Episode Details

Welcome to another episode of 'Don't Be Caught Dead' where we shine a light on the topic many of us shy away from – death.

This week, we're joined by a special guest, Jackie Slater, an authorised marriage and funeral celebrant. Jackie's spent over 40 years working in the funeral industry, and her journey in this industry is as intriguing as it is inspiring.

In this episode, Jackie unravels her career journey, from starting as a 'Saturday girl' doing admin work for a funeral director, to becoming the manager of a cemetery and crematorium. Along the way, she's seen it all – from good funerals, to the bad and mediocre ones, which led Jackie to become a funeral celebrant herself. She shares her experiences of working with families to create personal, meaningful ceremonies, and the challenges she's encountered in this process.

We also dive into Jackie's role as the president of the Funeral Celebrants Association of Australia, and how this role intertwines with her duties as a funeral celebrant. Jackie shares insights on the shift from traditional, religious funerals to more personalised, secular ceremonies, and the importance of open conversations about death in our families.

Key points from this episode:

• Jackie’s journey from a 'Saturday girl' to a funeral celebrant
• Challenges faced by the families while planning for a ceremony
• The shift from traditional funerals to more personalised ceremonies
• Role of a celebrant in creating a meaningful ceremony

No matter where you are in your understanding or acceptance of death, this episode is sure to provide valuable insights. As always, we're here to encourage open conversations about death, dying, and everything in between.

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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