Dying to Know Day (8 August) is a nationwide opportunity to come together in open, meaningful conversations about one of life’s most important stages; the end of life.
These conversations help us feel informed, confident, and connected. They allow us to explore choices, share our values, and create plans that reflect what matters most. They also strengthen our communities, ensuring that when support is needed, it is already in place.
This year, events were held across the country in community halls, cafes, retirement villages, and other local gathering spaces. All providing safe, welcoming environments to listen, share, and learn. Preparing the Way’s founder, Helen Callanan, was honoured to attend and speak at three events in New South Wales, alongside local end of life doulas, palliative care professionals, funeral directors, legal advisors, and others dedicated to compassionate, person-centred end-of-life care.
A room full of stories and possibilities
The month began in Weston with the Life & Death Community Conversation hosted by the Dying to Meet You team Sharon Toner and Kirsty McLeod. The event brought people together to learn, share, and connect. Attendees explored information stalls, met local providers, and shared personal insights.
Helen joined a line-up of thoughtful speakers that included Julie Fletcher from Doula Connections, Ruth Boydell from LifeTimes, Kylie Hutchinson from Death Doula Service and No One Dies Alone, Jess Watkins of Whistle Freely, Lisa Foley of Parting With Dignity, Julia Peetz, Kylie Gangemi of With Wings of Grace and Natural Grace Holistic Funerals, and Sharon Toner of Alchemy St, who also MCed the event.
Each practitioner offered perspectives on planning, living well with illness, and supporting those around us. The message was clear: talking about the end of life is a powerful way to care for ourselves and each other.
Tea, conversation, and choices
In Mudgee, a warm winter morning set the scene for a day of learning and connection at Oaktree Retirement Village in an event co-hosted by Preparing the Way, Carer Gateway and LiveBetter, National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG), and Western NSW PHN.
Over morning tea and a light lunch, participants enjoyed presentations on topics including advance care directives, palliative care, voluntary assisted dying, grief and loss, and the role of end of life doulas.
Helen spoke about how doulas offer holistic, non-medical support, complementing healthcare services and helping people feel informed and at ease. The event highlighted the value of community knowledge and the comfort of knowing options are available when they’re needed.
Shaping end-of-life care together
On Dying to Know Day itself, Helen joined our friends and colleagues Doula Connections, Natural Grace Holistic Funerals and Essential Skills Training and Recruitment among others at the Full Circle event in Warabrook, which brought together community members and professionals from across the Hunter, Central Coast, and Newcastle regions.
Presentations explored topics from natural burial to advance care planning, each reinforcing the importance of choices that reflect personal values and wishes. Helen, alongside doula colleague Shannon Beresford from Your Path Guide and Holistic End of Life & Death Care Australia (HELD) spoke about the role doulas can play in today’s healthcare landscape, providing time, presence, and understanding that support both individuals and their families.
Between sessions, people connected over tea, exchanged experiences, and discovered local services committed to respectful, personalised care.
Legends leading the way
Dying to Know Day is a national movement that is now spreading events across the whole year, and our Legends were out in force! They were hosting events, speaking at gatherings, and creating spaces for open and supportive conversations across Australia.
In Hurstville, NSW, Ann Turner joined the Life Rites Funerals Open Day.
‘They kindly gave me the opportunity to try on my preferred casket, and it fits like a glove! One less thing to think about when my time nears!’
That’s true hands-on spirit!
The day was filled with opportunities to connect, ask questions, and demystify end of life choices.
In Bulimba, Queensland, Legend Sherryl Searles partnered with her local community centre to host an event that drew a full house of 90 attendees. With four excellent speakers, including Preparing the Way Trainer Jacqui Williams, who shared her knowledge as a guest speaker, engaging an audience eager to learn more about the role of end of life doulas. With 15 information booths that included three doulas, the day offered a wealth of information and connections.
The Honourable Di Farmer MP, who serves as Member for Bulimba on Brisbane’s Southside, shared a deeply personal story about her mother’s end of life.
‘She and her sister were trying to work out her wishes, which were not clear,’ Sherryl said. ‘Her mother had, however, written memories for her grandchildren which they treasured.’
The story moved the audience and sparked conversations about legacy and storytelling. By the end of the day, people were already talking about next year’s event with one company offering sponsorship on the spot. In the meantime, the conversations will continue to happen at the local library, where Sherryl hosts the monthly ‘What are you dying to talk about’ event.
In Abbotsford, Victoria, the Melbourne Inner North End-of-Life Doula Hub hosted What Are You Dying to Know More About?, featuring specialist guest speakers, which included Prof Mark Boughey, Director of Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital, as well as a team of doulas, including Legend Ann Cox and Preparing the Way’s Cosette Paneque.
The event was bigger than expected, with 28 attendees plus speakers, council staff, and doulas. It sparked ongoing conversations, created new community connections, and even opened doors to discussions with local MPs.
In Osborne Park, Perth, Lisa Galatis facilitated We need to talk about it, hosted by Dovida, which provides home care services across Australia. A diverse panel created a safe and engaging space for families to explore end of life topics together. It was great to see multiple generations attending and participating in these important conversations.
On the Coffs Coast, NSW, Rani Foreman and her team hosted the 2nd annual Coffs Coast Death & Dying Expo. With 32 exhibitors, over 250 attendees, shrouding demonstrations, death poetry, and a powerful cultural panel, the event offered something for everyone. Attendees described finding ‘my people’ and praised the warmth, openness, and diversity of the gathering.
‘There was something for everyone, and to have the expo so well attended gives extra oomph to why we do what we do,’ Rani said.
In Heidelberg, Victoria, Nicole Grundy joined The Last Latte, a morning dedicated to open conversations, valuable information, and greater understanding about end-of-life planning, choices, and care. The event, organised by White Lady Funerals, created a shift in community connection, with a genuine interest in the end-of-life doula model of care. The morning was filled with open conversation, shared knowledge, and plenty of smiles.
Carrying the conversation forward
Every conversation adds to a growing culture where talking about the end of life is not only normal but welcomed. Together, we are building communities where people feel empowered to make informed choices and supported to live fully at every stage.
Dying to Know Day may be one date on the calendar, but its message lasts all year: the more we share our stories, explore our options, and connect, the more prepared and supported we are.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s events, whether by attending, speaking, or simply taking a moment to start a conversation. Your openness helps create communities where every person’s wishes, values, and dignity can be honoured.