pilotlight

A surprising little book that starts a conversation - UK Publication March 2010

We see Dying to Know as a catalyst for change, an new way to spark conversations and connect people, says Pilotlight Australia founder, international social innovator and inspiration behind the book, Jane Tewson CBE.

Dying to Know is a groundbreaking celebration of life through 60 inspiring illustrations and thought-buds about mankind’s most shared yet unspoken experience: death. Combining compelling images with striking insight, it cuts through the taboos, renews the conversation and places death firmly in the cycle of life.

From eco-friendly funerals and online headstones to ‘emotional wills’, tips on how to tell the kids, quirky funeral anecdotes about the rich and famous, ways to honour the dead whilst supporting your community, and check-lists on how to be your own funeral director and make your farewell in style – it covers it all.

Kerry Hancock was a key inspiration in the creation of the book. Click here to see a video tribute to Kerry.

Like all Pilotlight Australia initiatives, Dying to Know was made possible by a small creative team Jane Tewson, Andrew Knight, Andrew Anastasios, Jo Lane and Stephanie Exton and written by Andrew Anastasios and designed by Trisha Garner and Michelle Macintosh.

For bulk purchases in Australia please contact Pilotlight Australia info@pilotlight.org.au

UK edition available on - www.amazon.co.uk

Pilotlight Australia and Pilotlight (in the UK) operate as independent organisations - although both share a vision of creating real change for disadvantaged people.

Jane Tewson on Women's Hour Radio 4

Daily Telegraph 15 March 2010

Peter Stanford The Third Sector 22 March 2010

Why do some cultures have elders, but others have the elderly?		It's not the dates that matter, it's the dash in between
If you knew when it was coming, would you do anything differently? Why wait?		People study for weeks for a birth, why not study for a death?

Some responses to Dying to Know

Facing up to the consequences of death and dying can be truly distressing and so often we avoid coming to terms with the reality and the practical things.Dying to Know is a delightful and practical inspirational guide that provides a new perspective on death and how we might deal with our own needs, feelings and fears. The book has the power to change our attitude to death and dying in a wonderfully positive way and should be recommended reading for everyone. Paul Woodward, Chief Executive, Sue Ryder Care

This book is a breath of fresh air. It presents issues around death and dying in an honest, vibrant and thought-provoking way that makes it a great conversation-starter. Marie Curie Cancer Care

Dying to Know helps us to connect people in our communities in the way we used to. We gave a copy to all our people and the stories flowing across our company, and the gratitude of those who feel better having read it has been very uplifting for us all. Steve Tucker, CEO MLC

This simple book gives us permission to talk about, learn about and make choices about our end of life aspirations, thereby increasing access to palliative care services with better outcomes for patients, families, carers and their communities.Donna Daniell, CEO Palliative Care Australia

Dying to Know is a guide to life, including how we deal with death, and it makes a difficult topic very easy to work through. Jo-Anne Bloch, CEO, Financial Planners Association of Australia

This amazing book is perfect for our year 12’s – it gives a way into to the subject on so many different levels.Linda Murray, St Brigids College, WA

This is a wonderful resource to use in our aged care facilities as often it is difficult for staff to find words of comfort for families in grief.John Stuart, Twilight Aged Care

This wonderful book is now being used by palliative care services throughout Victoria to enable community discussions around death, dying, loss and care. In so doing it strengthens the community’s capacity to care for people living with a terminal illness. Kevin Larkins, CEO Palliative Care Victoria