Questions about Taboo Education

Death education, sometimes called death literacy, is the knowledge and skills to interact and make decisions on topics regarding death and dying. It is not just about grief and end-of-life decisions. It is an acceptance of death as a natural part of life, and something that will impact our entire lifespan and wellbeing.

Most Australians have very little of it, not because they haven't thought about death, but because nobody has ever given them the language, the tools, or the space to do so. Death education gives people that language, those tools, and the confidence to talk about death, dying, and grief openly, before a crisis forces the conversation.

It is practical, compassionate learning that helps individuals, families, and communities support themselves and each other before, during, and after loss.

No. We're not affiliated with any religion. We respect all faiths and cultural traditions and adapt language and examples accordingly. We focus on death, grief, communication, care, and practical supports, not doctrines about the afterlife.

We have a saying here at Taboo Education: whatever happens to your soul, aura, or spirit is between you and whatever god you believe in. We are simply here to talk about the actual body.

Everyone. We work with individuals and families, schools and universities, health and aged-care teams, community groups, workplaces, and faith and cultural organisations. If people gather and care for each other, we can help.

We deliver keynotes, workshops, and professional development that make hard conversations easier. We bring language, tools, and practical skills around death, dying, and grief to workplaces, schools, healthcare teams, and community groups.

Most people struggle to talk about death not because they don't care, but because nobody has ever given them the words. That is what we provide - the language to start the conversation, the confidence to continue it, and the frameworks to make it useful.

In person across Australia (travel by arrangement) and online. In-person delivery is strongly recommended wherever possible, these are human conversations that benefit from being in the room together. Content is tailored to your goals, audience, and context: age-appropriate, trauma-aware, and aligned with your policies or protocols where needed.

Clear content notes, opt-in invitations, "step-out/step-back" options, reflective pacing, and support pathways. We follow child-safety and mandatory-reporting obligations and can coordinate with your wellbeing or HR teams.

No. Sam has always despised the passive, hushed, clinical presentation style that most people associate with anything death-related. That approach doesn't protect people - it just reinforces the idea that the subject is too fragile to handle properly.

Sessions are frank, witty, and practical. There is usually laughter. People leave feeling more confident and less anxious, not more burdened - often surprised that a conversation about death turned out to be one of the more energising professional development experiences they've had.

That said, for some participants the topic will bring up personal experiences and emotions. Sam creates space where that is acknowledged with care - without turning the room into a therapy session.

What to say (and not say) after a loss; supporting a grieving student, colleague, patient, or family member; school and community response when someone dies; rituals, remembrance, and meaning-making; death literacy basics; planning and communication for adults; Advance Care Directives; Voluntary Assisted Dying; body disposal options; death anxiety; overmedicalisation of death; and boundaries, self-care, and team culture for helpers.

If your group has a specific topic in mind that isn't listed, get in touch, Sam can cover any death-related subject. You can also browse the full topics list here.

More confidence talking about death, dying, and grief; shared language and simple frameworks for tough conversations; practical tools to support people with care and clarity; clear next steps including resource lists, guides, and referral options.

As interactive as you want them to be. Sam adapts to the needs and preferences of each group. Some groups want a presentation with Q&A; others want facilitated discussion and group exercises. Let Sam know what works best for your audience when you book, and she will structure the session accordingly.

Pricing varies depending on the format, session length, location, group size, and industry. A corporate or mining engagement is priced differently to a community group or school. Get in touch with the details of your event and Sam will provide a tailored quote. Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to enquire as pricing is flexible for these contexts.

As early as possible is always recommended, particularly for in-person sessions that require travel. For Perth metro bookings, a few weeks' notice is usually sufficient. For interstate travel or large events, several months in advance is preferred. Get in touch and Sam will let you know what's available.

No. All Taboo Education sessions, including individual consultations, are educational in nature, not therapeutic. They are designed to build knowledge, reduce death anxiety, and give people practical tools and language around death and dying.

Sam does offer private one-on-one consultations for individuals who want personal guidance on death-related matters, advance care planning, or grief. These are educational consultations, not psychological therapy sessions.

Yes. We offer individual educational consultations for people who want personal guidance on death-related topics. See the individual consultations page for more information.

No. Taboo Education is an education service, not a crisis or counselling service. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, please call 000. For crisis support: Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.

Yes. Taboo Education's programmes draw on established research frameworks including the Death Literacy Index (Western Sydney University), the Compassionate Communities framework (Kellehear), Terror Management Theory, and Grief Literacy research (Curtin University). Sam can provide learning outcomes and session documentation to support professional development records where required.