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Death appears in whispers and shadows throughout our lives, yet we rarely make space to truly understand it. In this enlightening conversation, Robyn O'Connell speaks with her nephew Luke O'Connell about his transformative journey as a hospice volunteer in Busselton, Western Australia.

Luke's path into end-of-life care began with personal experiences that subtly guided him toward this sacred space, what started as curiosity evolved into a calling that has fundamentally changed his outlook on life.

Through Luke's thoughtful reflections, we discover hospice care extends far beyond our common perception as simply "the place people go to die." We learn about the comprehensive training volunteers receive, the variety of reasons patients enter hospice care, and the remarkable ways this work ripples through every aspect of a volunteer's life.

Perhaps most striking are the universal lessons Luke has gleaned about what truly matters. "What I don't hear is anybody saying 'geez, I wish I worked harder and I wish I made more money and I wish I bought that extra jet ski,'" he observes about those nearing life's end. Instead, connections, relationships, and time spent with loved ones emerge as the real treasures we collect through our journey.

Whether you're curious about hospice care, contemplating volunteering, or simply seeking perspective on what matters most in life, Luke's insights offer a gentle invitation to approach death not with fear but with openness and compassion. As he says, "Death strips away social barriers - you get to see people as they really are, and it's beautiful."

Ready to explore your own relationship with mortality? Listen now and discover how embracing end-of-life conversations might just teach you how to live more fully.

Contact Luke:

Busselton Hospice Care Inc: https://busseltonhospicecareinc.org.au/

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email ask@ladyofdeath.com.au to have them answered in a future episode.

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What does it truly mean to die with dignity?

Behind the clinical terminology and medical frameworks lies a deeply human experience that most healthcare systems aren't equipped to honour.

In this powerful conversation, Callie Watt takes us through her 31-year nursing odyssey from remote indigenous communities to emergency departments, and finally to founding Wattletree Health Group – a private nursing service determined to transform end-of-life care.

The reality Callie reveals is both sobering and hopeful. While 85% of people express wishes to die at home, our healthcare system remains structured around institutional endings.

What makes this conversation truly exceptional is Callie's philosophy on authentic connection. Rather than the clinical detachment we often associate with healthcare providers, she advocates for genuine presence. This approach represents a profound shift from traditional models focused on efficiency rather than experience.

Whether you're facing end-of-life decisions, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how we might better approach our final chapter, this episode offers vital insights into reclaiming death as a dignified, human-centered experience. Join us as we explore what it means to raise the standard of care when it matters most.

Callie Watt is the founder of Wattletree Health Group
Phone: 03 9140 0944
Email: contact@wattletreehealthgroup.com.au
Website: https://wattletreehealthgroup.com.au/

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email ask@ladyofdeath.com.au to have them answered in a future episode.

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In this candid conversation, cemetery veteran Shane Freeman takes us inside his world as Senior Supervisor of Funeral Services at Lilydale Memorial Park.
With refreshing honesty and occasional humour, he walks us through the mechanics of cremation—addressing the questions most people are afraid to ask. From the technical details to the emotional realities, Shane demystifies the process while maintaining the dignity it deserves.

Beyond the mechanics, this episode explores the deeper purpose of cemeteries as sacred spaces where grief finds expression without judgment.
The most powerful moments come when Shane reveals the personal toll and rewards of his work. Far from becoming desensitised, his emotion shows when discussing friends he's cremated, demonstrating how professionals in this field maintain their humanity while providing essential services.

Whether you're curious about what happens after we die, seeking to understand the grief process, or simply fascinated by professions rarely discussed openly, this conversation will transform how you think about death and those who care for us in our final moments.

Send your questions about death care to ask@ladyofdeath.com.au—because talking about death won't kill you, but it might help you live better.

Have questions about death, dying or the funeral industry? Email ask@ladyofdeath.com.au to have them answered in a future episode.