New book Slow Down When Someone Dies by Lin Carruthers and Kate Clark advises on practical and legal rights immediately after death

A self-help guide for when someone dies has been released, advising on practical and legal rights immediately after death.

Featuring information from the practicalities of moving a deceased loved one in a vehicle to cooling a body should you wish to have it at home, ‘Slow Down When Someone Dies’ helps readers find the right options for everyone affected.

Authors Lin Carruthers and Kate Clark, trustees of local charity ‘Pushing Up the Daisies’, explained why they wanted to write the book.

Kate, a palliative care nurse who founded the charity in 2016, said: “It is an extension of what Pushing Up the Daisies has been doing.

“The charity had started running courses and events which encouraged discussion about the days immediately after someone dies. “These attracted people who already had an interest and were comfortable with talking about death.

“We hope the book will reach a larger audience.

“It’s something that can dipped in and out of.

“If someone needs time or finds it tricky getting their heads around what can be a hugely sensitive subject, the book can be a discrete, personal way of finding out what you need to know.”

Lin got involved with Pushing Up the Daisies in late 2019 and it was after developing a course called ‘After The Last Breath’ with Kate that the pair started the book.

“It is talking about subjects that as a society we find hard to discuss, but we do it in a sensitive way,” explained Lin.

“There are a lot of poignant moments in the text, but there is also a lot of joy.

“Readers will gain practical knowledge via self-help.

“There are a lot of myths surrounding death and this book goes some way to setting the matter straight.

“If you want to be empowered, then this book is for you.”

Slow Down When Someone Dies features 22 chapters covering topics such as what is traditional, practicalities and when a death is unexpected.

There is a resources section with sensitive illustrations on how to tend to someone’s body, if having someone at home after they die is a choice you make.

“This book is intended to help people prepare for one of the most significant events of their life,” added Kate.

Slow Down When Someone Dies from book shops and online via Amazon and LuLu.com from May 1 at the launch of ‘Demystifying Death Week’.

Publication has been supported through fundraising via Pushing Up The Daisies. More information is available from https://pushingupthedaisies.org.uk/about/