When Death Gets a Seat at the Table: My Weekend at the Good 2 Go Festival

This past weekend, I had the absolute privilege of attending the Good 2 Go Festival (https://www.g2gproject.com.au/about) a festival / expo about death, dying, and everything we do not talk about (but really should). It was a space for big feelings, brave conversations, and brilliant humans trying to make death a little less scary and a lot more human.

One of the biggest moments for me? Sitting on a panel with none other than Hellen Callanan from Preparing the Way—a true pioneer in end-of-life doula work here in Australia. Meeting her felt wonderful. She is someone who has paved the way (pun fully intended), and there I was, sitting beside her, sharing my work and what I do. I was shocked, overwhelmed, and honestly a little teary—but mostly? I was very proud.

There were many conversations on the day - we spoke about what it means to be an end-of-life doula in 2025, and the many shapes our work takes. My role is very much at the coalface—working with people who are actively dying, offering family support, and continuing to walk alongside them after death too, often through personalised memorial services and grief support. It can be hard - but I love what I do. and?. It is needed.

End of life doulas fill the gaps that the medical system cannot provide (believe me, I am a palliative care nurse for over 10 years - I get it and understand. There are many (so many) beautiful, caring, kind Palliative care nurses - the majority in the region I know and get to call friends. But - we do not have the time for what is so, so needed - and that is to give families and the dying the time they DESERVE by the bedside.

That is where end of life doulas come in. Think the holding space. The bedside vigils. The washing with family led support. The presence. The liaising with families and health care professionals. The support for funeral planning. The legacy work. The advance care planning. The supporting of cleaning and taking clothes away when that time comes. The grief work. The education - there is so, so much to what end of life doulas do - and it deserves to be recognised - and I will be frank?. We deserve a seat at the table.

Here is the thing: end-of-life doulas are doing vital work in our communities, and yet we are still an unregulated profession in Australia. That needs to change. We deserve a seat at the table—in hospitals, in palliative care, in funeral planning, and in policy-making. Our work is real. It is rigorous. And it is built on compassion, skill, and deep, meaningful service. Regulation is not about rules—it is about recognition, standards, and safety for the people we support.

I was also incredibly proud to show the Shotton Parmed Cuddle Cooling Blanket, made possible through the generous support of Business Women Albury Wodonga. This tool allows families to spend more time with their loved ones after death, in their own home, in their own time. It is gentle. It’ is sacred. It is unique. And clearly, it is needed—because I have already received three phone calls today alone from people wanting to know more. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

Being part of the Good 2 Go Festival reminded me why I do what I do. It lit a fire in my belly. We are changing the death space in Australia—one conversation, one cooling blanket, one raw and honest panel at a time. and if all but one person does not die alone?. The late nights, early starts, and sacrifices have been worth it.

Kara x