Program
The Expo invites open conversations about death, dying, and end-of-life planning.
Across the day, you’ll hear from four guest speakers, join informal discussions at the Compassionate Community Lounge with its hosted Death Cafés, and take part in Q&A Panels on topics such as Funeral Planning, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), Legal and Advance Care Planning.
Compassionate Communities Lounge
Death Cafés will be held by Ali Mills - Grief Guide
Q & A Panels
10.35am-11.20am
Many Faiths, One Farewell: A Cultural Q & A
This panel brings together representatives from diverse spiritual and cultural backgrounds to share how different traditions understand, approach, and honour death.
Through open discussion, explores beliefs about dying, rituals, grief practices, and what happens after death, offering insight into both the differences and shared values across faiths.
At its core, the panel is about connection, respect, and recognising the many ways people find meaning in life’s final chapter.
Facilitator: Kerena McDonald
Panel Members:
TBA
11.25am-12.25pm
Legal & Advance Care Planning
A session on legal documents and discussions that help communicate end-of-life preferences. Topics include Advance Care Directives, enduring powers of attorney, wills, and planning.
Facilitator: Lisa Herbert
Panel Members:
Amanda Schmidt (Kennedy Spanner Lawyers) Toni Simpson (Consumer)
12.55pm-1.40pm
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) & Palliative Care
This session considers the role of palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illness and its relation to VAD. The panel will cover goals of care, legal and ethical factors, and family options.
Facilitator: Kerena McDonald
Panel Members:
Karen MacKellar (VAD QHealth) Dr Paul Stack (QHealth)
1.45pm-2.15pm
Funeral Planning 101
An overview of funeral planning processes, including burial, cremation, costs, legal requirements, and personalisation for both pre-planning and arranging services.
Facilitator: Lisa Herbert
Panel Members:
Jenny Lazell (Burstows), Greg Fraser (Foresters Financial), Mortuary,
2.20pm-2.55pm
Breaking Ground
Discussion of cemeteries as cultural landscapes, historical archives, and changing social environments. The panel addresses planning, preservation, and changes in cemetery use.
Facilitator: Kerena McDonald
Panel Members:
Robert Wagner (Heritage Stonecraft and Design), Ben Kelly (ACCA), Lisa Herbert (The Bottom Draw Book)