Posts by Journease

When someone chooses to die at home, the environment around them becomes one of the most important parts of the care. Creating a sacred space is not about perfection or aesthetics; it is about intention. A sacred space supports comfort, dignity, connection, and meaning during one of life’s most profound transitions.  What Makes a Space “Sacred”?  A sacred space…

Choosing to die at home is a deeply personal decision. Many people express a strong wish to spend their final days in familiar surroundings, supported by people they know and trust. While the idea of dying at home can feel comforting, the reality is often less talked about and may be poorly understood. Knowing what…

For many people, the holidays are a time of connection, celebration, and tradition. But when you’re caring for someone who is dying, grieving a recent loss, or living with anticipatory grief, the festive season can feel overwhelming. Expectations to be cheerful can clash with exhaustion, sadness, or uncertainty. This is where the quiet, steady presence…

Fear is one of the most common and least spoken-about experiences surrounding death. It can arise for the person who is dying and for those who love them, often manifesting as anxiety, avoidance, conflict, or a sense of being overwhelmed. End-of-life doulas play a vital role in easing these fears by providing steady, informed, and…

Advance Care Planning is the process of thinking about, discussing, and documenting your preferences for future health care. In Victoria, it provides a clear legal framework to ensure your wishes are understood and respected if you lose decision-making capacity due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. At its heart, Advance Care Planning is about autonomy,…

It breaks my heart each time I hear a story of an impersonal, rushed or too-expensive funeral that at best was devoid of meaning and at worst did long-lasting harm to those left behind. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of family-led funerals, where everything is tailored to the memory of…

When someone we love is dying, we often find ourselves in uncharted territory navigating powerful emotions, complex decisions, and unfamiliar logistics. It can be an overwhelming time, and many families don’t know where to turn for help that feels both human and grounded. This is where end-of-life doulas step in. End-of-life doulas, sometimes called death…

You may not have noticed, but over the past few years a quiet revolution has been taking place in how we farewell our loved ones. Many families today are stepping away from rigid traditions and commercialised funeral practices to reclaim the right to say goodbye in their own way. This movement, often called home funerals or family-led funerals, is about returning choice, meaning, and…

Receiving a terminal diagnosis is among life’s most challenging moments. The swirl of disbelief, fear, and grief can feel overwhelming. While deeply painful, this moment can also be a turning point toward clarity, autonomy, and peace. It Is Not Either-Or When dealing with a life-limiting illness, patients and their families can sometimes fall into the…

The Journease team is holding two FREE events in recognition of Dying to Know Day on Friday, 8 August to help demystify death, dying, and bereavement. This national initiative encourages Australians to engage in open conversations about end-of-life choices and support. You’ll hear from end-of-life planner Malia Dewse, Death Doula Candace Ohanessian, and End-of-Life Coach Iain McKinnon—trained and experienced…