Dying to Know
A relaxed, informative evening about death -
and the choices you might not realise you have
Meet the Speakers
You’ll hear from a small group of experienced, local professionals who each see different parts of what happens when someone dies - from the practical, to the legal, to the deeply personal.
Between us, we’ll share insight, experience, and things most people aren’t told - so you can feel more informed, more prepared, and more confident about the choices available to you.
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Speaker Bios
All Your Love
Claire Vickery
Qualified professional celebrant
Claire creates deeply personal funeral ceremonies that reflect the life, character and story of the person at their centre. Working closely with families at one of the most difficult times in their lives, she brings calm guidance, thoughtful structure, and a genuine understanding of what matters most.
Through her work, she sees first-hand the questions people wish they’d asked sooner - and the difference it makes when they do.
Kept Assets
Grant Notman
Bloodline Adviser
Grant came into estate planning following the unexpected death of his brother - and the realisation that even paid-for advice can go badly wrong.
More than a decade on, he brings both professional expertise and lived experience to help others avoid the same pitfalls - making sure plans are clear, robust, and truly protect the people they’re meant to.
Tomalin & Son
Bruce Jones
Independent Funeral Director
With decades of experience supporting families through loss, Bruce offers a clear, honest perspective on what happens after someone dies - and the choices people often don’t realise they have.
Known for his straightforward approach and deep local knowledge, he helps families navigate practical decisions with care, clarity, and respect.
Campaigner
Louisa Nicoll
Registered Nurse, Speaker, and Patient Advocate
Louisa brings together clinical experience across community, hospice and hospital settings with personal insight following her husband’s illness and death.
She now focuses on helping people better understand their options, ask the right questions, and have conversations about care and future wishes before they become urgent - supporting more informed, confident decision-making at every stage.
Overview
There are certain things most of us know we ought to understand a little better - but somehow never quite get round to.
Not through avoidance. Just… life.
This evening is a chance to step into that space, without pressure or urgency - and to come away with a clearer sense of what’s possible, whenever the time comes.
The Details
Where
Pangbourne Club
(formerly Pangbourne Working Men’s Club)
When
Tuesday 19th May
Doors 6:30pm for a 7pm start on the talks
Who
A small group of local professionals, each bringing a different perspective:
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A local funeral director
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A specialist in wills, trusts and estate planning
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And me - your local celebrant
Alongside the main talks, there will also be a handful of other trusted experts in the room, available for informal conversations afterwards.
Audience
Anyone who's curious to know more.
Tickets are absolutely free, largely due to Pangbourne Club's generous hosting of this community event.
Parking
There is ample parking in the public carpark adjacent to Pangbourne Club.
Club members - remember to enter your registration into the system on arrival.
>>> Non-members - you must pay for your parking at the machine in the car park or face a fine <<<
Entry
The event is in Rosewood Hall (the main hall). Please enter through the main bar door. You will be directed by a member of the team and there will be signage, too.
What to Expect
The evening has been designed to be informative, but never heavy.
The talks themselves will be short and to the point - no lectures, no overload - just clear, useful insight into areas around death and dying that can otherwise feel a little opaque.
We’ll cover:
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What actually happens when someone dies
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The choices available when planning a funeral
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How to put the right things in place for the future
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The support that exists - both practical and emotional
There will also be a Q&A session, with questions taken:
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from the floor
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and from a question box available throughout the evening, if you’d prefer to ask something more privately
And yes - there will be a goody bag. A genuinely useful one, not just paper for the recycling.
Why This Matters
When these moments arrive, they rarely come with much notice.
And whilst there is always support available, decisions are often made quickly - sometimes without a full understanding of the options.
The aim of this evening is simply to change that.
To offer a little more clarity.
A little more confidence.
And perhaps a sense that there is more choice - and more flexibility - than people often realise.
A Final Note
You don’t need to prepare anything.
You don’t need to make decisions.
You don’t even need to stay until the end.
Just come along, take a seat, and take from it whatever feels useful.
That’s more than enough.
