Don't Be Caught Dead
Don't Be Caught Dead is a podcast about the conversations most of us avoid — until we’re forced to have them.
Each episode brings you honest, accessible conversations with experts across end-of-life, health, legal, financial, and care industries, alongside people with lived experience, to help you better understand your end-of-life choices and how to prepare a practical backup plan if you fall ill, become incapacitated, or die.
Hosted by Catherine Ashton, award-winning speaker and founder of Critical Info, the podcast is grounded in lived experience — created so other people don’t have to go through what her family went through.
From wills, powers of attorney, funerals, and estate administration, to caring, grief, sudden illness, and navigating systems when life doesn’t go to plan, Don’t Be Caught Dead exists to build confidence, clarity, and preparedness — before a crisis hits.
Don't Be Caught Dead
No Rules, No Rush: The Last Hurrah's Philosophy on Modern Funerals
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Ever wondered what it's like to plan a funeral in a golf course or use a combi van as a hearse? Today, we're diving deep into the world of personalised farewells with Mon Jones, a funeral director at The Last Hurrah.
Mon's journey into the funeral industry was unexpected, but it's clear she's found her calling. The Last Hurrah isn't your average funeral home - it's a family affair that's reimagining how we say goodbye to our loved ones. From cardboard coffins that families can decorate together to funerals held in unconventional venues, Mon and her team are breaking the mould of traditional services.
What sets The Last Hurrah apart is their commitment to truly personalised farewells. Mon shared fascinating insights into their process, from the initial family meeting to the final ceremony. It's not just about ticking boxes; it's about listening intently to every story, every throwaway comment, and weaving these details into a ceremony that genuinely reflects the person who has died.
Key Takeaways:
● The importance of slowing down the funeral planning process - there's often more time than families realise
● How The Last Hurrah incorporates children into the funeral process, including decorating coffins and creating quiet spaces at services
● The value of transparency in pricing and offering affordable options like cardboard coffins
● Creative ways to personalise funerals, from unconventional venues to unique rituals
● The annual tree planting event that keeps families connected long after the funeral
Mon's advice for families facing a loss is simple yet powerful: take a breath, slow down, and remember that there's no 'right' way to do this. It's about creating a farewell that feels true to your loved one and helps you begin your grief journey.
Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care,
Catherine
Resources:
Contact Mon via here website: https://www.lasthurrahfunerals.com.au/
Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.
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It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.
Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.
Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au
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Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays —
free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.
No pressure.
No expectation.
Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —
it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.
Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events
MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.
SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.
Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.
Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/
Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:
https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a
Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/