Thinking about death can be hard. But after a year of high profile celebrity deaths, it has become difficult to avoid it. Luckily some of the world’s best storytellers, journalists, speakers and comedians have begun to share their experiences of death and dying to help us reflect on our own. Here are some of the best death and dying podcasts out there.

1. We Need To Talk About Death

Exploring some of the most common questions about death and dying, this three-part programme from the BBC offers a great overview of the reality of dying in the UK today. The shows feature insights from people approaching the end of their lives as well as professionals working in the field. Topics include: how to have the death you want, managing pain and what happens when someone is dying.

 

2. Griefcast

Comedian Cariad Lloyd, whose dad died in her teens, chats to other comedians about their own personal experiences of grief after the death of someone special. Featuring comedy heavyweights like Adam Buxton and Sara Pascoe, this show is honest, funny, moving and highly relatable.

 

3. The Vigil

In a one-off programme for the BBC, people talk frankly about their own experiences of watching an elderly parent die and how it feels hour after hour, day after day. Exploring experiences from the mundane to the profound, this is a moving show about a time few of us are prepared for.

 

4. One Last Thing Before I Go – This American Life

This episode of the award-winning show (from the team behind global hit Serial) looks at ways in which people are trying to get through to their loved ones in the face of death. In Japan, every year a phone booth attracts thousands of people going to talk to relatives who died in the tsunami and earthquake years earlier.

 

5. Rethinking Death – TED Talks

This collection of talks from TED speakers explores how we can better understand death as a part of life. Ranging from bucket lists to burials, the speakers challenge conventional wisdom on death and dying. Don’t miss BJ Miller’s powerful talk on ‘What Matters at the End of Life’.

6. Dying well - TED Radio Hour

In this hour long podcast episode, TED speakers explore whether there is a way to talk about death candidly, without fear and even with humour. 

7. Life is a Mystery – Death, sex and money

As the name suggests, death features frequently in this taboo-busting podcast from across the pond. But this moving interview with Australian blogger Elizabeth Caplice is one of the best episodes. Elizabeth, who had stage 4 cancer, talks honestly about processing the news she had months left to live, her changing relationship with death and planning for her funeral.

8. Dying Matters Podcast

In these 8 episodes, people who've had personal experience of how important it is to talk about death do just that, helping listeners begin the difficult conversations surrounding death and dying. 

9. You, Me and the Big C: Putting the can in cancer

A candid look at cancer, with Rachael Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon. The episodes "About Death" and "About Palliative Care" challenge society's perceptions about death and dying, and explore the options available in end of life care. 

10. Deliciously Ella - Loss, grief, gratitude and presence

This episode from Deliciously Ella founders, Ella and Matt Mills, talks about the loss of Matt's mum the previous year with his sister, Jess. They discuss how lonely grief can be, supporting those who are grieving and the necessary change we need in how grief and bereavement is addressed.