Death, dying and grief

Access information about care planning, powers of attorney and guardianship.

Planning ahead isn't just about paperwork. Talking with loved ones about your wishes, values and what matters most can help reduce stress and uncertainty for family members during difficult times.

Topics to discuss could include:

  • Advance care planning
  • Funeral wishes
  • Powers of attorney and enduring guardianship
  • What matters most at the end of life
  • How you'd like to be remembered

 

You may also like to visit our Mental Health and Wellbeing page here.

Hannah Gould and Zenith Virago discuss the changing face of death ceremonies.

Whether you like it or not, death comes to us all, and the way that people are facing this journey is changing. Join cultural anthropologist Hannah Gould and death doula Zenith Virago as they discuss the changes in the ways of dying that better reflect the life of the person, and everyone’s relationship with passing.
 
Items in the library collection related to this subject can be found here.

 

The Bereavement Counselling Service offers confidential counselling support to adults who live in, or who are bereaved of someone who has died in, Sydney Local Health District, as well as to our staff.
 
Counselling is provided at Concord Hospital and RPA Green Square (Health One), Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm.
 
You can self-refer by calling 02 9767 5656 and leaving a brief voicemail with your name and contact number.

We offer a complete service for Wills and estate planning at various locations across NSW to help you prepare your planning for end of life documents. Our Wills are prepared by professional Will makers or solicitors with tailored pricing to suit your needs.
 

Since 1994, we’ve been here providing independent, trusted, specialist industry expertise, because we care. Assisting over 2,500 people each year through some of life’s most difficult times, we’ve been here to support you.
 
Formerly Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB), we’re still all about community and care, but now offer a wider circle of support for you and those you love. More layers of care, working better, together.
 
No matter which of life’s twists or turns come your way, we pride ourselves on creating a ‘best-fit’ solution for you or a loved one. That’s what we do. That’s what we’ve always done.

Palliative care addresses the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of people with a life-limiting illness, to allow them to live as well and as comfortably as possible.
 
 
Palliative Care Guidance: +61 2 8076 5604 or email pcguide@palliativecarensw.org.au
 

Make your health care choices now with advance care planning – it eases the burden for your loved ones, and ensures your voice is heard.
 
For free advice or to request a starter pack, contact our National Advance Care Planning Advisory Service from 8 am to 4 pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.

Griefline provides free and confidential counselling, resources and information to people experiencing grief and loss across Australia. 

Call 1300 845 745 or visit Griefline for more information.

Grief Australia is an independent, not for profit organisation, striving to change the way Australia lives with grief. We are a leading voice on grief in Australia, providing evidence-informed counselling, training, and research to collectively strengthen the nation’s response to grief. We believe that by leading with empathy, courage, curiosity, and compassion, we can live and learn together, and a greater understanding of grief will become possible. 

Call 1800 642 066 or visit the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement for more information. 

A guiding voice through the universal human experience of grief
 

Carer Gateway aims to make your life easier by providing emotional, practical and financial support for carers. Provides free counselling, information, peer support, emergency respite care, and financial help to carers via phone, online, and in-person services.
 
Page last updated: 12 Aug 2026