Episode Details

Back to Episodes

Preparing Children for Funerals, Millie and Tom, and Gail Eaton-Briggs on Remembering Nanny

Season 3 Episode 112 Published 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Description

What if there is no such thing as a child being too young for a funeral?

In this episode, I sit down with Gail Eaton-Briggs, a Tasmanian author, celebrant, leadership coach and founder of EveryWhen Solutions. With more than 40 years of experience in early childhood education, child safety and leadership, and as an authorised celebrant since 2006, Gail has supported hundreds of families through funerals and celebrations of life.

Gail's new picture book, Remembering Nanny: Milly and Tom's First Funeral, follows two young children through the days after their grandmother's death, from the morning they find Mum crying on the back steps, through choosing what to take with them, to the funeral itself and the small, tender rituals that help a family grieve together. We talk about why she believes there is no such thing as “too young” for a funeral, the box of teddy bears she keeps in the boot of her car for children who need a hug, and why a beautiful picture book alone wasn't enough, so she wrote a companion guide too.

Gail shares some of the most memorable services she has led, including an unexpectedly joyful celebration at a group home and the loved ones who asked to reopen the curtains so they could keep the coffin company over morning tea. We also talk about her earlier book, Conscious Grit: From Stuck to Unstoppable, the personal tipping point that led her to leave a senior public service career, and the head, heart and gut model she now uses in her coaching and leadership work.

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

Take care, 

Catherine.

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.

SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

The free 3-minute Critical Info Check helps you see what you’ve already got covered — and what your next step could be.

Three minutes. One next step.

Go to gettingstarted.criticalinfo.com.au

Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays —
free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.

No pressure.
 No expectation.

Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —
 it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.

Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events

Support the show

YOUR NEXT STEP

Take the free 3-minute Critical Info Check to see what you’ve already got covered — and what your next step could be.

https://gettingstarted.criticalinfo.com.au/

NEED SUPPORT?

The Critical Info Resource Hub connects you with organisations and services offering grief, bereavement and other practical support.

https://criticalinfo.com.au/support/

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING

Join Critical Chat Tuesday, a free online conversation every Tuesday at 7pm Melbourne time.

Find out more:

https://criticalinfo.com.au/events

IF SOMEONE HAS DIED

If someone you love has died, our After-Death Guide — My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now? — provides practical guidance to help you navigate what needs to happen next.

Listen Now