The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan

18/06/2026

These days, we outsource our dead. We hand over our loved ones to strangers and pay a funeral director to do what family and community once did for themselves.

Take Jane McKinley Sloman, who died at her home on Klein St, Toowoomba, in 1920. In her late 80s, and after a long illness, Jane was nursed at home until the end. She died on a Friday and was buried at the Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery the next day. Back then, it was common practice: dead one day, buried the next.

You can read more about our death practices from a bygone era in my blog: https://thebottomdrawerbook.com.au/2026/06/17/lessons-in-stone-what-a-vandalised-1920-grave-tells-us-about-modern-death/

xLisa

18/06/2026

Gosh, where does the time go? And the hair? ✂️😉

🐷 Two years ago, a local Toowoomba team called Little Pig Consulting helped me make a video to help spread the word about the importance of getting some ducks in a row before you die. 🦆🪿🦆 It makes dealing with grief a whole lot easier if your family isn't left guessing about what kind of farewell you wanted. They can focus on YOU, not logistics.

14/06/2026

Thinking about the mortality of people you care about can be really challenging. It can also make you appreciate them more. JoAnn's husband has proven that. Naawwwww.

Funny how the shadow of death only makes the colours of life and love burn brighter.

Hopefully, JoAnn's time isn't anytime soon, but when it is, her husband will have her treasured thoughts and plans to guide him - in her handwriting, her doodles, her smudges, her way.

I'm so proud of my special little book and how it continues to help people.

xLisa
Author and proud book mum.

14/06/2026

"I miss my mum's voice," or "It's been so long I can't remember what my dad's voice sounded like."

It's a heartbreaking realisation that people tell me about all the time.

It's something I spoke with Michelle Wollaston - Life Direction for Women about when she interviewed me for her Soul Loom podcast. The Spotify link is below. Fast-forward to the 23-minute mark to hear it.

We talk about all sorts of stuff in the interview, but if you don't have time to listen to it, know this: the sound of your or your loved one's voice can be a very special and important part of memorialisation.

xLisa

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NcHjreHlZC4DowjfO1KKG?si=GdUCbeWtQnyS3DD3M2-YuA

Soul Loom with Michelle Wollaston · Episode

10/06/2026

PAVING OVER OUR PAST

A Catholic school in northern Tasmania plans to build over a former cemetery which has been part of its playground for decades. Before that can happen, the school needs to relocate any human remains it finds.

When does a cemetery stop being a cemetery? 🪦

xLisa

09/06/2026

Not everyone 'gets' death humour but when you write about death all the time there's always room for a gag! ⚰️ 🪏

08/06/2026

🤍 This is exactly why I released The Bottom Drawer Book almost 14 years ago. Four editions later, it's still saving families a world of grief and confusion at one of the hardest times of their lives. 🌥️💛 Thank you for your note, Carrie.

I'm so proud of what this amazing little book continues to do for families.🥰

xLisa

07/06/2026

What a legacy! What an obituary!

"Enjoy your life. Contribute to the things you're passionate about. Don't just lean in, leap in. That's how you can make a difference."

I love that he wrote a letter, a final goodbye. ✍️

Vale Prof Scolyer. 🩵

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-08/professor-richard-scolyer-dies-from-brain-cancer-aged-59/104442396

The 2024 Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has died. In his final message he urged all Australians to "pursue their dreams and passion with humility, love and compassion".

06/06/2026

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!

Buzz Lightyear watches over the grave of a "brave and courageous little man", aged 2 years, 9 months, at Ashford Cemetery on the NSW tablelands.

I was reminded of this grave because of all the publicity surrounding Taylor Swift's new song, written for the movie Toy Story 5, which is being released in a couple of weeks.

These days, so many headstones only have a couple of dates and a name on them. I love seeing headstones that tell a story about the person within; their pastimes and interests, their character traits, their fave sayings.

Cemeteries are like libraries: so many chapters, so many stories. However, the newer cemeteries are often reflective of the 'few words' trend. People are so much more than a name and a date. They're worthy of their story being told, aren't they?

xLisa

01/06/2026

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. ⚰️

When planning a funeral, most people immediately think of a coffin or a casket. But there is another option gaining traction in mainstream Australia — and it involves no box at all.

It’s called a shroud, and while it has been a sacred tradition in Muslim, Jewish, and Bahá’í cultures for centuries, it is now becoming widely available for cremations.

In fact, Australia's largest funeral provider, InvoCare, just quietly approved shrouded cremations at around 20 of its sites across NSW and Queensland.

But there’s an interesting twist... 🤔
InvoCare won’t be actively advertising this option to its clients, probably because coffins are so lucrative. It’s primarily being opened up for other funeral directors who 'rent' their cremators.

What does this mean for you? If you or a loved one wants a shrouded cremation, you have to ask for it. And if your chosen provider says no? Find one who will.

Read my blog to learn about:
👉 The history of shrouds
👉 The practicalities (like why a timber "shroud bearer" is required)
👉 Why many people don't like the idea
👉 The psychological impact on crematorium staff handling the organic shape of a human form rather than a box.

READ MORE HERE: https://thebottomdrawerbook.com.au/2026/05/30/shrouded-cremation-enters-the-mainstream/

What do you think? Is it something you'd consider?

xLisa
Author & 'deathie'.