A festival for the living

It happens to every one of us, so why do we find it so hard to talk about death – or even to think about it, let alone prepare for it? York’s Dead Good Festival re-imagines death, dying and bereavement and brings to light ways we as a society can do things differently. The more we learn, the more we see the dignity, respect and wellbeing we can bring to the end of life. Through education, practical information-sharing, music, art, and conversation we can, together, discover how to accept and prepare for the inevitable, to everyone’s benefit. We hope you’ll join us!

What we’ve lined up so far, with more to come. Click the YDGF26 Draft Schedule link at top of the page for more details.

Friday and Saturday 8 and 9 May

• Departure – A music and dance performance by movement artist Masumi Saito and composer/musician An-Ting that explores the themes of death, ritual, and the spirit, at York Theatre Royal

Monday 11 May

• The Hand Blessing Workshop

• Open Day at Mill Cottage Pet Crematorium

Wednesday 13 May

• What do end-of-life doulas do?

Friday 15 May

• St Leonard’s Hospice open day (details to come)

• Crematorium tour

• Consciousness post death with David and Linda Fryer

• And more!

Saturday 16 May – York Explore, talks, workshops and Dead Good Information Fair

• Dead Good Information Fair 9 to noon:

  • York End-of-Life Doulas

  • St Leonard’s Hospice

  • Francesca Green, Celebrant

  • York Grief Alliance

  • Ageing Without Children

  • A solicitor to discuss wills, power of attorney, probate, and so on

  • Grief, bereavement, and nutrition

• Afternoon talks and workshops:

  • Don’t want a traditional funeral?

  • York death cafe

  • Why do we fear death?

  • Feeding grief (nutrition and bereavement)

Sunday 17 May

• Love, Loss and the Afterlife at Mindful Memorials in York Cemetery. The event is dedicated to helping people explore grief, connection, and meaning with compassion and curiosity. It brings together science, storytelling, and community for reflection, remembrance, and hope. Our event invites people to talk about experiences, ask big questions, and feel supported as they navigate life after loss.

• Poetry in York Cemetery by Clive Dawson

• Music in the York Cemetery Chapel:

  • Music of remembrance from The Swan Song Project

  • Heavenly harp music by Emma Yates

  • A sound bath by Sounds of Divinity

  • A song bath with a group of threshold singers

  • A set of songs of love and death by Acomb folk trio Steam Pigeon

• Drumming Circle with Elaine the Humble Drummer

• Light and Lineage – Understanding Ancestral Healing Through Ancestry