Podcast hosted by Matt Brook invites a range of guests to have open and honest conversations about death, grief and the way we remember - topics which are worth talking about before you go.
This podcast has been made by Westerleigh Group, one of the UK's leading providers of cremation and funeral services, produced in collaboration with Empica.
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Living well with dementia: A conversation with Lisa Dicker
In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Dicker, General Manager at Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to live well with dementia. Rather than focusing solely on diagnosis and decline, Lisa shares how her work centres on helping people stay connected, supported, and engaged in their communities for as long as possible. We explore the often-overlooked reality of anticipatory grief, the importance of early emotional support for families and care...
19 Jun 2026
Finding serenity in end-of-life care with Mireille Hayden
In this episode of Before You Go, we speak with Mireille Hayden, Health Psychologist and founder of Gentle Dusk, an organisation dedicated to improving emotional and psychological wellbeing in end-of-life care. Mireille shares her remarkable journey into the bereavement sector, from her early work as an end-of-life care commissioner to founding Gentle Dusk in 2011, and how her experiences working across the NHS, hospices, and charities shaped her approach to compassionate care. She reflects o...
5 Jun 2026
Training the future of funeral care with Kirsty Simmonds
In this episode of Before You Go, we speak with Kirsty Simmonds, National Sector Lead for Connect2FuneralServices, about the vital role training and apprenticeships play in shaping the future of funeral care. Kirsty shares her journey into the bereavement sector, discusses the misconceptions surrounding apprenticeships, and explains how professional development is helping funeral businesses build confident, compassionate teams. We also explore the growing demand for personalised funerals, the...
22 May 2026
The Cost of Waiting: Why Wills & Power of Attorney Matter with Michelle Seddon
In this episode of Before You Go, we’re joined by Michelle Seddon, a Partner in the Private Capital team at Clarke Willmott, specialising in wills, probate, estate administration and lifetime planning. With more than 15 years’ experience in private client law, Michelle shares why so many people still delay planning for death, the growing complexity of modern family estates, and how recent changes to inheritance tax could impact families across the UK. The conversation also explores the emotio...
8 May 2026
Rethinking Death, Dying, and Community Care with Dr Emma Clare
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by Dr Emma Clare – Chartered Psychologist, End of Life Doula, and CEO of End of Life Doula UK. Emma shares her unique journey into end-of-life care, from working as a domiciliary carer to becoming one of the UK’s leading voices in death literacy and community-led support. With honesty and compassion, she explores what it truly means to support someone at the end of life – and why these conversations matter more than ever. Before You...
26 Dec 2025
Ginger Golf on turning loss into a world record challenge
Known by many as Ginger Golf, Josh Simpson speaks to Matthew Brook in this episode of the Before You Go podcast about finding purpose in pain and grief after the loss of a loved one. After the death of his mother, and wanting to honour her memory, Josh channelled his grief into a world record-breaking golf challenge - playing over 580 courses in a single year - while also raising money for charity. He emphasises that grief can be a catalyst for positive change, noting that everyone experience...
12 Dec 2025
Father Norman on navigating Christmas after loss
Christmas is often seen as a joyful season, but for many, it can bring sadness, memories, and the weight of loss. In this episode, we speak with Father Norman, a retired Anglican priest who has supported countless people through grief. He shares gentle advice on coping during the festive period, reminding us that we never need permission to grieve, even on Christmas Day. We explore ways to include the memory of loved ones in Christmas traditions, how to handle the pressure to “be cheerf...
28 Nov 2025
The Glam Reaper: Jennifer Muldowney on funerals in the US
On this episode of Before You Go, Jennifer Muldowney — known to many as The Glam Reaper — shares the personal experiences that led her into the world of bereavement care. From navigating loss to planning beautifully bespoke celebrations of life, Jennifer offers an insider’s view into how families in the US are reshaping what a funeral can be. Instagram: @jennifermuldowney Website: Muldowney Memorials Facebook: Jennifer Muldowney Before You Go Instagram Westerleigh Group website Facebo...
14 Nov 2025
Danny Lesslie on grief, parenting and the healing power of writing
In this episode of Before You Go, host Matthew Brook engages in a heartfelt conversation with Danny Lesslie, a widower and author of the memoir 'Thank You Cancer.' They explore the profound themes of grief, love, and the journey of healing after loss. Danny shares his personal experiences of navigating life after the death of his wife, Raffaella, and how writing and reflection became essential tools in his healing process. The discussion delves into the complexities of grief, the import...
31 Oct 2025
Ross Hickton on leading SAIF and honouring a 4th-generation legacy
Matt sits down with Ross Hickton, Managing Director, 4th-generation Funeral Director, and National President of SAIF 2025/26. They discuss the evolution of independent funeral care, what it means to lead a family business through generations, and Ross’s vision for the future of the funeral profession. From personal reflections to industry-wide challenges, this conversation offers a rare and insightful look at tradition, innovation, and leadership within one of the UK’s most compassionate sect...
17 Oct 2025
James Crossland on the role of audio-visual media in funeral services
Matt has a conversation with James Crossland, founder of Obitus to talk about how personalisation and AV are reshaping the way we say goodbye. From the rise of the Super Venue to creating moments that truly reflect the person we’ve lost, it’s a powerful reminder that funerals can be just as individual as the lives they celebrate. It’s a great conversation about innovation, emotion and what happens when we start to think differently. Facebook: @Obitus Obitus website: Audio V...
3 Oct 2025
Dr Bill Webster on grieving - the most difficult and often misunderstood experience of life
In this episode Matt talks to Dr Bill Webster - semi-retired grief counsellor and Executive Director of Centre for the Grief Journey. After losing his wife in 1983 and finding himself struggling with grief as well as with the task of being a single parent to his two sons, who were only 9 and 7, Bill decided to enter a doctoral programme at the University of Toronto in Thanatology. This led him to develop a model of community grief support and something he's been advocating since his gra...
3 Oct 2025
Emma Britton on being a funeral celebrant living with stage 4 'ALK Positive' lung cancer
Matt has a heartfelt conversation with Emma Britton, funeral celebrant based in Bridgwater in Somerset. Emma trained with the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants in 2020 and has been working as a celebrant since then supporting over 800 bereaved families. Prior to becoming a celebrant Emma worked as BBC local radio presenter for 13 years across Somerset and Bristol. Emma's life was turned upside down in April 2025 when despite being a non-smoker, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ...
3 Oct 2025
Duncan Reynolds on the importance of choosing how to memorialise a loved one
Join Matt for his conversation with Duncan Reynolds, Managing Director of Odlings in Hull - a wholesale masonry business set up over 150 years ago. Listen to their conversation about memorial options, common misconceptions about memorialisation and its environmental sustainability. Instagram: Odlings 1870 (@odlings1870) • Instagram photos and videosFacebook: Odlings Ltd | Kingston upon Hull | FacebookTikTok: Odlings Ltd. (@odlings_ltd) | TikTokBefore You Go Instagram Westerleigh Group...
2 Oct 2025
Duncan Reynolds- Trailer
Join Matt for his conversation with Duncan Reynolds, Managing Director of Odlings in Hull - a wholesale masonry business set up over 150 years ago. Listen to their conversation about memorial options, common misconceptions about memorialisation and its environmental sustainability. 👉 Listen to the full episode on Friday 3rd October. Before You Go Instagram Westerleigh Group website Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
1 Oct 2025
Emma Britton- Trailer
Matt sits down with Emma Britton, better known as Emma the Celebrant. Emma trained with the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants in 2020 and has been working as a celebrant since then supporting over 800 bereaved families. Prior to becoming a celebrant Emma worked as BBC local radio presenter for 13 years across Somerset and Bristol. Emma's life was turned upside down in April 2025 when despite being a non-smoker, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 'ALK Positive' lung ca...
30 Sept 2025
Dr Bill Webster - Trailer
Matt sits down with Dr. Bill Webster — a grief counsellor who turned personal loss into a lifelong mission to support others. From heartbreak to hope, hear how his journey shaped a model of grief support that’s been changing lives for over 35 years. 👉 The full episode drops on Friday 3rd October — stay tuned. Before You Go Instagram Westerleigh Group website Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
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