Death Cafe Manawatu

13/11/2025

Come along to the second workshop to help when planning for passing, the Advanced Care Planning workshop will be starting promptly at 10am and hosted by Melissa Hemi not the hospice this time at Whakapai Hauora chapel on Maxwells line.

Join us for discussion and morning tea

07/11/2025

*REMINDER* this is tomorrow! And yes it's a very last min reminder (sorry) I've been having technical issues with FB which left me without access to any profiles 🥲 resolved now though 🤞

Death Without Debt.

We ran this workshop in 2024 and it was hugely popular, so we're bringing it back for 2025.

Death Without Debt is a national organisation campaigning and educating on funeral debt 'dedicated to creating a future where the cost of dying doesn't add to the burden of grief'. And where 'everyone in New Zealand has the right to an affordable and dignified funeral process.'

WORKSHOPS COVER:

- Funeral planning, wills, Enduring Power of Attorney, Advanced Care Plans, probate
- After-death paperwork requirements and avoiding professional service fees
- Care and transport of the body
- When you need a coffin and when you don’t.
- The pros and cons of cremation vs burial. Alternative and environmental technologies.
- The politics and history of funerals
- Community initiatives and collective action for funeral reform
- And much more . . .

These workshops are usually $40 per person, but RECAP is subsidising this to make it more accessible. Thank you to our varied funders who make this possible.

The cost for the Ashhurst workshop is $10 waged and $5 unwaged. Registrations are essential and can be made at recap.org.nz

Hot drinks and snacks served. BYO lunch.

Presenters: Suzanne Chellius, Rachel Rose and Melissa Hemi.

To learn more: deathwithoutdebt.org.nz

02/10/2025

During Dying Matters Week we met the wonderful Nicola - A Health Improvement Practitioner, full of knowledge & resources but best of all - a really quick turn around time on appointments through your GP AND you can self refer. It's the best kept secret! Here's some engagement happening locally next week 🤩

🧠✨ Top Up Together – Mental Health Awareness Week

📅 6–10 October 2025

Join us for a week of free community activities designed to boost your wellbeing and help us all top up together!

We’ll be running movement, mindfulness, and creative sessions in Palmerston North, Ashhurst, Pahiatua, and Woodville across the week, exploring fun ways to add activity and creativity into your day. It’s all about connection, wellbeing, and making time for what matters.

✅ Registration is helpful but not required – just come along!

📍 Register your interest here: https://forms.office.com/r/WiTA5hDAg6

Let’s come together to recharge, reconnect, and support each other. 💚

01/10/2025

RIL Jane Goodall. What a legacy you have left, phenomenal life ❤️‍🩹🙏

We just heard that Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91.
Many remember Jane for her work with Chimpanzees and her activist work for animals and for the planet. Last year she spoke of her "next big adventure" which would be death.
"If there's nothing, then there's nothing, that's it. If it's something, then I can't think of a greater adventure than finding out what it is".

24/09/2025

That's a big number 😔

The funeral home has put a call out for people to contact them about the ashes.

18/09/2025

Donna Ashworth has long been one of my favorite poets for her beautiful and lovingly crafted words around grief & loss 🫶

Love yourself harder.

Someone needs this today ❤️

D x

I had to include this in my next book because it’s one of my most shared pieces and the concept is so vital. My love to all grieving ###

From ‘Joy chose you’ 📗

16/09/2025

Our beautiful Mel will be helping to hold space for this important kōrero 😇
Ashhurst - Sat Nov 8th ✅

Death Without Debt.

We ran this workshop in 2024 and it was hugely popular, so we're bringing it back for 2025.

Death Without Debt is a national organisation campaigning and educating on funeral debt 'dedicated to creating a future where the cost of dying doesn't add to the burden of grief'. And where 'everyone in New Zealand has the right to an affordable and dignified funeral process.'

WORKSHOPS COVER:

- Funeral planning, wills, Enduring Power of Attorney, Advanced Care Plans, probate
- After-death paperwork requirements and avoiding professional service fees
- Care and transport of the body
- When you need a coffin and when you don’t.
- The pros and cons of cremation vs burial. Alternative and environmental technologies.
- The politics and history of funerals
- Community initiatives and collective action for funeral reform
- And much more . . .

These workshops are usually $40 per person, but RECAP is subsidising this to make it more accessible. Thank you to our varied funders who make this possible.

The cost for the Ashhurst workshop is $10 waged and $5 unwaged. Registrations are essential and can be made at recap.org.nz

Hot drinks and snacks served. BYO lunch.

Presenters: Suzanne Chellius, Rachel Rose and Melissa Hemi.

To learn more: deathwithoutdebt.org.nz

09/09/2025

(TW: Su***de)

The statistics in Aotearoa tell a hard story - September 10th is International Su***de Prevention Day.

Our tāne (men) are almost 3 times more likely to die by su***de, and our rangatahi (youth) face some of the highest rates in the country.

But statistics don’t tell us everything.

They don’t tell us the strength in small conversations, or the power of sitting with someone in their pain.

On International Su***de Prevention Day, I want to remind you: your story matters, your presence matters. Please reach out if you’re struggling and be kind to each other. 💛

📞 Where to get support (24/7, free):

Need to Talk? Call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counselor

Lifeline 0800 543 354

Depression Helpline 0800 111 757

Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

If you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, call 111

🌐 More info and resources:

Home

09/09/2025

1 - something by artist Mac Miller.
2 - Soberity, 5yrs & counting.
3 - Not saying I love you enough.
4 - Not sure, lol I'm funny about my own birthday.
5 - A boy named Raymond.
6 - Too many lessons, maybe don't grow up before your time or always find "child like" wonder in the world.
7 - I haven't made my mind up on this yet and maybe I never will but there is comfort in knowing no one really knows!

Sometimes we don't think to ask questions about our loved ones until it's too late. You don't have to wait until they're dying to hear their stories (although if that's the only chance you have, then of course you should ask them!) If you have a chance, record it.

Here are just a few suggestions. Would you add anything?