The fifth episode in the More Than a Shop podcast series is now live and explores something we all, sadly, will inevitably face in our lives.

Elizabeth Alker discusses end of life – how to talk about it, how to plan for it – with Co-op Funeralcare’s Raegan Drew and Methodist minister, writer and filmmaker Kathleen Loughlin.

We also hear from a Death Café in Manchester. Death Cafés exist all over the world, creating a safe, informal space for people to talk about death and grief.

End of life and death are difficult topics to consider and talk about under normal circumstances. This episode was recorded in normal times and we wanted to stress that it does not reflect current funeral restrictions in place or other impacts being felt in society because of the pandemic.

Listen and subscribe to future episodes via morethanashop.coop. A transcript of the episode is available here: www.uk.coop/resources/more-than-a-shop 

Special thanks to:

• Raegan Drew, Co-op Funeralcare: www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare
• Kathleen Loughlin: www.kathleenlacamera.com/
• Death Cafe Chorlton – deathcafe.com/deathcafe/5590/ – and the Death Cafe network – deathcafe.com

More Than a Shop is a collaboration between Co‑operatives UK, The Co‑op, Co‑op News, The Co-operative College and The Co‑operative Heritage Trust.

The series is presented by Elizabeth Alker. It is produced by Geoff Bird on behalf of Sparklab Productions.

Please note: The More Than a Shop series was recorded before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.