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For this, the first episode of 2026, our 'Art of Dying Well' podcast steps away from the usual interview format to bring you a special interfaith panel discussion titled 'Dying to Live'. Contributors from six major faith traditions - Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity - shared their insights on dying, death, and bereavement.

Moderated by Associate Professor Maggie Doherty, Lead at the Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well at St Mary’s University, this discussion not only explored how different religious and cultural practices are observed in end-of-life settings, but also presented findings from their recent community-based participatory research on death literacy and end-of-life care.

You'll hear from Ruth Jacobs representing the Jewish community, Shamim Merali from the Muslim community, Shobha Sharma from the Hindu community, Simon Romer from the Buddhist community, Harr-Joht Kaur from the Sikh community, and Christina Ronayne from the Christian community.

The Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, opens our discussion, and the Right Reverend Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham and Lead Bishop for Interreligious Dialogue for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, offers concluding reflections.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone supporting a loved one through their final journey, or simply interested in how different traditions approach this universal human experience, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and practical insights.

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When a loved one or close friend dies, there are many practical matters to deal with – giving notice of death, funeral arrangements, and all manner of things that are very emotional and sometimes quite jarringly 'clinical'. More often than not, you're shell-shocked, not quite yourself. It's a very difficult time.

At the Catholic parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Whitley Bay near Newcastle, they have developed something special: a Consolation Team that walks alongside grieving families during one of life's most challenging moments.

For this 'Art of Dying Well' podcast, we talk to parish priest Monsignor Andrew Faley whose primary concern is to best meet the needs of his parishioners at this difficult time. He is very collaborative with the lay people in his community and sidesteps the common approach of "Leave it to Father" when it comes to funeral planning and accompaniment.

The Consolation Team grew naturally from the parish's pastoral care work, and we're delighted to be able to talk to two skilled parishioners from the team who work closely with Fr Andrew - Joe and Pauline.

Parishioners tend to have been in parishes rather longer than priests, and relationships have often built up which can be very helpful in supporting grieving families.

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In this episode, Professor Sonia Kumar, founding Executive Dean of Medicine at St. Mary’s University's new School of Medicine, shares her vision for a more compassionate, values-driven approach to medical education.

She discusses the importance of human connection, spirituality, and supporting both patients and doctors through death, dying, and grief.

With moving stories from her career as a GP, Professor Kumar explains how the new school will prepare future doctors to care for the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — during and at the end of life.