Here We Are, The Living

About Here We Are, The Living

Here We Are, The Living is an immersive journey through a holistic funeral home in South Sydney, and an intimate map of how we care for the dying, the dead and each other. In a culture marked by fear and avoidance, Jess Hamilton wants to know how to talk about death. Over years, she’s collected sounds and stories from Life Rites, an independent funeral home founded by artist, end-of-life doula and funeral director, Victoria Spence. Room-by-room, Jess follows Victoria deeper into the building, where she meets doulas, morticians, florists, artists, coffin manufacturers and others working invisibly to care for the dead and the living who love them. As the story unfolds, it becomes a map for reclaiming lost knowledge and language around dying, and empowering people to make sense of what it means to die, lose, grieve, rebuild and to live. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (quietnight.au) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Quiet Night

Category

education · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Sept 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   08: ENGINE ROOM (the office)

   Upstairs is the office - the engine room - where the old funeral directors would have once lived. The team is managing a busy week, looking after the business, and getting ready for a sold out night of artists talks. The funeral home has hosted film nights, grief raves, artist residencies and open days, to offer a safe and creative space for death literacy. Jess reflects on how spending time in a funeral home has changed her, and Victoria tells us her hopes for the future. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Ben Gibson, Chantel Jurcevic, imbar amira nassi (aka imbi), Christine Pan, Andrew Fraser, Liz Bradshaw, Harriet Gillies. The artist’s audio was recorded at Life Rites during Death by Powerpoint, a collaboration between Life Rites and Queer Powerpoint for Sydney Festival 2026. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   07: TRANSITIONS (the hallways & corridors)

   This chapter is about the waiting, the in-between and the liminal spaces we move through, in our own individual ways, after the death of someone we love. Jude and Ben share insights from grief counselling and doula care, and Skye reflects on the grief circles they run for people who have passed through the funeral home. Jess reflects on her personal experience of moving through grief within the broader Western culture that still treats death and grief with stoicism, avoidance or awkwardness. “We often wish we could bring back black dresses or an armband that says ‘Be careful, I’m grieving’, so that publicly people can learn sensitivity, and good language around how we speak to people.” - Jude Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 07:45 - 25:59 Pregnancy loss and stillbirth 14:23 - 14:48 Miscarriage Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Ben Gibson, Suzanne Robbins (Bold Botanicals), Skye Robertson and Jude Neeme-Samson. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   06: CEREMONY (the chapel)

   The chapel is the space where people come for funerals and memorials, viewings, dressings or being withs. Aunty Rhonda, Ben, Victoria and Chantel share elements of their ceremonial practice, and how funeral ceremonies that reflect our values, or the values of our people, can lay the foundation for healthy grieving. And we hear of the internal ceremonies that the team here hold, guided by the Elders Aunty Rhonda and Jude, to honour the people they’ve cared for and themselves. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 05:00 - 07:35 Suicide 24:15 - 25:59 Pregnancy loss and stillbirth Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovener, Victoria Spence, Ben Gibson, Skye Robertson, Chantel Jurcevic and Jude Neeme-Samson. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   13 Oct 2026

   05: TEMPLE (the mortuary)

   “We love this mortuary, we call it our temple”. It’s a rare thing to be able to step inside a mortuary and meet the people who care for our dead. We’re guided by the mortuary doulas Vicki and Sarah, who show us how they care for people by playing their music, massaging their hands, and restoring their dignity. We meet Amanda, the mortician, and follow a crowd curious of people in on Dying to Know Day. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 05:00 - 07:35 Suicide 24:15 - 25:59 Pregnancy loss and stillbirth Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Sarah Barry and Vicki Melson. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   13 Oct 2026

   04: DELIVERY (the ante room)

   The ante room is the first port of entry for the dead - and the staff entrance. We meet Jimmy, the mortuary transfer driver, as he brings a person into Life Rites for after death care. Kim shows us the cool plates, and explains how they work for home vigils. Victoria and Sonja share how Mortality, End-of-Life and Dementia Doulas can help us navigate illness, the end-of life, aged care and life. Jess starts to open up about her personal story, and an important phone call with Victoria. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 06:38 - 07:25; 15:54 - ; 27:40 - 28:37 Pregnancy loss and stillbirth Cancer Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Kim Somerville, Jimmy Mandoukos (All Hours Mortuary Transfers), Sonja Godfrey-Chan and Pat Joyce. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   13 Oct 2026

   03: VESSEL (the coffin room)

   We start this episode with in a big and busy coffin factory, guided by Johnny and Matt. Jess tries out a pandanus coffin, and Leah shows us seedy silk shrouds dyed with flowers and turmeric. We put hands to materials in the coffin room, and imbi grounds us in human composting. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess HamiltonLaura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Johnny Mat Byron from Key Industries, Sarah Barry, Leah Giblin, and imbar amira nassi (aka imbi) . This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   13 Oct 2026

   02: ARRANGEMENT (the arrangement room)

   We step into the “arrangement room”, where people first come if they’re organising a funeral. Victoria hands us a booklet about shock, and recollects organising her parents’ funerals. Jude shares stories of the first funerals in the building, and Skye tells us what happens after a death. We hear an intimate and powerful story of a father navigating the death of his wife, and finding meaningful ways to involve their daughter. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 17:00 - 23:20 Cancer, and talking to children about the death of a parent Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton and Victoria Spence of Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This episode features Victoria Spence, Ben Gibson, Jude Neeme-Samson, Lei Chen and Skye Robertson. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   13 Oct 2026

   01: ARRIVAL (the foyer)

   Welcome to the fun home! We cross the threshold with a crowd of curious people who’ve come to explore the funeral home on Dying to Know Day. We’ll unravel the past hundred years of death avoidance to understand why we find death so awkward and uncomfortable in Western culture. As we step inside, we meet Victoria, Life Rites’ Founder, and hear her story of coming of age in the 80s in Sydney, witnessing the HIV/AIDS epidemic run through her community, arriving to this work and building. And Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovener shares how she came to be Life Rites’ Elder in Residence after running from death for many years. This is a safe and creative story about the-end-of-life, and we understand there may be some topics that are sensitive for people with lived experience. Specific topics by timecode in this episode: 17:00 - 21:04 Witnessing the HIV/AIDS epidemic Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (https://quietnight.au/) production made by Jess Hamilton in collaboration with Victoria Spence and the Life Rites (https://www.liferites.com.au/) team. Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Here We Are, The Living

   Here We Are, The Living is an immersive journey through a holistic funeral home in South Sydney, and an intimate map of how we care for the dying, the dead and each other. In a culture marked by fear and avoidance, Jess Hamilton wants to know how to talk about death. Over years, she’s collected sounds and stories from Life Rites, an independent funeral home founded by artist, end-of-life doula and funeral director, Victoria Spence. Room-by-room, Jess follows Victoria deeper into the building, where she meets doulas, morticians, florists, artists, coffin manufacturers and others working invisibly to care for the dead and the living who love them. As the story unfolds, it becomes a map for reclaiming lost knowledge and language around dying, and empowering people to make sense of what it means to die, lose, grieve, rebuild and to live. Visit our virtual map of the funeral home at herewearetheliving.com (http://herewearetheliving.com). Support our impact campaign here (https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kQiR7MAK/here-we-are-the-living-impact-campaign). Share a story, feedback or testimonial with us here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yARBsIJgt2JPBVZE2DeZM3bX_6EkkUYIj8gcphEjtnqetA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110473098045873321615). Here We Are, The Living is a Quiet Night (quietnight.au) production made by Jess Hamilton in collaboration with Victoria Spence, and the team Life Rites Funerals (https://www.liferites.com.au/). Original music by Adam Connelly and Billy Ward. Mix by Jess Hamilton and Laura Brierley-Newtown. Editorial Support by Farz Edraki. Artwork by Annie Hamilton. This project was made with support of Create NSW, Content is Queen and many individual supporters through the Australian Cultural Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Contact Here We Are, The Living

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.