Deathly Matters: Showcasing voices not often heard the mainstream

There’s something powerful happening in Victoria, and it’s rooted in one of the few things every single one of us will experience: death.

The Deathly Matters conference on May 23rd, 2026 in North Saanich is bringing death back into everyday conversation, placing it where it has always belonged: within community, where it fosters connection and serves as a reminder of our shared humanity.

For a long time, death has been pushed to the margins. Many people have grown up without the language, confidence, or support to talk about dying, grief, or what matters most at the end of life.

Victoria has notably been on the cutting edge of progressive thinking, and how we approach dying is the next frontier. A growing number of people are choosing to engage with death in a more open, thoughtful, and supported way. The Deathly Matters conference amplifies this.

With a rockstar roster of 12 speakers on various end-of-life topics, this day-long event will showcase voices not always heard in the mainstream:

From Navigating the BC Healthcare System and being an empowered patient, to Decluttering and Downsizing with Heart, to Psychedelics for End-of-Life Anxiety, to inviting Humour and Possibility at End-of-Life, to Sacred Deathcare and Honouring Grief, to MAiD and the Shadow Side of MAiD, to Home Funerals and Environmental Alternatives for Disposition, you’ll find passionate people talking about inspiring topics!

It’s a space where curiosity is welcomed. Where questions that once felt uncomfortable can finally be spoken out loud. The atmosphere invites people to explore what death means in their own lives, at their own pace.

At the heart of it all is community and you can feel that energy with the Doing Death Different Marketplace which is running alongside the conference and is open to the public from 11am-3pm at the McTavish Academy of Art.

Vancouver Island is home to a remarkable network of death doulas, funeral professionals, hospice workers, grief educators, and advocates who are deeply committed to this work. There’s a grounded, human quality to how they show up, meeting people with presence, skill, and genuine care. It’s about walking alongside people during one of life’s most vulnerable experiences.

Holistic death care weaves together practical guidance with emotional, spiritual, and relational support. It acknowledges that dying is not only a physical process, but a deeply human one that touches every part of a person’s life and the lives around them. This community in Victoria understands this in an authentic way.

We are helping people feel more prepared, more informed, and more connected when it comes to end-of-life experiences.

Deathly Matters and Doing Death Different invite people to step closer to conversations they may have been avoiding, and to do so in a way that feels supported and grounded. Whether someone is planning ahead, supporting a loved one, or processing their own grief, there is something here for everyone.

Engaging with death doesn’t take away from life. It brings a sharper awareness of what matters, who matters, and how we want to live while we’re here.

And that’s a conversation worth having.

The Deathly Matters Conference runs from 8:45am – 4:45pm on May 23, 2026 at the McTavish Academy of Art and tickets can be purchased here. It is strongly recommended to purchase your ticket in advance to secure your spot as we are poised to see out before the event!

The Doing Death Different Marketplace is included in the Conference ticket and also is open to the public from 11am-3pm for $5 at the door.

You are also invited to join us Friday, May 22 at 4pm for the first Canadian screening of Human Forever, a groundbreaking Dutch documentary on Dementia. Created by a young man Teun Toebes, who travels to 11 different countries to explore how other cultures care for people with Dementia. It has been widely praised for its emotional depth, challenging societal perceptions, and touching reminder of the power of connection. The film will be screened at Star Cinema in Sidney and following the show there will a group discussion across the street at Small Gods Brewing Co.  Tickets are $20 and available here.