Death on the Daily Miraculous moments of human connection and community in death & grief with Queer death doula Jamie Thrower
Today I’m joined by Jamie Thrower, who is a Queer death doula, educator, and founder of Queer Grief Club.
We explore what it really means to show up at the threshold of death, and why so many grief spaces still don’t feel safe or welcoming for Queer people.
This episode is for anyone who has ever grieved, ever supported someone through loss, or ever wondered how we can build a world where everyone including the Queer community are held in death and grief with dignity, compassion, care and belonging.
Key takeaways:
- How death care is community care.
- Why Queer death & grief is often unsupported in our systems.
- The importance of finding community and care with shared lived experience.
- What true presence looks like at the end of life.
- The awe, tenderness and connection that can exist during the dying process.
- How connecting into nature can be a beautiful gateway to being present with death.
- The power of paperwork and advocacy in protecting queer people at end of life.
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support.
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You can connect with Jamie Thrower here:
* Website: https://www.jamiethrower.com
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queergriefclub/
* Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/QueerGriefClub
* Substack: https://jamiethrower.substack.com
This episode is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: davidstrutt2@gmail.com
The theme music for Death on the Daily is Set Free by Katie Gray, which is used with artist's permission.
You can connect with Katie and her music and beautiful Empowered Heart work here https://www.katiegray.com
Chapters:
00:00: Intro and welcome to Death on the Daily02:00: Welcome Jamie Thrower. Childhood loss and discovering mortality early08:05: Ordinary moments that become extraordinary at the end10:25: How to show up for someone who is dying14:05: Pushing through the fear and discomfort of death21:55: Why kids and adults benefit from being included in death24:40: The intersections of identity in grief - harm within the medical system29:55: The loneliness of trying to grieve in spaces not built for Queer families32:05: Why Queer specific grief spaces matter35:05: Paperwork, agency and protecting queer people at the end of life43:20: Death care as community care