What happens when I die? brings conversations about death back to life
Australian Unity’s podcast What happens when I die? has launched its second season, with host Anna Hacker on a mission to break this conversational taboo and help listeners understand the practicalities of death – be it legal, monetary, or physical elements of post-mortem.
Conversations surrounding death in Australia are largely avoided. In fact, more than half of Australians do not have a will or post-mortem preparations made, and of those, 40 per cent have no idea what happens to their assets in the event of them passing away without a will prepared.
Anna Hacker, Principal of Australian Unity Trustees Legal Services, will be joined by special and expert guests every episode to participate in candid discussions on death - which she says listeners should not shy away from.
“We really wanted to be able to open up the conversation on death and empower people with information on what happens to your family, belongings, wealth and body when you die, because there’s such a widespread lack of knowledge on the topic,” Ms Hacker said.
“It’s staggering how many Australians aren’t prepared for their own passing. We know that 16 per cent of those without wills don’t have one because they don’t want to think about dying, and by bringing up these sometimes difficult or uncomfortable conversations early, people can take off a lot of pressure away from their loved ones once they’re gone.”
The first episode of the new season, What to say before you die?, was released on Sunday 8 August to coincide with Dying To Know Day. Guest Jessie Williams discusses her work with The Groundswell Project, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to increase death literacy amongst Australians by providing resources and information to workplaces and communities.
Episodes will be released fortnightly, and other guest appearances include the likes of comedian Kitty Flanagan, who plays a probate lawyer in her newest television series Fisk, and Simon Fuller, an accomplished barrister specialising in family and commercial law.
Anna Hacker, Principal of Australian Unity Trustees Legal Services, will be joined by special and expert guests every episode to participate in candid discussions on death - which she says listeners should not shy away from.
“We really wanted to be able to open up the conversation on death and empower people with information on what happens to your family, belongings, wealth and body when you die, because there’s such a widespread lack of knowledge on the topic,” Ms Hacker said.
“It’s staggering how many Australians aren’t prepared for their own passing. We know that 16 per cent of those without wills don’t have one because they don’t want to think about dying, and by bringing up these sometimes difficult or uncomfortable conversations early, people can take off a lot of pressure away from their loved ones once they’re gone.”
The first episode of the new season, What to say before you die?, was released on Sunday 8 August to coincide with Dying To Know Day. Guest Jessie Williams discusses her work with The Groundswell Project, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to increase death literacy amongst Australians by providing resources and information to workplaces and communities.
Episodes will be released fortnightly, and other guest appearances include the likes of comedian Kitty Flanagan, who plays a probate lawyer in her newest television series Fisk, and Simon Fuller, an accomplished barrister specialising in family and commercial law.