Gaylene Delaney wants to help people to “die with dignity” through her funeral planning workshop.

She’ll be co-presenting her fifth Death Without Debt workshop on Saturday, October 18, from 9am to 1pm at Life Church, 934 Cameron Rd. Social worker Robyn Williams will also be presenting.

Entry costs $40 per person, $60 for two people, or $70 for three people. However, donations are welcome if cost is a barrier.

The entry costs cover the printing of a comprehensive, 60-page booklet given to attendees, as well as contributing to the workshop’s website and pamphlets.

Delaney, who works as a doula, “helps people die with dignity and the way that they want to”.

“So a lot of that is about educating people about what their options and choices are. It’s about sitting vigil with people, advocating for people.”

She said about 50% of people dealing with death can’t afford a basic funeral through a funeral director. The workshop not only helps people save money, but also supports the bereaved after deaths.

As a doula, Gaylene Delaney wants to help people to “die with dignity”.

“A lot of people don’t realise you have to pay for cremation or a burial site beforehand. People don’t have that sort of money just sitting around, so they go into debt, they get credit cards, they borrow money, they remortgage the house. Some people are paying this funeral debt off for years and years and years.

“It’s those people that we are attracting to the Death Without Debt workshop, and we can teach them to do a lot of it themselves or with their family.”

Delaney first became involved when she saw a workshop run by Death Without Debt founder Fergus Wheeler, advertised on Facebook. She went along and decided to get involved.

Through the Death Without Debt workshop, Delaney and Williams will educate attendees on affordable farewells, funeral planning, after-death care, legal requirements, and how to avoid unnecessary costs.

The details:

What: Death Without Debt workshop

Where: LifeChurch, 934 Cameron Rd, Gate Pa, Tauranga

When: Saturday, October 18, from 9 am-1 pm

Cost: $40 per person