Death Matters Alliance

14/09/2026

Bronwen, Karen and Monique, from Death Matters Alliance, would like to thank the Upper Hutt Community for their overwhelming response to our first Dying Matters Expo which we held at the Upper Hutt Library on Saturday 12th September.
Around 100 people visited or dropped in throughout the day, with approximately 130 places taken across the four speaker sessions. More than 80 cups of tea and coffee were enjoyed, along with plenty of yummy cake!
Across both the Expo (Library space) and the Stall (Spring Festival) we saw people who wanted to share their experiences, talk about what matters to them and gather the information needed to plan ahead.
You wanted spaces where conversations about life, death and dying could happen naturally, without judgement, fear or formality. And when those spaces were created - whether it was around a table with a cup of tea, at a community expo, or in the middle of a busy public festival - you responded.

We thank you and we heard you.
We will be putting together future talks and information sharing events so if you missed out last weekend, follow our page or send us an email and we will notify you when we're having our next event.
In the meantime, Bronwen, Karen and Monique say "Tēnā koutou (Thank you), Ka kite anō (We will see you again soon) and.....Have those important conversations now!"

[email protected]

12/09/2026

Wow what an amazing turn out we had today👏👏 THANKS UH COMMUNITY you really supported us, it showed us how important it is to have the conversations🙏

Thanks to everyone who made this community event possible, for your time and energy 🙏

We will be in touch over the next couple of weeks with those who left their details. 😀

12/09/2026

What a fabulous day. We were overwhelmed by the interest and support from the community in getting these conversations started around aging, death, dying and DIY funerals.
If you missed us today please reach out with your contact details and we can let you know when we're giving more talks.

10/09/2026

Rhys Dwyer, with Pax Bodywork, will be available at our free community event - Dying Matters Expo - to talk to you about the work he does and give advice on how to navigate grief and emotional trauma. So come along to the Upper Hutt Library, Sat 12th September, anytime from 10am – 3pm and have a chat with Rhys.
A bit about Rhys
Pax Bodywork is all about peace - pax means peace in Latin.
So for those approaching death, for those carer's supporting them, and family or friends facing grief, the bodywork helps them to:
- relax, and come back to the present moment
- ground themselves back in their body, so important when everything else is turned upside down
- reduce pain and release body-held emotional trauma

The resulting peaceful state helps people to start the healing process, whatever that represents for them.
Rhys can also be a neutral ear and support for those wanting to vent emotionally with whatever stage of grief they may be going through.

Rhys can demonstrate this grounding using a chair in just a few minutes.
Contact
Rhys Dwyer
Zero Balancing & Craniosacral
0272445886

Bodymind Therapy - Zero Balancing & Craniosacral

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

Learn about Death, Dying and DIY funerals from Bronwen at Upper Hutt Libraries at 1:30 on Saturday 12th Sept. Come along and hear Bronwens "TED style" talk on death, dying, and diy funerals and start figuring out what you do, and don't, want for your end of life journey.

DEATH MATTERS ALLIANCE — presents a free community event - Dying Matters Expo
📅 **Saturday, 12 September**
⏰ **10am–3pm**
📍 **Upper Hutt Library**
Dying Matters Expo provides a safe and welcoming space to have difficult and sensitive conversations about aging, death, dying, and end of life planning.
Drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm.
We will have tables of information, displays and representatives from various organisations available for the public to talk to and gather information on End of life planning and DIY funeral options.
Have a cuppa and a conversation with the friendly team from Befriending Death.
Whether you’re planning ahead, supporting someone you love, or simply curious to learn more, come along and meet a diverse range of people who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, services, and ideas.
There will be speakers covering a range of important end-of-life topics, providing information, insights and opportunities to ask questions.
⚠️ Numbers for some speakers are limited, so registration is encouraged. Please message Death Matters Alliance or check our other posts for further information.
Please share this post with your friends, whānau and community. The more informed we are, the more prepared and empowered we can be for those tough moments in life.
**Death Matters Alliance — because these conversations matter.**
Monique, Karen & Bronwen
Death Matters Alliance (DMA

09/09/2026

Meet Lisa Scott from Hourglass End of Life Care who will be at our Free Community Event – Dying Matters Expo – at the Upper Hutt Library, Sat 12th September, from 10am – 3pm.
A bit about Lisa
Lisa is an End of Life Doula and through Hourglass End of Life Care, Lisa provides services including short-term overnight respite care, Advance Care Plans, funeral planning, end-of-life support (including post-death care), and assisted dying support.

Lisa offers a compassionate, practical, and non-clinical approach to supporting individuals and families as they navigate the final stages of life.
Empathetic, non-judgemental, and respectful, Lisa values the uniqueness of every person’s journey. She encourages choice and dignity, ensuring that each individual’s needs and wishes remain central in their end-of-life care.
Lisa has completed her Doula training with the Peaceful Presence program and continues to grow her knowledge through ongoing education
[email protected]
https://www.eldaa.org.nz/team/lisa-scott

08/09/2026

Meet Monique and Tony, both End of Life Doulas talking about Advanced Care plans.

DEATH MATTERS ALLIANCE — presents a free community event - Dying Matters Expo
📅 **Saturday, 12 September**
⏰ **10am–3pm**
📍 **Upper Hutt Library**
Dying Matters Expo provides a safe and welcoming space to have difficult and sensitive conversations about aging, death, dying, and end of life planning.
Drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm.
We will have tables of information, displays and representatives from various organisations available for the public to talk to and gather information on End of life planning and DIY funeral options.
Have a cuppa and a conversation with the friendly team from Befriending Death.
Whether you’re planning ahead, supporting someone you love, or simply curious to learn more, come along and meet a diverse range of people who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, services, and ideas.
There will be speakers covering a range of important end-of-life topics, providing information, insights and opportunities to ask questions.
⚠️ Numbers for some speakers are limited, so registration is encouraged. Please message Death Matters Alliance or check our other posts for further information.
Please share this post with your friends, whānau and community. The more informed we are, the more prepared and empowered we can be for those tough moments in life.
**Death Matters Alliance — because these conversations matter.**
Monique, Karen & Bronwen
Death Matters Alliance (DMA

08/09/2026

Meet Monique Ballinger from Enlight End of Life, she will be at our free community event - Dying Matters Expo - at the Upper Hutt Library, Sat 12th September. Come along anytime from 10am – 3pm and have a chat with Monique about end of life planning.
A bit about Monique
Monique is an end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant, and legacy creator passionate about helping people navigate end-of-life with compassion, education, and thoughtful planning. She supports individuals and families to honour life, create meaningful farewells, and preserve lasting legacies. Monique is a member of ELDAA https://www.eldaa.org.nz/team/monique-ballinger

Monique is giving a talk/workshop from 11:30 – 12:30pm on Advanced Care plans.

08/09/2026

Manuela from Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley is going to be presenting a talk at our free Community event – Dying Matters Expo, Upper Hutt Library, Sat 12th September.
12:30 – 1:30pm Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley – Wills, POA, probate.
This presentation will cover a number of matters relating to estate planning looking at the law and how it relates to death and dying and where and how to provide information to people on where to go to get support.

Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley are a free legal service. We provide free legal information, advice, assistance and education. We are based in Wellington and in the Hutt Valley. You will also find us at locations near you at one of our outreach clinics.
https://www.wclc.org.nz