Keynote speakers
We are delighted to welcome a range of expert speakers to DDD11, each of whom will examine a particular topic related to the conference theme. Keynote speakers include:
Dr Hilary Cass, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Improving end of life care for dying children
Dr Roy Palmer, HM Coroner Southern District of London
What death means when the cause is unknown
Professor Victor Sage
Exploring the role of death and dying in the gothic novel
Professor Glennys Howarth
A sociological approach to death and dying
Dr Marion Bowman, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, The Open University
Glastonbury festival and the performance of remembrance
Mohamed Omer, Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery
Turning theory into practice
The Conference Programme is available here (pdf).
Parallel sessions
We have received in excess of 130 papers from a range of disciplines and interests across the conference theme. This includes all professional groups involved in death, dying and disposal, people who work with dying and deceased people and academics who might offer papers on the impact of theory on practice or how the study of practice has changed their ideas.
Papers have been organised into the following streams and will be presented in the parallel sessions across all four days of the conference:
Death
Death and media
Death and literature
Death and organ donation
Death and visual culture
Death and war
Disposal
End of life care – practice/ethics/education
Good death
Grief, bereavement and disposal
Memorialisation
Methodology
You can view the paper streaming schedule here. Please note: The schedule is still subject to change until registrations close, but we will endeavour to keep changes to a minimum.
Panel debate
We will be holding an expert panel discussion on Saturday 7th September, which will be chaired by BBC Radio Presenter Winifred Robinson. This discussion will examine where theory meets practice in palliative care, disposal and bereavement care.
Exhibitions
DDD11 will also include two exhibitions which will explore the role of memoriam and the rise in popularity of the personalised funeral.
Graham Dolphin, This must be the place
Artist, Graham Dolphin will be introducing his exhibition ‘This must be the place’ which looks at some of the spontaneous memorials left by fans after the death of their idols.
Vic Fearn & Company Ltd, Crazy Coffins
We are pleased to welcome Crazy Coffins to DDD11 to exhibit some of their uniquely commissioned coffins.
Mr John Gill, Director, will open the exhibition on Thursday 5th September, with a short talk about the evolution of a demand for personalised coffins which range from ballet shoes to corkscrews.
Optional excursions
Continuing on the theme of personalised funerals and memorials, we will also be offering delegates the chance to attend either of our optional excursions taking place on Friday 6th September.
Olney Green Burial Ground
The Green Burial Ground in Olney was opened in May 2000 and offers a natural alternative to a traditional funeral and burial. Delegates will be given a guided tour of the picturesque site and will explore the ways in which individuals of all faiths can tailor services to reflect the character and personality of their loved one – all in an environmentally friendly way.
Oak Chapel, Crownhill Crematorium
Delegates will be given a guided tour of the facilities of the new Oak Chapel which includes visual tribute screens and the capability to webcast services across the world. Delegates will consider how the demand for personal input into funeral services has evolved and how providers have adapted their facilities to meet the needs of a more individualistic society.