By Derek Schlennstedt
Death. It’s hardly the go-to topic of conversation with your partner after a hard day at the office.
But most of us go to such lengths to avoid talking about it – ever – with our loved ones that we may as well believe that dying doesn’t actually happen.
The recently formed Yarra Ranges Community DeathCare Collective is bucking that trend and hosting an inaugural Yarra Ranges Dying to Know Expo.
This expo coincides with the nationally recognised Dying to Know Day on Thursday 8 August, and aims to engage and empower the community around all aspects of death, dying and bereavement.
The four day event at the Tecoma Uniting Church, from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 August, will be full of interesting ways to tackle the challenging topic of having conversations around death and contemplating our mortality.
Christina Reeves who is leading the project explained that the program will be presented in an inclusive and gentle way.
“We are offering a diverse and inclusive range of family friendly educational experiences and activities to make this information accessible to all including a range of stalls and displays, talks, workshops, documentary screenings, music, art, therapy, dance, ritual and interactive experiences for people of all ages.”
Speaking to the Mail Ms Reeves said that death, and dying has become a taboo topic and that the program hoped to unpack the topic.
She said the expo is particularly poignant due Victoria passing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act.
“Many people are not aware of the choices available to them and what their rights are, resulting in people dying in ways that are not congruent with their values, culture,” said local End of Life Consultant, founder of the Yarra Ranges Community DeathCare Collective and instigator of the Dying to Know Expo Christina Reeves.
“We have gradually handed over the process of death and dying to the medical and funeral Institutions where some feel it has become impersonal, clinical and sterile.”
“We feel passionate about bringing death and dying back into the hands of the community and changing the way we think and act around death.”
Volunteers have compiled a range of interactive, creative, artistic and informative opportunities and there is a range of workshops and talks that will feature throughout the four day event.
For more information visit:https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Lists/Events/Community-Day-Yarra-Ranges-Dying-to-Know-Expo
