What are you burying in 2025? What are you letting die at the end of this calendar year? Image: Vasilisa at the Hut of Baba Yaga by Ivan Bilibin

Why are winter burials different in colder locations, such as areas in Canada and the Northern United States? Learn all about the history of dead houses here!

Can you name these famous poets and writers (who I can only assume imagined that their works would one day be paired with Japanese mascots getting stuck on their commutes)?

Brew yourself a warm drink, light a fire in the hearth, and curl up with your loved ones as we share the history of telling ghost stories at Christmastime.

Have you ever participated in an ice candle ceremony? Many cold-weather places claim the invention of ice candles or ice lanterns, while it is probably an instance of simultaneous invention. Regardless, ice candles continue to be in many winter rituals around the world- especially for cemeteries.

"It’s December. You step out for a walk and immediately sense something different from the busy world you left behind...You realize this peace comes from the simple fact that nearly everything is dead. You are walking through a temporary graveyard, a landscape in the midst of necessary dying."

Long time readers of TalkDeath will recognize that we typically put together a ‘Best Popular Media and Death and Grief’ guide around this time of year. But this year we’re doing things a little differently!

The poet Emily Dickinson was born #OTD 10 December 1830. 'Because I could not stop for Death He kindly stopped for me The Carriage held but just Ourselves And Immortality' A shrouded skeleton and hourglass on the 1640 Crosby pew, Little Barningham, Norfolk, a modern replica of one stolen in 1995.

The holiday season can be an especially painful time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. As a time of year that is marked by celebration and joy, knowing how to engage with and express your grief can be very difficult.

Love it 🙌

What can death care learn from disability justice? talkdeath.com/what-death-c...

Epidemie (Epidemic) by Alfred Kubin from 1901.

Eternal Silence in the snow, this morning at Graceland Cemetery

Our latest article written by guest writer Radiana Piț explores the important roles women have held with funerary rites and rituals in rural Romania. You can read it here 🌿 talkdeath.com/women-at-the...

whattaya say we turn this funeral house into a funeral home

Bundle up with some TalkDeath merch! 20% off all TalkDeath Merch Nov 26- Dec 2❄️U.S. enforced tariffs are driving small Canadian companies out of business- We are so grateful for those who have still been able to support us through merch sales and appreciate your patience with longer shipping times

Some Dolly for your weekend

“Today, the rigid view of a binary biological sex (male and female) and the vitriol of hatred aimed at the LGBTQ+ community is plain to see. While the hatred is unjustified, the cornerstone of the argument around ‘only’/’real’ men and women is fundamentally incorrect. "

#TheVIctorianBookoftheDead A paper shroud for Baby: 1899 thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/a... [Alert: The original post is headed by a child's post-mortem photograph, which may be upsetting to some readers.] #WorldChildrensDay

If you plan to have a headstone one day, what symbol do you want on it? 🪦

Gravestone of Solomon Mears, 1759, at Edwards Cemetery in South Windsor, Connecticut. Carved by Ebenezer Drake.

Join TalkDeath’s Book Club as we discuss Achille Mbembe’s Necropolitics. I know sometimes reading “theory” or “academic writing” can be intimidating but it does not have to be! We can read and learn together ❤️

In honor and celebration of today, sharing this article published by TalkDeath guest writer, M.S. Mekibes Meza, “How Sugar Skulls Make for a Very Sweet Day of the Dead.” talkdeath.com/how-sugar-sk...

Halloween occupies a strange place in the realm of holidays. Perhaps it is because, unlike most holidays on the calendar, Halloween is all about paying tribute to the spooky, scary, and downright deadly.

“Each year as the end of October draws near, we are haunted by images of our inevitable demise. The rattling bones of a skeleton, decontextualized from our own anatomy, and spooky white-sheet ghosts, representing our soul, adorn front yards across the world."

Venice Bakery is remembering those that have died in ICE custody this year by adding them to their community altar for Dia de Los Muertos. By @eltragon.bsky.social

“i hope I die warmed by the life I tried to live” — Nikki Giovanni

Today was the @talkdeath.bsky.social Cemetery Scavenger Hunt and I had a lot of fun running around in the cemetery (but I don't think I won)

A day of looking for things! Thanks, @talkdeath.bsky.social! prologuist.blogspot.com/2025/10/find...

Our annual Cemetery Scavenger Hunt is tomorrow! Arrive at your local cem of choice at 2:15pm ET/ 11:15am PT and wait for the clues to drop at talkdeath.com/hunt at 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT! More info here- talkdeath.com/talkdeath-20...

Yes! #BlackGravesMatter. Thanks to @talkdeath.bsky.social for supporting the Black Cemetery Network blackcemeterynetwork.org

How has your relationship with death and grief influenced how you view horror?

We're warmed to share our latest article from guest writer Najmeh Tima "From Silence to Celebration: Public Death and Mourning in Iranian Shia Culture"

Brings another level to “Rest in Peace” @coffincollector “Interesting bed like gravesite for "Roger & Jennie" in Woodland #cemetery Des Moines, Iowa. The large headboard #tombstone was weathered beyond legibility, only the names on the pillows were readable."

Can't wait to see who I'll meet at my local cemetery during TalkDeath's Cemetery Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, October 26th at 11:30am PT. Deets here: talkdeath.com/talkdeath-20... Via @talkdeath.bsky.social

We're warmed to share that this year's Cemetery Scavenger Hunt (coming up this Sunday, October 26th at 2:30pm ET/ 11:30am PT) is especially special as we’re raising funds for the Black Cemetery Network! ⁠

It's back! TalkDeath's Cemetery Scavenger Hunt is back and bigger than ever! Head to a local cemetery of choice on Sunday, October 26th at 2:30pm ET/ 11:30am PT to participate. Learn more about our partners, vendors, and rules here:

"Reading can be a way to enter a meditative state and confront feelings that might be too distressing to reflect on otherwise. It can often feel like a solo endeavor, but can be a powerful way to connect with the like minded to discuss topics you might not be able to otherwise."

Tuesday October 21 7pm eastern We are talking about Sexual Bereavement with guest facilitator Jess DeVries Hosted on zoom in English with automatic closed captioning. #deathpositive #queer #grief #bereavement #sex #discussion #lgbtq www.eventbrite.ca/e/sexual-ber...

“Dance of Autumn," circa 1917. Painted by Piotr Stachiewicz (1858–1938). What does this make you think of?

September is suicide awareness month. We wanted to take a moment to share why we say ‘died by suicide.’ There is a lot of stigma around suicide Using neutral language helps with navigating important and necessary conversations

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 thank you @talkdeath.bsky.social !!!!

We are honored to share our latest article by guest writer, Maya Williams. “The Importance of Black Feminine Beautification Rituals for Funerals in American Religion”

At rest by photographer Emma Kissel (2011) This series presents a tender view of an overlooked site of mortality and violence- animals killed by cars.

SAVE THE DATE! This year, TalkDeath’s Cemetery Scavenger Hunt will be held on Sunday, October 26th at 2:30pm ET | 11:30am PT. You can participate at any local cemetery of your choice that is open to the public and allows photography for private purposes 🖤

🧢SURPRISE! We have hats for you 🧢Just in time for autumnal strolls through the cemetery, contemplating death while fall leaves change color, and a little anonymity on your morning coffee walk.

Grief platitudes and knee-jerk responses might be meant to comfort but they can be more harmful than supportive. Even if you’re coming from a good place!

With Labor Day soon, we wanted to look what happens to grief when expectations of work prevents us from sitting with our grief. In our latest article by guest writer Jakob Straub, he explores labor, grief, and economies of care and time while sharing about the loss of his father.

Some cemetery symbolism you may or may not have seen before from @gravestonesofnewengland on IG “Many early 19th century gravestones feature willow trees as a symbol of mourning. However, this particular stone has a different take on that..