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Death, with Cath Brew

Expat Family Connection

Release Date: 12/07/2020

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Re-thinking how we approach death: Do you want to take care of things yourself or hire a funeral director? What are your options, really, as an expat? In this episode we talk about some of the financial and legal barriers that complicate things for families abroad, and emotional and physical needs of those who are grieving.

“It's really important to understand that grief is not something that has a set trajectory. It's a long process and you need to physically experience it in your body to kind of expel it. You can't intellectualize it. You have to physically feel it. And your body has to get used to the fact that there is this difference. And that physicality of it makes it a completely consuming experience.”

My guest Cath Brew recommends having conversations with your loved ones ahead of time so you’re much more prepared for whatever the choices might be, and so you’re making decisions when you’re not in grief. 

In this episode we talk about

  • To stay or go? Knowing what you can live with;
  • Soft inroads to start conversations around dying;
  • What to say (and not say) to kids about death;
  • Continuing your relationship with someone after they’ve died;
  • Death doulas and soul midwives;

and so much more.

RESOURCES mentioned in the episode: 

The Soul Midwives’ Handbook: The Holistic and Spiritual Care of the Dying by Felicity Warner   

Dying Matters

Macmillan Care

Another resource for advance care planning (not mentioned by name in the episode): Five Wishes

RATHER READ? I’ve got you covered with a transcript and blog post

ENJOYED THIS EPISODE?

ABOUT TODAY’S GUEST:

Cath Brew runs Drawn to a Story and works to illustrate and educate about marginalised experiences for positive change - with a focus on Identity, Belonging and Expat Life. Cath is the author/illustrator of 'Living Elsewhere', a book of 100 cartoons about what it's like to live a global life. She also creates custom illustrations as gifts and works as Senior Designer at Summertime Publishing and Springtime Books (publishers of books by expats for expats). In addition, Cath runs 'Crock-of-**it-free Spiritual Guidance' helping people who feel lost and confused find relief and release emotional wounds, especially around bereavement. Clients tell Cath that she gives them a sense of hope, wholeness and inner peace.

CONNECT with Cath Brew:

Visit my website to sign up to the mailing list: www.drawntoastory.com

My book 'Living Elsewhere' - Available from my website, or it can be bought via The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping) or at Amazon.

'Crock-of-**it-free Spiritual Guidance': I help people who feel lost, are struggling with unresolved trauma or held back by insecurities to find relief and release their emotional wounds, especially around bereavement. Currently, all my clients come via word of mouth. This work is not directly part of my public presence in the expat community although it does relate to exploring our identity and belonging to ourselves. I will be launching publicly in 2021.

Email Cath

Instagram: @DrawnToAStory

Facebook

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Kim Adams is an American raising three daughters along with her math-teaching husband of 20 years. She loves photography, reading, thunderstorms, walking on the beach, camping where there are no bugs, and has a weakness for mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

To set up a conversation with Kim to learn how she can support you, go to ResilientExpats.com/Adapt and hit “Apply Now.”

CONNECT WITH KIM: 

Email

Resilient Expats LLC website

Facebook page

Free Parents Community on Facebook

Apply Now for 1:1 Support to smooth your transitions & maximize your expat experience

Affiliate Links: Some links may be affiliate referrals. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.