Dying to Know is a special episode in the Australian Doctors Federation Let’s Talk Medicine series.

Our Chair, a rural GP, is joined by a lawyer, a real estate agent, a funeral director and a community nurse. Together they explore practical and emotional aspects of death and dying.

Set in a NSW, the topics discussed are in the context of NSW laws and regulation. However the discussion is relevant to all Australia and beyond.

We are grateful to Australian National University (ANU) Siding Springs Observatory for use of the seminar room, away from noise and distractions!

We especially thank Dr Jackson Blythe, rural GP registrar, for producing this podcast, as well as his assistant, Mr Robert Dean, from radio 2-WCR (Warrumbungle Community Radio).

Topics covered (hr:min:sec)

  • Legal aspects 14:00
  • Benefit of seeing a lawyer 15:00
  • Power of Attorney 16:00
  • Enduring guardian 17:30
  • Capacity 19:50
  • When above become operative 23:00
  • Ability to revoke 24:40
  • Solicitors versus over the counter forms 26:00
  • Wills 26:30
  • Marriage and divorce 27:30
  • Intestate 28:00
  • Statutory legacies 29:50
  • Succession Act 30:20
  • Executors 30:40
  • Public trustee 31:30
  • Superannuation funds 33:00
  • Superannuation binding and non-binding benefits 33:30
  • Superannuation power of attorney 35:10
  • Advanced care directives 36:00
  • Resuscitation plans 37:00
  • Ambulance plans 37:00
  • Organ donation 38:20
  • Who to call when someone dies 41:00
  • Prepaid funerals versus funeral bonds 42:30
  • Planning a funeral 43:40
  • Morgues 45:00
  • Dying in RACF, hospital, home 45:10
  • Coroner 46:00
  • Family viewings of body 46:50
  • Coffins 47:00
  • Cremation 48:30
  • Headstones 49:00
  • Death certificates 49:50
  • Pauper funerals 50:30
  • Cause of death certificate 51:20
  • Cremation certificate 51:30
  • Dying in a RACF (nursing home) 54:00
  • Palliative care teams 55:30
  • Probate 58:00
  • Disposing assets 59:00
  • Family provisions 1:04:00
  • Eligible persons 1:05:00
  • Disposing ashes 1:08:00
  • Dealing with grief 1:09:00

Participants

Jane McWhirter. Real Estate Agent, Davidson Cameron & Co., Coonabarabran
Nicole Hadfield. Community Health Nurse, Western NSW LHD
Alison Hadfield. Principal, Castlereagh Funeral Services, Coonabarabran
Pamela McCaffrey. Clarke & Cunningham Solicitors, Coonabarabran
Aniello Iannuzzi. Chair, Australian Doctors Federation
Pamela McCaffrey. Principal Solicitor, Clarke & Cunningham Coonabarabran