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The Death on the Fringe Lectures provide a unique opportunity to hear some outstanding speakers exploring issues relating to death and dying. Join us in Edinburgh this August to be challenged and entertained... |
Death Pantomime |
The Death Pantomime was written for Death on the Fringe by Dundee academic and playwright Eddie Small... Jean's body was mislaid in a funeral director's premises in 1936, and, unknown to her family, her coffin was subsequently buried stuffed with turnips to make up the weight. Eighty years on and the funeral director finds her under a tarpaulin and has placed her dusty body (thankfully pre-embalmed) next to Sharon, who died the previous day. The coffined corpses get talking, and singing, accompanied by the elderly funeral director. Their exchange of tales of their deaths and times (sometimes humorous, sometimes serious) will be regularly interrupted by the funeral director inviting responses from the audience. Sat 6 Aug / 19:45 / Eddie Small: The Death Pantomime (St John’s Church) [in partnership with Just Festival] |
Bringing Death Back to Life |
Professor Scott Murray is St Columba's Hospice Chair of Primary Palliative Care at the University of Edinburgh. Dying is a universal human activity, and it shows no sign of abating. Given we cannot evade it, is it time to face up to death? Professor Scott Murray, a leading palliative care researcher, asks when, where and how would you like to die? Tue 9 Aug / 15:00 / Prof Scott Murray: Bringing Death Back To Life (In partnership with the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas)
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Mystical Experiences at the End of Life? |
Allan Kellehear is Professor of End of Life Care at the University of Bradford. Dying people commonly report unusual experiences. Some of these are called near-death experiences or deathbed visions. All of these experiences have been described, at one time or another, as hallucinations. Other people have described these as altered states of consciousness that enhance well-being and spiritual understanding. For New Age readers, these experiences are direct proof that human beings survive death. What are we to believe? This talk will provide an outline of the main features of these experiences, discuss their worldwide prevalence, and offer a critical evaluation of the explanations we receive about them from medicine and religion.Tue 23 Aug / 19:30 / Allan Kellehear: Mystical Experiences At The End Of Life – Really? (Quaker Meeting House) [in partnership with Just Festival] |
Talking to children about death |
Dr Sally Paul is Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde. "What happens to dead people's bodies?" Children have questions about everything, but how appropriate is it to talk to children about death? What do they want to know? Where should they learn it? What will you say? Dr Sally Paul explores what children want to know about death and when they want to know it. She asks what helps you talk to children about death, what puts you off and if there are any major consequences. Please note - children's views will be included! Wed 24 Aug / 19:30 / Sally Paul: What Happens To Dead People’s Bodies? |
