Living with dying
Living with dying is a podcast that aims to break the taboos surrounding death and dying, encouraging open conversations about the subject. Hosted by Dilys Morgan, who shares her personal experience of losing her husband Michael Barratt after 47 years together, the podcast explores topics related to grief, loss, and surviving a bereavement. It was a finalist in the 2024 BBC Make a Difference Awards.
Episodes
Episode 90: Steve Sansom
One million people in the UK have a diagnosis of Dementia - and although many of them are clustered around communities where the elderly choose to live, there are also, sadly, younger people in their 40s and 50s with dementia too. Steve Sansom works with both the elderly and the young for the Age UK Dementia service in and around the Royal Borough of W
Episode 89: Kate Nudds
We don't always give pet loss the attention it deserves - indeed we tend not to expect people to experience 'proper' grief when it comes to animals. But many of us know that losing a family pet can be devastating - as Grief Counsellor Kate Nudds explains here.
Episode 88: Lucy Carptenter
Lucy Carpenter works for HospiceUK as their Compassionate Employers Lead. This means she works with people who are around death and dying every day in hospices, as well as those who deal with the bereaved in other every day jobs. Many of us have had bad experiences trying to inform banks and utilities about the death of a loved one. Her work aims to
Episode 87: Jess Seymour
Jess Seymour - who last talked to us (Episode 28) about the untimely death of her husband Matt aged 35 is now involved in organising an Art Trail for Thames Hospice where he died. She shares her mixed emotions about this and the way the work has helped her through her grief.
Episode 86: Loiusa Nicoll
Palliative care nurse Louisa Nicoll has interesting views on choice around treatment options, more information for patients, and whether it is always a good idea to die at home:
Episode 85: Jacqueline Gunn
Jacqueline Gunn founded a company called Workplace Bereavement Advocacy - designed to train up individuals in every company to find, and befriend anyone who's been bereaved within their organisation. As so often happens, her work stems from her own bereavement - the death of her father:
Episode 84: Emma Gray
Emma Gray is a solicitor turned grief counsellor and someone who helps people through the awful 'sadmin' that's involved when we suffer a bereavement. She explains here how the tragedy of her husband's oesophageal cancer and death led her to a change of career.
Episode 83: Danni Cole
I make a return visit to the Greenacres Chiltern Living Memorial Park where I'm given a guided tour - on a rather windy day and on a noisy buggy - while I learn about the facilities in this beautiful, tranquil space particularly suited to anyone who wants a natural burial or simply to rest in nature at the end of their days.
Episode 82: Jenni McDonagh
To mark Hospice UK's Dying Matters Awareness Week, I talk to Jenni McDonagh who's keen to sing the praises of hospices after she witnessed wonderful care for her husband Nick at Thames Hospice. Since his death, she's devoted herself to fund-raising for the hospice, and an amazing sanctuary for families of children with cancer, which she runs and funds
Episode 81: Dr Lucy Pollock
Dr Lucy Pollock is a consultant geriatrician who has loads of advice about ageing well. We talk to her here about how to plan for our old age and death - and how to live healthily and well in the meantime.
Episode 80: John Adams
John Adams is a fourth generation funeral director who successfully campaigned for Bereavement, Death and Dying to be on the school curriculum. He shares his views here around why it’s so important for all of us to talk about death - and particularly for small children to learn about it at an early stage.
Episode 79: John Troyer
John Troyer has been around death and dying his entire life. and is currently Death Scholar at Large for the University of Bath. Sadly, his entire family of sister, mother and father all died within the last few years. Here, he shares how his own experience impacts his work and how his work impacts his personal grief.
Episode 78: Hazel Cooper 2
I recorded the following interview with Hazel Cooper on 6 February 2026. She had just been given a terminal diagnosis and bravely chose to speak out about this and her forthcoming death. I'm very sad to report that Hazel died in late March. But happy to say that she died at home, just as she wished, peacefully and surrounded by her three sons and her
Episode 77: Maria Bailey
Anyone bereaved know how it helps to find someone to talk to - and not just anyone but someone who's been through a similar bereavement. Maria Bailey and her team of Grief Specialists understand this - and will help you find the right help for you.
Episode 76: Rhian Mannings
Rhian Manning's charity 2wish hit the headlines recently when Prince William visited her home and was filmed becoming emotional during their chat. 2wish is designed to offer help and support to any family who've experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged under 25. As she did.
Episode 75: Joseph Cavalli-Price
When Joseph Cavalli-Price's mother was dying, he managed to find a way of playing the piano to her while in the hospice. This inspired him to set up Music in Hospices and he tells the story of his journey.
Episode 74: GreenAcres Chiltern Living Memorial Park
For this episode, we visit a Bereavement Group which meets once a month at the GreenAcres Chiltern Living Memorial Park. Here people who've lost someone recently, or long ago, meet up to swap notes and share experiences and feelings. And they share that with us.
Episode 73: Paul Calandrino
Paul 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:
Episode 72: Jane Harris
Jane 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.
Episode 71: Dr Rachael de Caux
Extraordinarily, 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.
Episode 70: Lucy Easthope
Lucy 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?
Episode 69: Nina Nannar
Nina 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.
Episode 68: Maxine and Marilyn
In 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.
Episode 67: Dr Bill Webster
Dr 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.
Episode 66: Suzanne Elvidge
Most 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.
Episode 65: Richard Chalmers
Richard 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.
Episode 64: Catherine Beer
Most 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.
Episode 63: Lee Wakeham
Lee 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 unde
Episode 62: Louise Dilllon
Louise 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.
Episode 61: Peter Cooper
Peter 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.
Episode 60: Pippa and Grace
Pippa 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.
Episode 59: Lord Kinnock
Baroness 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 s
Episode 58: Toby Porter
NOT 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.
Episode 57: Sally Lynch
For 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.
Episode 56: Lucy Potter
This 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.
Episode 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.
Episode 54: Fiona Duffy
Suicide 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.
Episode 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.
Episode 52: Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE
Natasha'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 co
Episode 51: Gini Hackett
Gini 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
Episode 50: Rebecca Peach
What 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.
Episode 49: Rachel Tegg Christmas
As 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.
Episode 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.
Episode 47: Catherine Beer - Talking to the Dying
How to talk to the dying? What to say? How to broach the subject...? Advice here from Pastoral Care worker Catherine Beer.
Episode 46: Wendy Craig
Actress 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.
Episode 45: Carolyn Mayling
This 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.
Episode 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
Episode 43: Shobha Modi
Things 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
Episode 42: Veronica Currie
People 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.
Episode 41: Sophie Hamilton
Have 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
Episode 40: Khalad Hussein
Khalad Hussein explains the Muslim approach to death and dying and how Muslims believe that their 'time is written'
Episode 39: Nula Suchet
Nula 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
Episode 38: Rachel Tegg
Rachel 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.
Episode 37: Rosie Taylor Horler
Rosie 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.
Episode 36: Maaike Gomm-Zaagsma
How 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.
Episode 35: Kevin Toolis
Kevin 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.'
Episode 34: Fernanda Reyes
Fernanda 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:
Episode 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
Episode 32: Catherine McLaughlin
Online 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
Episode 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
Episode 30: Katharine Horler
Katharine 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
Episode 29: Chris Buchanan
How 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:
Episode 28: Jess Seymour
When 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'
Episode 27: Hazel Cooper
88 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.
Episode 26: Cressida Harris
Funeral 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.
Episode 25: Dr Nikki Paul
Dr 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
Episode 24: Karnail Pannu
This 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
Episode 23: Assisted Dying
As 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.
Episode 22: Joan Bakewell
Dame 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:
Episode 21: Victoria Kibble
Have 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:
Episode 20: Catherine McClaughlin
Catherine McLaughlin, CEO of the Thames Hospice, tells how she was drawn to this work after watching her husband die
Episode 19: Shrewsbury Strollers
What 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
Episode 18: Catherine Beer Senses
How 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
Episode 17: Sid Cole
How 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
Episode 16: Ros Doherty
Ros 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.
Episode 15: Rabbi Romain
Rabbi 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.
Episode 14: Emily Cummin
Today'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
Episode 13: Baroness Meyer
This 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
Episode 12: Kathryn Gilbert
What 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.
Episode 11: the language of death and dying
Why 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.
