
I strongly urge everyone to read this book, which contains important information. It’s a series of essays about various aspects of death, and a great resource for the conversations we all need to have.
The Teece Museum hosted a panel discussion featuring four of those who wrote essays for the book. The Chair was Dr Erin Harrington, English Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, who focuses on Cultural Studies. Her essay about The Casketeers which shows the business of tending to the dead, reminded me that I’d like to see this programme (now available on demand), and how I was privileged to see behind the scenes at a Funeral Director’s premises as part of my training for the Certificate in Celebrant Studies.
Marcus Elliott, Coroner, discussed how death always brings questions. The coronial system is an inquisitorial process seeking the truth about a particular death. The coroner speaks for the dead to protect the living.
Dr Ruth McManus, Sociology Professor, University of Canterbury, pointed out that death is expensive and spoke of resomation/bio-cremation or alkaline hydrolysis where a body is dissolved in heated alkaline water. This process, basically a lye bath, is more environmentally friendly than cremation.
Melanie Mayell, Deathwalker and Death Cafe host, said that grief is as individual as our fingerprints, and her work reinforces the need to make the most of every day. Unresolved issues come to the fore when someone dies.
The importance of everyone preparing an Advance Care Plan was stressed. After discussion about the role and expertise of Funeral Directors we learned that anyone can transport a dead body, e.g. to a crematorium, but it’s a good idea to have the death certificate with you.
An article on the architecture of death by Guy Marriage praises the design of the Harewood Crematorium where we held my Mother’s funeral, and which would be my choice if I were to be cremated. (I’d prefer resomation, or a natural burial ground, but these may not be available.)
Another essay by a palliative medicine specialist made me think again about the End of Life Choice Bill. This is currently being altered, and will be the subject of a general referendum.
An essay about funeral poverty reminded me of when I took a funeral service for a woman who had no money when she died. I was aware that the funeral directors involved treated her with minimal dignity.
A useful website mentioned is Te Hokinga a Wairua End of Life Service which gives information about what you need to do when someone dies.
This book and the Teece discussion are good reminders of the importance of talking about death, especially with those close to you. It is certain that all of us will eventually die.
The book is available from Christchurch City Libraries, or can be purchased for $30.
‘We all need to prepare to die
and this book has the reasons why.’
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