Browse
Grave Matters
Grave Matters
While death may be one of life’s only certainties, most of us are woefully unprepared for it. In Grave Matters, hosts Anthony Levin and Nadine J. Cohen explore grief, death care and the business of dying, asking experts the questions we’re
More
Episodes
No Planet B: Coming to Terms with Climate Collapse
Would you live your life differently if you thought humanity was doomed? You don’t have to be a nihilist to wonder whether we can survive the climate crisis. We find hope where it seems there is none and examine the idea of dying well, together. We face facts with climate policy expert and communicator David Spratt, and get a virtual hug from psychotherapist Carolyn Baker.
No Planet B: Coming to Terms with Climate Collapse
Would you live your life differently if you thought humanity was doomed? You don’t have to be a nihilist to wonder whether we can survive the climate crisis. We find hope where it seems there is none and examine the idea of dying well, together. We face facts with climate policy expert and communicator David Spratt, and get a virtual hug from psychotherapist Carolyn Baker.
48:39
29 Apr 24
Trauma’s Children: Life in the shadow of massive loss
We inherit many things from our families - heirlooms, habits, humour. But what about psychological wounds? In this episode, we discuss epigenetics, intergenerational trauma and how collective memory helps us work through catastrophic loss with Linda Thai, a therapist and former child refugee.
Trauma’s Children: Life in the shadow of massive loss
We inherit many things from our families - heirlooms, habits, humour. But what about psychological wounds? In this episode, we discuss epigenetics, intergenerational trauma and how collective memory helps us work through catastrophic loss with Linda Thai, a therapist and former child refugee.
44:11
23 Apr 24
Rise of the Death Robots: Will Death Tech change the way we die?
In this Golden Age of Innovation, we’re accustomed to making room for new technologies in daily life. But what about when we die? It turns out that breakthroughs like AI, empathic robots and ‘smart’ memorial plaques are disrupting the deathcare sector too, from how we support end-of-life to the way we memorialise. Dr Hannah Gould joins us to explain her research into DeathTech and new traditions and technologies of death rites.
Rise of the Death Robots: Will Death Tech change the way we die?
In this Golden Age of Innovation, we’re accustomed to making room for new technologies in daily life. But what about when we die? It turns out that breakthroughs like AI, empathic robots and ‘smart’ memorial plaques are disrupting the deathcare sector too, from how we support end-of-life to the way we memorialise. Dr Hannah Gould joins us to explain her research into DeathTech and new traditions and technologies of death rites.
44:58
16 Apr 24
Weird Science: How Chemistry is Helping One Woman Solve Crimes
You know how in TV crime shows, the police can always pinpoint a body’s exact time of death? Well, it seems we’ve been lied to. Forensic science hasn’t advanced quite far enough for such accuracy. But one facility in Sydney is working hard to change this. In this episode we meet Dr Maiken Ueland, Director of the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) - Australia's first facility to study the decomposition of human corpses.
Weird Science: How Chemistry is Helping One Woman Solve Crimes
You know how in TV crime shows, the police can always pinpoint a body’s exact time of death? Well, it seems we’ve been lied to. Forensic science hasn’t advanced quite far enough for such accuracy. But one facility in Sydney is working hard to change this. In this episode we meet Dr Maiken Ueland, Director of the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) - Australia's first facility to study the decomposition of human corpses.
40:32
9 Apr 24
21st-Century Plague: Has COVID-19 Changed Us Forever?
How has coronavirus changed our experience and perceptions of dying? We look at some of the socio-political implications of the pandemic and whether it will have lasting impacts on how we mourn and dispose of the dead.
21st-Century Plague: Has COVID-19 Changed Us Forever?
How has coronavirus changed our experience and perceptions of dying? We look at some of the socio-political implications of the pandemic and whether it will have lasting impacts on how we mourn and dispose of the dead.
39:42
2 Apr 24
Panning for Gold: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living and Dying
We introduced you to the concept of death doulas in the first episode of Grave Matters. But what do they actually do? We asked Sarah Tolmie, consummate death doula and possibly the nicest woman in the world, about the specifics of doula work.
Panning for Gold: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living and Dying
We introduced you to the concept of death doulas in the first episode of Grave Matters. But what do they actually do? We asked Sarah Tolmie, consummate death doula and possibly the nicest woman in the world, about the specifics of doula work.
27:24
28 Mar 24
Hospitals and Hijabs: One Woman’s Mission to Raise Death Literacy in Her Community
Have you had a near-death experience? Was there a bright light? A shadowy figure? Did your life flash before your eyes? A terrifying near-death experience changed Mariam Ardati’s whole perspective and led her to her life’s great purpose - educating her community about the practicalities of death and dying as a death doula, funeral director and educator.
Hospitals and Hijabs: One Woman’s Mission to Raise Death Literacy in Her Community
Have you had a near-death experience? Was there a bright light? A shadowy figure? Did your life flash before your eyes? A terrifying near-death experience changed Mariam Ardati’s whole perspective and led her to her life’s great purpose - educating her community about the practicalities of death and dying as a death doula, funeral director and educator.
45:29
26 Mar 24
Body and Soil: Exploring a Greener Alternative to Burial and Cremation
It’s no secret that burial and cremation are environmentally unsustainable. So how can we dispose of bodies in new, climate-friendly ways? Alternatives to burial and cremation that have a lower carbon footprint are disrupting the funeral industry all over the world. This episode explores natural organic reduction, aka human composting or terramation. It's an emerging, greener alternative to the “big two”.
Body and Soil: Exploring a Greener Alternative to Burial and Cremation
It’s no secret that burial and cremation are environmentally unsustainable. So how can we dispose of bodies in new, climate-friendly ways? Alternatives to burial and cremation that have a lower carbon footprint are disrupting the funeral industry all over the world. This episode explores natural organic reduction, aka human composting or terramation. It's an emerging, greener alternative to the “big two”.
41:08
19 Mar 24
Good Grief: The Importance of Rituals for Healing After Loss
Over thousands of years, cultures around the world have developed rituals to express and process grief. Research shows that these rituals are crucial to accepting loss. But what happens when established rituals and traditions fail to provide comfort or closure? We talk to clinical psychologist Dr Paul M. Martin and grief counsellor Rosemary Wanganeen about what to do when mourning traditions fail to satisfy us, and how we can create our own personal grief rituals.
Good Grief: The Importance of Rituals for Healing After Loss
Over thousands of years, cultures around the world have developed rituals to express and process grief. Research shows that these rituals are crucial to accepting loss. But what happens when established rituals and traditions fail to provide comfort or closure? We talk to clinical psychologist Dr Paul M. Martin and grief counsellor Rosemary Wanganeen about what to do when mourning traditions fail to satisfy us, and how we can create our own personal grief rituals.
48:43
12 Mar 24
Dead Curious: How Can We Do Death and Dying Better?
Life as we know it is changing, and so too is death. From death doulas to death cafes, bespoke funerals, and human composting, Grave Matters is your crash course in the end-of-life revolution. In this first episode, hear a fireside chat with one Australian woman leading the field. Bec Lyons is an end-of-life doula, independent funeral director, death literacy educator and family-led death care advocate.
Dead Curious: How Can We Do Death and Dying Better?
Life as we know it is changing, and so too is death. From death doulas to death cafes, bespoke funerals, and human composting, Grave Matters is your crash course in the end-of-life revolution. In this first episode, hear a fireside chat with one Australian woman leading the field. Bec Lyons is an end-of-life doula, independent funeral director, death literacy educator and family-led death care advocate.
45:32
5 Mar 24
Introducing Grave Matters
From death doulas to death cafes, bespoke family-led funerals, and climate-friendly cremation, there's a lot of disruption happening in the business of dying. But most of us are woefully unprepared to face one of life’s few certainties. Grave Matters is an SBS podcast about grief, death care and the people helping us better understand what happens at the end of the road.
Introducing Grave Matters
From death doulas to death cafes, bespoke family-led funerals, and climate-friendly cremation, there's a lot of disruption happening in the business of dying. But most of us are woefully unprepared to face one of life’s few certainties. Grave Matters is an SBS podcast about grief, death care and the people helping us better understand what happens at the end of the road.
01:58
21 Feb 24
Download the app to get the full experience
Get a fully curated daily feed based on your favourites, access to curated collections, preview every show, and much more.
