Dying To Know

Grief and Leaving the Funeral Industry with Andrew Blanche

Andrew Blanche spent years working as a funeral director and celebrant. He sat with families in the early days of grief, helped them navigate decisions, and witnessed what happens when people are given space to show up honestly in the middle of loss. In this conversation with Belinda, Andrew reflects on what led him into the funeral industry and why he eventually chose to leave it. They speak about burnout, emotional labour, and the reality of holding space for others when you're not fully holding space for yourself. Andrew also shares what he’s learned about grief, ritual and silence. This episode is steady, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience. It offers a rare, honest look behind the scenes of an industry most people never get to see. Dying to Know is created by Leaving Legacies. To learn more, visit leavinglegacies.co.nz [http://leavinglegacies.co.nz] or follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leavinglegaciesnz?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Leaving-Legacies-NZ/61556691277621/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Energy, Intuition, and Letting Grief Move Through You with Kathryn Gordon

Kathryn Gordon is an energy healer and the founder of Soul Activation. In this conversation with Belinda, she shares how grief shaped her work. And how she helps others process the emotions they’ve stored away. They talk about how emotion shows up in the body, how to move through grief without bypassing it, and why trusting your intuition can bring clarity when logic can’t. Kathryn explains what happens in an energy healing session, how she supports people with unresolved emotion, and why she always tells clients they’re the ones doing the healing..not her. This episode is about slowing down, listening to what your body already knows, and letting emotion do what it’s meant to do. Dying to Know is created by Leaving Legacies. To learn more, visit leavinglegacies.co.nz [http://leavinglegacies.co.nz] or follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leavinglegaciesnz?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Leaving-Legacies-NZ/61556691277621/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Long Goodbye: Early-Onset Alzheimer’s and Losing Her Mum Twice with Keri Kitay

What does it mean to lose someone twice? Keri Kitay was in her late twenties when her mum, Terry, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 54. In the years that followed, Keri and her family faced the slow, painful process of losing her. Memory by memory, function by function, until her death nearly a decade later. In this episode, Keri joins Belinda to talk about what that looked like up close. She shares how her family navigated the early signs, the diagnosis, and the brutal logistics of care. You’ll hear what helped, what hurt, and what we all need to understand about dementia…especially when it shows up young. Keri also shares why she chose not to get tested for the Alzheimer’s gene, what she’s doing instead, and how writing The Long Goodbye helped her process her grief.  You can purchase Keri’s book here: https://www.kkprojects.co/thelonggoodbye [https://www.kkprojects.co/thelonggoodbye] Dying to Know is created by Leaving Legacies. To learn more, visit leavinglegacies.co.nz [http://leavinglegacies.co.nz] or follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leavinglegaciesnz?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Leaving-Legacies-NZ/61556691277621/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What Is Water Cremation? A Cleaner, Gentler Option with Debbie Richards

Water cremation is now available in Aotearoa, and Debbie Richards is the reason why. In this episode, Belinda speaks with Debbie, a former nurse and midwife who spent nearly seven years working to bring water cremation to New Zealand. After witnessing the impact of traditional funeral care, Debbie became determined to offer something more sustainable, affordable, and dignified. She explains how water cremation works, what actually happens to the body, and how this process compares to flame cremation and burial. Debbie also shares the personal story behind why she mortgaged her house to make this happen, and what it meant to open the doors of her Christchurch facility. This conversation explores legacy, climate impact, cultural change, and the importance of offering families real choice at the end of life. Dying to Know is created by Leaving Legacies. To learn more, visit leavinglegacies.co.nz [http://leavinglegacies.co.nz] or follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leavinglegaciesnz?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Leaving-Legacies-NZ/61556691277621/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Death Without Debt: What You Need to Know with Gaylene Delaney

Funerals in Aotearoa can cost more than $13,000. Half of the people planning one this week won’t be able to afford it. In this episode, Belinda speaks with end-of-life doula Gaylene Delaney about the Death Without Debt movement. Gaylene is one of several volunteers running workshops across the country to teach people how to care for their dead, plan ahead, and avoid unnecessary financial stress. You’ll learn what costs are essential, what the law allows, and how to take care of a loved one at home. From legal paperwork to shroud boards to registering a death online, this episode lays out the practical steps most people don’t know they’re allowed to take. Death care doesn't need to be outsourced. This conversation is about reclaiming your choices, reducing harm, and making grief more human. Dying to Know is created by Leaving Legacies. To learn more, visit leavinglegacies.co.nz [http://leavinglegacies.co.nz] or follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leavinglegaciesnz?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Leaving-Legacies-NZ/61556691277621/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.