Today the world mourns and celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela. From the news coverage on the BBC it seems the people of South Africa see this more as a time to celebrate his life than mourn his death. Listening to the radio, I heard two young boys being asked if they were sorry he was dead. […]
Nigel George
White mice, Nazis, Elephants and my Mum
As I tucked in to my BLT, minus the lettuce, who has lettuce for breakfast? I reflected I’d driven 500 miles in the last few days visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Peterborough. Birmingham to see my mum Maureen. 84 years of age and still a natural blond! She looks damn good for it. Spread across her […]
Death and dementia – the last taboos? – Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall
Sue Ryder do some fantastic work in palliative care. When they invited me to help run a Death Café at Thorpe Hall I jumped at the chance. The last one went so well we have another coming up. We wont only be talking about death but also about dementia. This may sound gloomy stuff but […]
The Death Cafe is back in Bury St Edmunds
Back in the Spring we ran a series of drop in Death Cafes in Bury St Edmunds, which were well received. We’ve decided to continue to run them monthly up until Christmas. You’re very welcome to come along for all or part of the evening Life, death and doughnuts 23rd September, 28th October, 25th November, […]
Death in Italy
San Quirico Tuscany I’m sitting by my Tuscan swimming pool as I write. As I’m touching on the subject of death and the Catholic church, I’m conscious of a large chasm opening in front of me. With that in mind, unless its clear to the contrary, all thoughts and comments are mine and mine alone. […]
Does our desire for the good life cause us to isolate those who remind us of our mortality?
The Death Cafe is pretty big in the USA. My American cousins were visiting recently and hadn’t heard of it. My Cousin Marilyn has just sent me an article from her local paper which I reproduce below. I was particularly struck by the paragraph that I’ve highlighted. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By BILL WARD Aug. 5, […]
Law on Intestacy to change?
The government put forward in the House of Lords this week, The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Bill It aims to reform and simplify the distribution of the estate of someone who dies intestate (without making a will) in England and Wales. A surviving spouse (or civil partner) will automatically inherit the estate of an intestate […]
Life, death and George Osborne with the Bury St Edmunds Chamber
Nigel George talks to the Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce First Friday Club Bury St Edmunds Chamber website: http://burystedmundschamber.org/ Every year since I’ve been a member of the Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce, they have been kind enough to invite me along to speak to the First Friday Club. They are a lovely […]
Whose kidney is it?
What is the most precious thing you can leave when you die? Is it your house, your car? or is it the gift of life? According to the BBC, three people die each day due to a lack of organ donors. Your life may have ended but by donating your organs others can live. Your […]
The Death Cafe comes to Saffron Walden
The life, death, cake and contemplation road show, the hallmark of all good Death Cafe’s, is on its way to Saffron Walden. It’s going to be run by Ritama Rudder and Maneesha James. They both came to the last Café we ran in Bury St Edmunds. Their warm, thoughtful and generous approach helped make the […]