Antrim

Armagh

Carlow

Cavan

Clare

Cork

Derry

Donegal

Down

Dublin

Fermanagh

Galway

Kerry

Kildare

Kilkenny

Laois

Leitrim

Limerick

Longford

Louth

Mayo

Meath

Monaghan

Offaly

Roscommon

Sligo

Tipperary

Tyrone

Waterford

Westmeath

Wexford

Wicklow

Gweedore

Mahon

Borrisokane

Cappagh

Crosshaven

Ballinasloe

Whitegate

Cork City

Kilcommon

Kilkenny City

Sandyford

Mullingar

Clara

Newcastle

Dundalk

Condolence Books - Printed and Bound

Mini Condolence Books - Printed and Bound

RIP.ie Sympathy cards

RIP.ie Acknowledgement cards

Condolence Book for Home Printing

RIP.ie Candles

Ogham Wishes

Angel Ornaments & Keepsake Boxes

Pressed Flowers with Verse / Photo

Religious & Spiritual

Hand-carved Celtic Wall Hangings

Mounted Prints

RIP.ie Care Package

Ogham writing is Ireland's ancient script. Hand-painted, stylish wall hangings. For indoor use.

Send heartfelt thanks to those who supported you during your time of loss with our beautifully pen written Acknowledgement Cards.

Holy Water Fonts, Crucifixes, Spiritual Wall Hangings & Celtic Art Pieces

Becoming a parent is a wonderful and life-changing event, and for single parents, the responsibility can feel even greater. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your child’s future is to make a will. A well-drafted will ensures that your wishes are respected and that your child is cared for, both emotionally and financially, should anything happen to you. Here are the key considerations for single parents when making a will.<h3 style="text-align:justify">Appointing a Guardian</h3>Perhaps the most crucial decision for a single parent is appointing a guardian for your child. This is the person who will take on parental responsibility if you pass away before your child turns 18.<ul><li style="text-align:justify">Choose Carefully: Consider who shares your values, has a good relationship with your child, and is willing and able to take on the role.</li><li style="text-align:justify">Discuss Your Choice: Speak to your chosen guardian beforehand to ensure they are comfortable with the responsibility.</li><li style="text-align:justify">Name a Substitute: It is helpful to name an alternative guardian in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to act when the time comes.</li></ul>The legislation in this area is the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. Section 6 of the Act provides that, on the death of the parent of an infant, any surviving parent shall be the guardian either alone or jointly with any guardian appointed under a Will. Section 7 of this Act specifies that the guardian named under the Will (testamentary guardian) shall act alongside any surviving parent as joint guardians. Either the testamentary guardian or a surviving parent can apply to court for orders pertaining to the custody of the infant.<h3 style="text-align:justify">Financial Provision for your Child</h3>You will want to ensure that your child is financially secure. This involves deciding how your assets will be managed and distributed.<ul><li style="text-align:justify">Trusts for Minors: Children under 18 cannot inherit directly. You can set up a trust in your will, specifying how and when your child should receive their inheritance.</li><li style="text-align:justify">Appointing Trustees: Trustees manage the assets on behalf of your child until they reach the age you specify (often 18 or 21). Choose people you trust to act in your child’s best interests.</li><li style="text-align:justify">Specific Gifts: You may wish to leave particular items or sums of money to your child or others.</li></ul>You will also need to appoint an executor(s). This is the person(s) who carry out your wishes. They can be the same people as the trustees.<h3 style="text-align:justify">Letter of Wishes</h3>While not legally binding, a letter of wishes can accompany your will. This document can provide guidance to guardians and trustees about how you would like your child to be raised, educated, or supported. <h3 style="text-align:justify">Reviewing your Will</h3>Circumstances change over time. Review your will regularly, especially if there are changes in your family situation, finances, or if your chosen guardian’s circumstances change. It is also important to let your executor, trustees, guardian know where your original Will is stored - and perhaps retain a copy at home.<h3 style="text-align:justify">Conclusion</h3>Making a will as a single parent can be complex, particularly when trusts and guardianship are involved. It’s advisable to speak to your solicitor to ensure your will is valid and reflects your wishes accurately.Elaine Byrne is a solicitor with Elaine Byrne Solicitors in Athboy, County MeathDisclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be legal advice. While every care has been taken in its production, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted warranted or implied by the author, publishers or the Law Society of Ireland in respect of any errors, omissions or misstatement. Readers are advised to seek independent professional legal advice before acting on anything in this article.

Making_a_Will_as_a_Single_Parent_Key_Legal_and_Practical_Considerations_099383baaf6744f29e4b12f1879535909319cde02e66a58c.png

Making a Will as a Single Parent: Key Legal and Practical Considerations

When a person dies after spending the final months or years in a nursing home, there may be a debt to the nursing home which will be due for payment.These outstanding debts may cause stress for spouses, children and family members of the deceased. The following is a short guide to the way nursing home debts are treated in Ireland. If in doubt, get independent legal and financial advice.<h3>Responsibility for Nursing Home Debt</h3>In Ireland, nursing home debt is the responsibility of the deceased's estate and is paid after their death by their personal representative (executor or administrator).If the deceased was in the <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/about/">Fair Deal Scheme</a>, any outstanding loan facility from the HSE must be repaid from the estate (funded by the sale of the deceased’s property), usually:<ul><li>Within 12 months of death, or</li><li>Within 6 months if the home was sold (prior to passing away) or transferred.</li></ul>Nursing homes and the HSE can claim unpaid fees from the estate. If the estate is insolvent (has insufficient assets), these debts may go unpaid.<h4>The Deceased's Estate is Responsible for Outstanding Debts</h4><ul><li>Personal Representative: The executor (if there was a will) or administrator (if there was no will – known as dying intestate) will gather all the assets of the deceased.</li><li>Insolvent Estate: If the estate's assets aren't enough to cover the funeral expenses, administration costs, and debts, it is considered insolvent.</li><li>No Obligation for Children: Children of the deceased are not typically obligated to pay nursing home debts unless they were a guarantor for the debt or the debt was in their name as well. If the estate is insufficient to cover debts, the beneficiaries typically do not have to pay them personally.</li></ul><h4>Fair Deal Scheme and Loan Repayment</h4><ul><li>Loan Postponement: Under the Fair Deal Scheme, the HSE pays nursing home fees, and a loan can be taken out based on assets like property, with repayment postponed until after the person's death.</li><li>Repayment Timeline: This loan must be repaid within 12 months of the person's death, or within 6 months if their property is sold or transferred at any point.</li><li>Interest: If the loan is not repaid by the due date, interest will be charged from the date of death.</li></ul><h4>Process of Paying Debts</h4><ol><li>Funeral and Administration Expenses: The first priority is to pay for the funeral and the expenses of managing the estate.</li><li>Preferential Debts: Next are preferential debts like taxes.</li><li>Ordinary Debts: Finally, other ordinary debts, such as nursing home fees and other unsecured debts (like credit cards and loans), are paid from any remaining assets.</li></ol><h4>If There Are No Assets</h4><ul><li>If the deceased has no assets, the debts cannot be paid, and the creditors will likely have to write off the debt.</li><li>The HSE and other creditors cannot claim the debt from the family of the deceased unless they are legally responsible for it.</li></ul><h3>What You Should Do</h3><ul><li>Contact the Executor/Administrator: If you are a family member, you should contact the personal representative to understand the estate's financial status.</li><li>Contact the Nursing Home: They will have details of any outstanding debts owing or that may not have been covered by the Fair Deal if the deceased was in the scheme.</li><li>Contact the HSE: If you are unsure about the Fair Deal loan or the outstanding fees, contact the Health Service Executive (HSE) for clarity.</li><li>Contact <a href="https://www.mabs.ie/">MABS</a>: For further information, MABS – The Money Advice and Budgeting Service.</li><li>Fair Deal: <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/about/">About the Fair Deal scheme.</a></li></ul>

What_Happens_to_Nursing_Home_Debts_After_a_Person_Passes_Away_9c1fd2f811983931bad894e4a891eb5ab87321f8b001ab77.png

What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

This article is sponsored by <a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">An Post Insurance</a> There are few conversations in life as difficult as talking about death. Your own, or someone you love. It’s the kind of topic that sits in the pit of your stomach, heavy, unwelcome, and easy to avoid. And most of us do avoid it, for as long as we can. Because imagining a world without the people who anchor us is horrible. Imagining our families navigating life without us is worse.But here’s what I’ve learned, both personally and through the work we do every day at RIP.ie: avoiding the conversation doesn’t protect anyone. It just delays the pain and adds confusion to a moment already filled with shock and grief.Talking about death is hard. Planning for it is harder. But doing both is an act of care.<h3>Why It Feels So Awful and Why We Should Do It Anyway</h3>When someone dies, the people left behind are suddenly asked to make decisions they never wanted to make. What kind of funeral should it be? Burial or cremation? Music or no music? Who should speak? What would they have wanted?These questions land at a time when your mind is foggy and your heart is in pieces. Even simple choices feel impossible.That’s why sharing your wishes, even a few of them, matters. It doesn’t take away the sadness, but it removes the uncertainty. It gives your family something solid to hold onto when everything else feels unsteady.<h3>You Don’t Need a Full Plan — Just a Starting Point</h3>People often imagine that “planning ahead” means having a folder of documents, instructions, and decisions. It doesn’t. It can be as small as:<ul><li>Telling someone whether you’d prefer burial or cremation</li><li>Mentioning a song you love</li><li>Saying you’d like a simple goodbye rather than a big fuss</li><li>Letting someone know where your important papers are</li></ul>These tiny pieces of information become anchors for your family. They turn guesswork into clarity.And if you want to go a little further, writing down your wishes or including them in your will can make things even easier. But even one conversation is a gift.<h3>The Emotional Weight of the Practical Stuff</h3>There’s also the financial side, which is another topic we don’t love to face. Funerals in Ireland are expensive, and costs can build quickly. Many people worry about leaving bills behind, and that worry is completely understandable. This is where <a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">Funeral Insurance</a> can help. It’s not about expecting the worst. It’s about easing the load for the people you love most. An Post Insurance offers straightforward cover designed to help with funeral costs, giving families breathing room at a time when they’ll need it.It’s one less thing for them to carry.<h3>Kindness Doesn’t Always Feel Kind in the Moment</h3>Talking about death will never feel natural. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and easy to avoid. But planning ahead isn’t about being morbid, it’s about being responsible.It’s a way of saying, plainly and without fuss: <blockquote>When the time comes, I don’t want this to be harder for you than it has to be.</blockquote>It’s practical. It’s considerate. And it spares the people you care about from carrying every decision alone.One Direct (Ireland) Limited, trading as An Post Insurance, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. One Direct (Ireland) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post. An Post Insurance is a tied agent of New Ireland Assurance Company plc for life assurance business. Life assurance policies are underwritten and provided by New Ireland Assurance Company plc.

Planning_Ahead_Why_Talking_About_Death_Isn’t_Morbid,_It’s_Kind_648521393a317015c0cb60c9cfd3c79df3279da31a5b1522.png

Planning Ahead: Why Talking About Death Isn’t Morbid, It’s Kind

This article is sponsored by <a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">An Post Insurance</a>In Ireland, we’re famous for our stories, our rituals, and our instinct to gather around one another in hard times. Yet when it comes to the practical side of saying goodbye, many of us still tiptoe around it. We don’t love talking about our own mortality, but the truth is that planning ahead isn’t morbid; it’s an act of love. Having recently planned a funeral myself, I know firsthand how much easier it is when you have even a small sense of your loved one’s wishes. It brings clarity at a time when everything else feels uncertain. As research* from <a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">An Post Insurance</a> shows, it’s something many of us are quietly thinking about already. Three in four adults aged 50+ have spoken to loved ones about their end-of-life wishes, even if just in passing.<h3>What a Funeral Really Costs in Ireland Today</h3>Funerals are expensive; there’s no gentle way to put it. According to research carried out in 2024*, the average cost of a funeral was €6,250 then and is likely to have increased since. and that’s before you add in personal touches like flowers, music, or a gathering afterwards. The research notes that “Irish adults aged 50+ expect to pay, on average, just over €6,000 for a funeral in Ireland”.For many families, these costs come at a time when emotions are already stretched thin. It’s no surprise, then, that 41% of people worry about leaving bills behind for their loved ones. That worry is deeply human. None of us wants our final act to be a financial burden.<h3>A Simple Goodbye or Something More Personal</h3>One of the most striking things in the research is how personal funeral wishes have become. Over half of people aged 50+ say “a simple goodbye is fine with me”. Others want music, flowers, or a gathering of friends and family, while 71% say a send-off matters to them.Cremation is now the more common preference (47% vs. 39% for burial), and many people want their ashes scattered somewhere meaningful. As the research notes, “A special place that means a lot to me” is the top choice for scattering ashes.<h3>Why Planning Ahead Matters</h3>Even though Irish people are very comfortable with the ritual of the Irish funeral, only 1 in 3 have made any funeral plan for themselves. And among those who have a will, just 12% have included their funeral wishes. The research states plainly: “The vast majority do not have funeral preference included in their will”.Yet planning, even a little, can make an enormous difference.It can mean:<ul><li>Your family know what you want.</li><li>There’s less pressure to make decisions quickly.</li><li>Costs don’t come as a shock.</li><li>Your goodbye feels like you. </li></ul>And that’s where <a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">Funeral Insurance</a> comes in.<h3>How Funeral Insurance Helps </h3><a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance">Funeral Insurance</a> isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about easing the load for the people you love most. With 83%* of adults aged 50+ currently without any funeral insurance product, there’s a gap between the desire to protect family and the steps taken to do so.An Post Insurance offers a simple, practical way to prepare. If you’re aged between 50 and 75 years and resident in the Republic of Ireland, you may be eligible to apply for this product. Premiums start at just €20 per month**, and your monthly premium is based on the age you commence your policy and the level of cover you choose. For example, a 50 year old paying a monthly premium of €20 per month** (including 1% Government levy) would be assured for cover of €6,270 after 2 years and there are no medical questions or doctors reports needed. The full lump sum is paid to your family to help cover funeral costs or other outstanding bills, giving them breathing room at a time when they’ll need it most.<h3>A Final Thought</h3>We don’t get to choose when we say goodbye, but we can choose how gently we leave things behind. A conversation today, a note in a will, a small policy tucked away… these are gifts of clarity and comfort.And if there’s one thing Irish families do best, it’s looking after one another. *Research from An Post Insurance Funeral Insurance survey conducted by Red C in February 2024 of Adults aged 50+.** The total premiums paid over the term of your policy may exceed the death benefit.One Direct (Ireland) Limited, trading as An Post Insurance, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. One Direct (Ireland) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post. An Post Insurance is a tied agent of New Ireland Assurance Company plc for life assurance business. Life assurance policies are underwritten and provided by New Ireland Assurance Company plc. A Government levy (currently 1%) applies to all premiums paid.

The_True_Cost_of_Saying_Goodbye_What_Irish_Families_Need_to_Know_e41128107797cd809644fff6cf28d98e6f87b25d431d6f3c.png

The True Cost of Saying Goodbye: What Irish Families Need to Know

<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://share.transistor.fm/e/f540b871"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:390px;height:0"><iframe src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/f540b871" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></figure> Suicide grief is unlike any other form of loss. It arrives without warning, without preparation, and without the gentle anticipations that sometimes accompany illness or old age. It is a grief filled with shock, confusion, guilt, unanswered questions and a silence that can swallow families whole.In Episode Four of <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/">Parting Words</a>, writer and poet <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daraghfleming/">Daragh Fleming</a> sits with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/muireann.o/">Muireann O’Connell</a> to speak openly about this kind of grief, the kind that reshapes a life in an instant.Daragh was 17 when his best friend, Erbie Underwood, died after attempting to take his own life. The two had grown up together through basketball, forming the kind of friendship that becomes a defining part of who you are. When Erbie died, Daragh’s world did not just change; it collapsed.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Erbie_7f40f8947e32f64de2f621e5d3aa3bf62b0947ae4abce1cc.jpg" /></figure>The Shock That Never LeavesDaragh describes the moment he learned the truth. He arrived at the hospital with friends, expecting to visit Erbie as he recovered, and was instead led into a quiet room where Erbie’s mother told them he was gone. It is a moment that many families affected by <a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/breaking-the-silence-after-suicide-loss-clives-journey-245">suicide</a> will recognise: the suddenness, the disbelief, the sense that the world has tilted off its axis.Suicide grief often begins with shock, but it rarely ends there.The Questions That Have No AnswersOne of the most painful aspects of suicide loss is the search for meaning in something that cannot be explained. Daragh speaks about the guilt he carried for years, including the small, ordinary moment when he turned down a lunch invitation from Erbie on the day of the attempt he would not survive.It is a detail that will resonate deeply with anyone who has lost someone to suicide. The mind clings to tiny moments, replaying them endlessly, as if the right combination of memories might unlock an answer. But suicide grief rarely offers answers. It offers only love, longing and the slow work of acceptance.The Silence Around Suicide, Especially for Young MenDaragh also speaks about how invisible Erbie’s struggle was. “He was really good at acting,” he says. “I had no idea he was struggling.”This silence is something many families know too well. Young men, in particular, are often taught to hide their pain, to stay composed, to keep going. That silence can be dangerous. And for those left behind, it can deepen the grief, adding layers of confusion and self-blame.By speaking openly about this silence, Daragh helps dismantle the stigma that still surrounds <a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/understanding-mens-grief-after-suicide-246">suicide loss</a>.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Erbie_&amp;_Daragh_ff8fa31cc772e6ec3e11f4d95ce9e8965ad5b262cceee546.jpg" /></figure>When Grief Becomes NumbnessFor Daragh, grief did not look like tears or sadness. It became four years of emotional numbness, a complete absence of feeling that he did not yet understand as depression.“I was not sad. I was not happy. I was not anything,” he says.This, too, is part of suicide grief. It can flatten a person, hollow them out, leave them moving through life without connection or colour. It is a grief that affects the body as much as the mind.Finding a Way Back Through WordsDaragh eventually found his way back to emotion through writing. Journaling became a lifeline, and poetry became the tool that helped him relearn how to feel. Today, his poems often go viral for their honesty and vulnerability, resonating with people who recognise their own unspoken feelings in his words.His voice matters because he names what so many people experience but struggle to articulate.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Daragh_&amp;_Muireann_4f5747c9c210a8db40eb6466038bd84e742abf734cf19a4f.jpg" /></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img /></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img /></figure>Why This Episode MattersSuicide grief is often carried quietly. Families may feel isolated, unsure how to talk about what happened, or afraid of saying the wrong thing. But silence does not protect us. It only deepens the pain.This episode of <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/">Parting Words</a> is an invitation to break that silence.It reminds us that talking about suicide does not cause harm. Not talking about it does.It reminds us that guilt is common, but it is not a burden anyone should carry alone. It reminds us that numbness is not failure; it is a response to trauma. And it reminds us that love does not end when a life ends.Daragh’s story is not just about loss. It is about the courage it takes to speak, to feel again, and to honour someone’s memory by telling the truth.You can watch Episode Four on YouTube or <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/">listen on all major podcast platforms</a>.If you or someone you love has been affected by suicide, support is available. You can reach out to the <a href="https://www.samaritans.org/samaritans-ireland/">Samaritans</a> for confidential emotional support at any time, or connect with <a href="https://hugg.ie/">HUGG</a>, a peer support organisation for people bereaved by suicide. You do not have to carry this alone, and speaking to someone who understands can make a real difference.

Daragh_Fleming_Parting_Words_0f074932ea1f451cc5afc85ad948564a046b01c2f23a4cfa.png

When a Friend Dies Suddenly: Daragh Fleming on the Reality of Suicide Grief

<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://share.transistor.fm/e/025865ee"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:390px;height:0"><iframe src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/025865ee" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></figure>Proudly sponsored by An Post InsuranceThe<a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-3-miriam-o-callaghan-on-anger-faith-and-choosing-joy"> third episode of Parting Words,</a> our new RIP.ie podcast, brings listeners into a conversation that is both deeply personal and unexpectedly uplifting. Broadcaster <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-3-miriam-o-callaghan-on-anger-faith-and-choosing-joy">Miriam O’Callaghan</a> joins host Muireann O’Connell to reflect on the two losses that changed the course of her life: the death of her sister Anne at just 33, and the sudden passing of their father only weeks later.What unfolds is a conversation filled with honesty, humour and the kind of clarity that only comes from lived experience. Miriam speaks with a gentleness that never hides the truth, and a strength that never slips into hardness.“Life doesn’t treat you fairly”Miriam recalls the moment she realised how suddenly life can turn. Standing in a hospital lift the day before Anne died, she watched her father whisper, “We’re losing the jewel in our crown.” In that instant, she says, something in her shifted. The belief that good people are somehow protected from tragedy fell away.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Anne_18d297e22f7aee3446a47b3897a2cc8602f0729fb198ecd1.png" /></figure>She speaks openly about the anger that followed — anger at life, and even at God. It’s a rare admission from someone known for her optimism, but it’s delivered without hesitation. “I had never felt anger like it,” she says. “It changed me.”A graveside promiseIn the days that followed, Miriam found herself standing at her sister’s grave, making a decision that would shape the rest of her life. “This is it,” she remembers thinking. “Life is not for messing around.” From that moment, she resolved to live fully, love deeply and waste no time on anything that didn’t matter.It’s a philosophy that has stayed with her for three decades.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Miriam_and_Anne__c8d81a0c93af717004b1317d85b5962506c9f0cea4571caa.png" /></figure>A refusal to fear deathOne of the most striking moments in the episode comes when Miriam talks about her own mortality. She simply doesn’t think about it. “Why would I waste one second thinking about dying,” she says, “when I can spend all day loving my life?”It’s not denial. It’s perspective — the kind that comes from surviving the unimaginable and choosing joy anyway.<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/XronOU4oJeU"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XronOU4oJeU" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure>Light, laughter and the everyday moments that carry usDespite the heaviness of the subject, the episode is full of warmth. Miriam laughs as she remembers sneaking a healer into a hospital room late at night, and the chaos of raising six little girls between two sisters. She speaks about the small signs she still feels from Anne and her father, and the belief that they “had a hand” in bringing her husband Steve into her life.Muireann O’Connell guides the conversation with sensitivity and ease, creating space for both the heartbreak and the humour that sit side by side in grief.A poem for IrelandThe episode closes with a piece of poetry from writer Gerard Devine, reflecting on what it means to be Irish — the history we inherit, the blessings hidden in ordinary days, and the quiet rituals that bind us together in loss and remembrance. It offers a moment of grounding after Miriam’s story, reminding listeners that grief is both deeply personal and part of a shared cultural thread.A community response that means everythingWe’ve been genuinely moved by the response to Parting Words so far. Listeners have shared how the conversations help them feel seen in their own grief, and how comforting it is to hear familiar Irish voices speak so openly about love, loss and resilience.As our Digital Content Editor, Mairead Neary, puts it:“This podcast was created for the community, and it’s clear the community has embraced it with real heart. We are especially delighted to have Miriam O’Callaghan join us for this episode. Her honesty, humour and willingness to speak openly about anger, faith and love have resonated deeply.”<h3 style="margin-left:0px">About the Sponsor: An Post Insurance</h3>Parting Words is proudly sponsored by<a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance"> An Post Insurance</a>. The partnership reflects the company’s commitment to supporting people as they prepare thoughtfully and compassionately for life’s most difficult moments. The podcast aligns naturally with An Post Insurance’s funeral insurance product, which helps individuals plan ahead and ease the financial burden on loved ones during times of loss.Paul Grimes, Managing Director at An Post Insurance, said the series resonates deeply with their values: “Parting Words is a beautifully crafted series that treats grief with sensitivity, warmth, and authenticity. It aligns perfectly with our funeral insurance product, which helps people plan ahead and protect their loved ones when it matters most. We’re proud to support a project that encourages meaningful conversations around remembrance, resilience, and the bonds that connect us.”One Direct (Ireland) Limited, trading as An Post Insurance, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post and is a tied agent of New Ireland Assurance Company plc for life assurance business. Funeral Insurance policies are underwritten and provided by New Ireland Assurance Company plc.Listen to Parting Words on all major <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/">podcast platforms</a> and watch full episodes on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XronOU4oJeU&amp;t">YouTube</a>.

Parting_Words_Podcast,_Miriam_O'Callaghan_(1)_b652fec082c29d117ce53cb7b59464fc103de7228f5d6c2c.png

“Life Is Not for Messing Around”: Miriam O’Callaghan on Loss, Anger, Faith and Choosing Joy

Search Death Notices

Death Notices by County

Grief & Bereavement Support

Planning Ahead: Why Talking About Death Isn’t Morbid, It’s Kind

The True Cost of Saying Goodbye: What Irish Families Need to Know

Legal & Financial Advice

Making a Will as a Single Parent: Key Legal and Practical Considerations

What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

Podcasts

When a Friend Dies Suddenly: Daragh Fleming on the Reality of Suicide Grief

“Life Is Not for Messing Around”: Miriam O’Callaghan on Loss, Anger, Faith and Choosing Joy

Grief & Bereavement Support

Planning Ahead: Why Talking About Death Isn’t Morbid, It’s Kind

The True Cost of Saying Goodbye: What Irish Families Need to Know

Legal & Financial Advice

Making a Will as a Single Parent: Key Legal and Practical Considerations

What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

Podcasts

When a Friend Dies Suddenly: Daragh Fleming on the Reality of Suicide Grief

“Life Is Not for Messing Around”: Miriam O’Callaghan on Loss, Anger, Faith and Choosing Joy

Memorial Gift Shop

Ogham Wishes

RIP.ie Acknowledgement cards

Religious & Spiritual

Services Directory

Services Directory