Glynis German - Funeral Celebrant & End of Life Doula

03/11/2026

❤️🤫 Did you know you don't always have to rush to arrange a funeral here in Mallorca?

One thing I come across so often is that families don't realise they may have a little more time than they think. Most people assume a funeral has to be held within a couple of days. While that's often the local tradition, it doesn't necessarily mean it has to happen that quickly.

When someone dies here, particularly when they have family living in the UK or elsewhere, there's often an immediate worry:

"How on earth are we going to get everyone here in time?"

I recently spoke with a family who hadn't realised that, depending on the circumstances and arrangements, it may be possible to wait several days before holding the funeral.

After talking things through, they've been able to make arrangements that give family members time to travel over and be here to say goodbye. 🙏🏾

And that's what I want people to know.

You don't necessarily have to make every decision in a rush or even in a panic. There are practical things to consider, and every situation is different, but it's always worth talking to someone who knows how things work here.

Living in Mallorca, being away from family can make an already difficult time feel even more complicated.

Sometimes, a little guidance and knowing who to speak to can make all the difference.

If you're British and living in Mallorca, please save my details. You never know when you, a friend or a neighbour might need a little help or advice.

I'm always happy to have a chat. ☕💗

31/10/2026

Ayer por la tarde celebramos nuestro primer Death Cafe y fue una experiencia maravillosa, en el centro de Gent Gran de Son Serra de Marina. ❤️

Me invitó Laura, la presidenta del centro, quien, hace ya más de 20 años, fue también la mujer que fundó la primera escuela Steiner aquí en Mallorca, a la que asistió mi segundo hijo.

Nos habíamos reencontrado hacía poco en el funeral de un querido amigo. Al conocer el trabajo que hago actualmente, Laura tuvo la ilusión de ofrecer un Death Café a las personas que acuden al centro.✨️

Hubo una deliciosa tarta, galletas caseras, tradicionales buñols mallorquines y, sobre todo, una acogida maravillosa y llena de cariño.👏🏾

Todas se conocían entre ellas, lo que creó un ambiente de confianza y cercanía. Así pudieron compartir sus pensamientos y experiencias sobre temas tan profundos y personales como la muerte de un ser querido, la pérdida y el duelo que todavía sigue su propio proceso.💖

¡Y cuánto nos reímos también!

¡Qué grupo de mujeres tan extraordinario! La mayor tenía 94 años y, creedme, ¡tenía muchas historias que contar!

Espero de corazón poder volver. Me sentí muy acogida por todas y me recordó lo que significa para mí un Death Café:

COMUNIDAD.

Crear un espacio donde podamos hablar de la muerte, compartir nuestras historias, escucharnos unas a otras y, por supuesto, reír juntas.💝

28/10/2026

To me, a funeral is about so much more than saying goodbye✨️

My trips back to Wales this summer were for a very personal reason. I was there to officiate two family funerals - first for my cousin, and then for his elderly mum, my lovely aunt.

It was a difficult time for our family, of course, but it also reminded me of something really important which is that a funeral isn't just about the sadness of losing someone. It's also about remembering the person they were, the life they lived, and all the little things that made them “them”. 💖

And sometimes, some of the most precious moments happen afterwards, when everyone gets together for a cuppa, a bite to eat - Bara Brith for the Welsh - and a good old catch up and chat.☕️

By the time everyone comes together for the wake, the tears have often been shed, and there's a different feeling in the room. It's not party joy, but a gentle happiness in sharing memories, being together and celebrating the life that was lived. ❤️

I've always felt that the time spent together after a funeral can be just as meaningful as the ceremony itself. It's a chance to support one another, share memories and perhaps even have a laugh when you least expect it.

Here in Mallorca, families have different traditions and different ideas about how they'd like to say goodbye. There's no single right way to do it. The important thing is that it feels right for the person who has died and the people left behind. 🙏🏽

That's one of the things I love about officiating and helping families with funeral arrangements - helping them create something personal, meaningful and theirs.

And you? Have you ever found that getting together afterwards has been an important part of saying goodbye?🙏🏾

26/10/2026

❤️ A little trip back to Wales, family time and a reminder about being organised…

I've been back to Wales twice this summer for family funerals, and it's got me thinking about something rather important.

My lovely late aunt had organised and paid for her own funeral years before she died. She'd thought about what she wanted and made arrangements in advance.✨️

I always thought that was a very sensible thing to do. It meant her family - my cousins - didn't have to make every decision themselves at an already difficult time.🙏🏾

We spend so much time organising holidays, birthdays and all the other important things in life, don't we? But when it comes to our own funeral, it's often a case of "Oh, I'll think about that another day!" 😊

And living here in Mallorca, particularly when you have family back in the UK, it's worth knowing what your options are and what things involve.

Planning ahead doesn't have to be gloomy or complicated. Sometimes it's simply about being organised and making things a little easier for the people we love.💖

So, over the coming weeks, I'm going to share some useful information about funerals here in Mallorca, from costs and ceremonies to planning ahead.

Nothing scary, no doom and gloom. Just open and honest conversations and a bit of forward planning!

Have you ever thought about organising your own funeral, or is it firmly in the "I'll do that later" category?🤔

16/10/2026

This December, I’ll be celebrating 11 years of facilitating Death Cafés and 6 years since I set up a group in Spanish that provides a safe online space for health and funeral professionals, as well as those who accompany people at the end of life.✨️

In recent months, I’ve returned to offering two sessions a month, as they fill up almost as soon as I announce the dates. Today is no exception!

People join this group from all over Spain, as well as from as far afield as Mexico and Uruguay. Even better, some participants realise that their own communities could benefit from Death Cafés, and go on to start facilitating them themselves.☕️🎂

As I like to say, the Death Café is the gift that keeps on giving.🎁

My heartfelt thanks to Jon Underwood and Bernard Crettaz, who paved the way for us to follow.🙏🏾

Este diciembre celebraré 11 años facilitando encuentros Death Cafe y 6 años desde que creé un grupo que ofrece un espacio seguro virtual para profesionales de la salud y del sector funerario, así como para quienes acompañan a personas al final de la vida.💫

En los últimos meses he vuelto a ofrecer dos sesiones al mes, ya que las plazas se agotan casi tan pronto como anuncio las fechas. ¡Y hoy no ha sido una excepción!

En este grupo participan personas de toda España, así como de lugares tan lejanos como México y Uruguay. Y lo que es aún mejor: algunas personas se dan cuenta de que sus propias comunidades también podrían beneficiarse de los encuentros Death Cafe y se animan a facilitarlos ellas mismas.🎂☕️

Como me gusta decir, el Death Cafe es un regalo que sigue dando frutos.👏🏾

Mi más sincero agradecimiento a Jon Underwood y Bernard Crettaz, que allanaron el camino para que pudiéramos seguir sus pasos.

15/10/2026

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and I’m taking a special moment to hold in my thoughts those I have accompanied over the years.

There is still so much to do to raise awareness and support families living through such a loss. I’m deeply grateful for initiatives such as Estels del Cel, here in Mallorca, who offer support with such love and compassion.

My latest Substack piece, A Wave of Light, reflects on loss, remembrance and the importance of acknowledging these experiences. You can find the link here: https://glynisgerman.substack.com/p/a-wave-of-light

I’d especially like to invite you to read my blog if you’re someone who feels uncomfortable around the subject of dying and death, or who doesn’t know what to say to someone experiencing a loss.

We can all learn to navigate these difficult conversations with greater compassion. Perhaps, instead of turning away or searching for the right words, we can simply stay present, be silent and listen. 🕯️

Hoy es el Día Internacional de la Concienciación sobre la Muerte Gestacional, Perinatal y Neonatal, y quiero dedicar un momento especial a recordar y tener presentes a todas las personas a las que he acompañado a lo largo de los años.

Todavía queda mucho por hacer para dar visibilidad a estas pérdidas y apoyar a las familias que están atravesando una experiencia así. Estoy profundamente agradecida por iniciativas como Estels del Cel, aquí en Mallorca, que ofrecen apoyo con tanto amor y compasión.

Mi último artículo en Substack, Una ola de luz, es una reflexión sobre la pérdida, el recuerdo y la importancia de reconocer y dar espacio a estas experiencias. Puedes encontrar el enlace aquí: https://glynisgerman.substack.com/p/una-ola-de-luz

Me gustaría invitarte especialmente a leer mi artículo si eres una persona a la que le incomoda hablar sobre la muerte y el proceso de morir, o si no sabes qué decir a alguien que está atravesando una pérdida.

Todas las personas podemos aprender a afrontar estas conversaciones difíciles con mayor sensibilidad y compasión. Quizá, en lugar de apartar la mirada o buscar las palabras perfectas, podamos simplemente estar presentes, guardar silencio y escuchar. 🕯️

08/10/2026

El «Death Cafe» de hoy en el Hospital Joan March ha sido el tercero, gracias a que la enfermera de cuidados paliativos Estefania Garcia se ha esforzado para crear un espacio seguro en el que el personal de enfermería y los voluntarios puedan reunirse y hablar sobre aquello que muchos acompañan y apoyan cada día: el final de la vida.💫

La mitad del grupo de hoy participaba por primera vez. La curiosidad les llevó a compartir este espacio tanto con compañeros conocidos como con personas que no conocían. Poder compartir experiencias personales y reflexiones fue, como siempre, una experiencia enriquecedora para todos los que estuvieron presentes.🙏🏾

Gracias al Hospital Joan March por cuidarnos con los refrescos☕️🥐🫓

El próximo «Death Cafe» tendrá lugar a principios de diciembre.

Today's “Death Café” at the Joan March hospital was the third since palliative nurse Estefania went out of her way to make sure there is a safe space for nursing staff and volunteers to be able to gather to discuss what many spend their days supporting - end of life.🕯

Half of the group today were there for the first time, curiosity bringing them to share space with some known colleagues and some strangers. Being able to share personal experiences and reflections was, as usual, an enriching experience for all who were there.💝

The next “Death Café” there will be at the beginning of December.✨️

22/09/2026

These past few weeks have been intense, accompanying families as they navigate the death of a loved one.

I truly believe that death always comes as a shock, even when it is expected. But when a death happens unexpectedly - and especially when someone is away on holiday - it requires those of us supporting the family to be truly present.

It was therefore no surprise that I found myself supporting three families on holiday here in Mallorca who, sadly, needed my help. All three wanted to repatriate their loved one and bring them home.

Despite the, at times, scandalous behaviour of certain insurance companies, I am incredibly proud of my colleagues here in Mallorca and of their dedication to making what is already an incredibly difficult journey as smooth as possible for families.

Together, we were able to facilitate the final journey home for their loved ones. All the necessary pieces came together because we worked together - for the family. And at no point did I abandon my post.

For families, knowing from that very first moment that they can depend on someone is crucial. That is what I will always try my very best to provide, even while navigating the many different organisations and authorities that may be involved - the police, the coroner’s office, civil registry, and so many others.

To my colleagues at the local funeral homes: thank you for your dedication, your professionalism, and for always doing your best. It makes an enormous difference to the families we serve.

Long may we continue to serve with this attitude - being there for others in their hour of need.

08/09/2026

One idea. Hundreds of Wind Phones around the world. 🌍🌬️📞

Amy Dawson is one of my heroes.

Amy discovered the Wind Phone while grieving the death of her beloved daughter, Emily. She found comfort in imagining herself sitting in Itaru Sasaki's original phone booth in Japan, picking up the receiver and dialling Emily's number.

But Amy didn't stop there.

She created My Wind Phone, a website and directory sharing Wind Phone locations around the world. What began from her own grief has become a resource for so many others.

When I first had the idea of creating a Wind Phone here in Mallorca, I contacted Amy for advice. She generously shared what she knew. We spoke again two years ago when we finally had the hospital on board.

And now, two years after that Zoom call, Mallorca's Wind Phone is becoming a reality.

Soon, we hope, there'll be another dot on this map - here in Mallorca. ❤️

Read Amy's story and discover the history of the Wind Phone at My Wind Phone.

04/09/2026

Gracias a Marita Alonso por su artículo publicado hoy.

Esta figura, que acompaña el tránsito final y que comienza a ser visibilizada en series y entrevistas, demuestra la importancia de aprender a mirar a los ojos a la muerte