is Counsellor Simon Smith of the Thames Hospice
2023-11-0639 min