This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7–16 November 2024. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.  

About the event

What if obituaries were written amidst life rather than upon death? What if we wrote our own? What would we include? Do others know this about us? How would our obituary reflect our lives as presently lived, and offer way markers for life not yet lived?

In this interactive and creative workshop (facilitated in English), we will ‘obituate’ in a reflective space to begin writing our own obituaries. We will explore the place of obituaries in our global world and consider what it might mean to live in ways we may wish to be remembered.

We welcome conversations and questions – within ourselves and within our social circles - about the stories we live by and aspire to. In an age where social media enables real-time landmarking of everyday life, what might be the ‘sum’ rather than the ‘parts’ of our lives?

This workshop is for adults who are keen to reflect and explore life stories and the inevitability of death.

The workshop is scheduled to take place from 1pm - 4pm.

Accessibilty Features

Accessible parking, accessible toilets; assistance dogs welcome; hearing loop; printed materials; pushchair/pram friendly; quiet space; seating; step-free access; wheelchair accessible.

Accessibility Information

There will be comfort breaks throughout the 3 hour workshop.  Water fountains are available on site.  The hospice cafe will be open for refreshments and complementary hot drinks.  The cafe is a short distance away from the workshop area.