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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><i>Becoming a parent is a wonderful and life-changing event, and for single parents, the responsibility can feel even greater. </i></span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Appointing a Guardian</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></p><ul><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Choose Carefully: Consider who shares your values, has a good relationship with your child, and is willing and able to take on the role.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Discuss Your Choice: Speak to your chosen guardian beforehand to ensure they are comfortable with the responsibility.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Financial Provision for your Child</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">You will want to ensure that your child is financially secure. This involves deciding how your assets will be managed and distributed.</span></p><ul><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Specific Gifts: You may wish to leave particular items or sums of money to your child or others.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Letter of Wishes</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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. </span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Reviewing your Will</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">It is also important to let your executor, trustees, guardian know where your original Will is stored - and perhaps retain a copy at home.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Conclusion</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><i>Elaine Byrne is a solicitor with Elaine Byrne Solicitors in Athboy, County Meath</i></span></p><p><span style="color:black;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><strong>Disclaimer: </strong>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.   </span><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"> </span></p>

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

<p>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.</p><p>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.<br />If in doubt, get independent legal and financial advice.</p><h3>Responsibility for Nursing Home Debt</h3><p>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).</p><p>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:</p><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><p>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.</p><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><p> </p>

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What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

<p><i><strong>For twenty years, RIP.ie has been a place where Irish people gather in moments of loss, solidarity, and</strong></i><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers"><i><strong> remembrance.</strong></i></a><i><strong> In marking this anniversary, we wanted to pause and listen, really listen, to what people across the country feel about funerals, grief, and the rituals that shape how we say goodbye.</strong></i></p><p>More than 3,300 people responded to our nationwide survey, sharing not just opinions but memories, frustrations, hopes, and deeply personal reflections. What emerged is a portrait of a country that is changing but still rooted in tradition, a people who value honesty, connection, and the right to honour their loved ones in their own words.</p><h3>A clear message on eulogies: let families speak</h3><p>One finding stood out above all others: <strong>92 percent of adults in Ireland believe every family should have the right to </strong><a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/how-to-write-a-eulogy-a-guide-to-creating-a-meaningful-tribute-290"><strong>deliver a eulogy </strong></a><strong>at a funeral mass</strong>. In Munster, that figure rose to 95 percent. For an issue that has caused tension in some dioceses, the public sentiment is unmistakable. Families want, and need, the chance to speak.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/image_620cc5de9602f3cc526ec7bc684dbc00e027ec1885a3c27b.png" /></figure><p>As one of the strongest majorities in the entire survey, this result reflects something deeper than preference. It speaks to the Irish instinct to honour our dead through story, humour, memory, and truth. And while respondents were clear that eulogies should be short, most favouring under ten minutes, the principle matters more than the timing. People want space to say goodbye in their own voice.</p><h3>Funerals as celebration, but tradition still holds its place</h3><p>Ireland’s relationship with funerals is evolving but not abandoning its roots. Eighty‑three percent believe a funeral should be a celebration of life. Yet almost one in five still prefer a more traditional, sombre approach, with a similar number saying black should always be worn. In Tipperary, those<a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/customs-and-traditions-of-an-irish-wake-283"> traditional instincts</a> are even stronger.</p><p>This duality is part of who we are. We laugh through tears. We honour the old ways while making room for the new. We gather for three days, a rhythm 84 percent of people say feels “about right”, and we show up for one another in numbers that would be unthinkable elsewhere. Kerry people, for example, attend the most funerals in the country, averaging more than six in the past year.</p><h3>Grief is becoming more open, but not for everyone</h3><p>One of the most striking tensions in the survey lies in how we <a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/7-simple-ways-to-be-kind-to-yourself-while-you-are-grieving-307">talk about grief</a>. Ninety‑one percent believe Ireland is becoming more open about death and loss. Yet when asked whether grief is still considered a private matter, the country split almost exactly down the middle: <strong>52 percent said yes and 48 percent said no</strong>.</p><p>This tells us something important. While many feel freer to speak about grief, others still carry it quietly. The shift is happening, but unevenly. And that is why spaces of compassion, community, and conversation matter more than ever.</p><h3>What we believe, and what we wonder</h3><p>Ireland’s spiritual landscape is changing but belief remains a powerful thread. <strong>Sixty‑five percent believe in Heaven, 52 percent in an afterlife for the soul, and 14 percent in reincarnation</strong>. Only 16 percent believe in Hell, the same number who believe in none of the listed afterlife options. And yes, 12 percent believe in ghosts.</p><p>These numbers do not just reflect theology. They reflect curiosity, comfort, and the enduring human need to make sense of loss.</p><h3>Music, memory, and the moments that stay with us</h3><p>When we asked people to share their most memorable funeral moments, the responses were extraordinary, tender, funny, surprising, and deeply Irish. <a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/8-irish-songs-that-bring-comfort-after-loss-308">Music </a>featured again and again:</p><blockquote><p>My father was a fisherman, and the <i>Lonesome Boatman</i> was played graveside. It was so touching, a very special moment.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p><i>Highway to Hell</i> played as the coffin left the church. The parish priest played it for his close friend.”</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>The local school choir sang <i>Always Look on the Bright Side of Life</i>. The laughter and joy reverberated around the church.</p></blockquote><p>These stories remind us that funerals are not just rituals. They are acts of love. They are the final gift we give someone, shaped by who they were and how they lived.</p><h3>Parting Words, and the conversations Ireland is ready for</h3><p>As part of our twentieth anniversary, RIP.ie launched <a href="https://rip.ie/podcast/introducing-parting-words-a-new-ripie-podcast-on-love-loss-and-the-stories-that-stay-with-us-329"><i>Parting Words</i></a>, a new podcast hosted by Muireann O Connell. The conversations in Season One echo many of the themes uncovered in this survey. Guests speak openly about love, loss, and the lessons grief has carved into their lives. They talk about the moments that broke them and the moments that carried them, and they do so with the honesty and humour that feel unmistakably Irish.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/qyeJsCh7cZE?si=gqXK0DmkPTs2eiTI"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qyeJsCh7cZE" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><p>In a country where people are becoming more willing to talk about death, but where many still feel grief is private, <i>Parting Words</i> offers something rare. It gives people permission to speak. It shows that grief is not a weakness and that remembering someone out loud can be a powerful act of healing. The podcast is already becoming a companion for those who are grieving and a gentle guide for those who want to understand grief better.</p><h3>Supporting people through grief</h3><p>The survey makes one thing clear. People want support, understanding, and connection when they are grieving. They want traditions that anchor them, and they want space to express their loss in ways that feel personal and true. At RIP.ie, we see this every day in the condolence messages left by neighbours, friends, and strangers who simply want to offer comfort.</p><p>Our role has always been to support families at one of the hardest moments of their lives. That support now extends beyond notices and condolences. It includes resources on grief, guidance on planning, and initiatives like<a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers"> RIP.ie Remembers</a>, which invites people to walk in memory of someone they love. It includes the stories shared in <i>Parting Words</i>, and the community that forms quietly around each episode.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQvLMkz0B1E"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQvLMkz0B1E" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><p>Grief will always be deeply personal, but it does not have to be solitary. The more we talk about it, the more we understand it, and the more we can support one another through it.</p><h3>A country that shows up</h3><p>Perhaps the most powerful message from this survey is that funerals still matter deeply to Irish people. Wakes, months minds, graveside gatherings, 95 percent say these traditions remain important. In an age of fast communication and fragmented communities, the Irish funeral endures as one of the last places where neighbours, friends, and extended family still come together in person.</p><p>It is a testament to who we are: a people who show up, who stand together, who believe that every life deserves to be marked and remembered.</p><h3>Looking ahead</h3><p>As RIP.ie enters its third decade, these findings will help guide our work, from supporting families in grief to shaping national conversations about how we honour the dead. They also remind us that while customs may evolve, the heart of the Irish funeral remains unchanged: community, compassion, and the simple act of being there.</p><p>In listening to thousands of voices across the country, one truth became clear. How we say goodbye says everything about how we live. And in Ireland, we still choose to live, and grieve, together.</p><p> </p>

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What Ireland Really Thinks About Funerals, And What That Says About Us

<p>For twenty years, we at RIP.ie have walked alongside families and communities during some of the hardest moments life brings. It has been a privilege, and it has shaped who we are as an organisation. As we reach this milestone, we wanted to mark it in a way that feels true to the heart of RIP.ie: remembrance, connection and community.</p><p>That is why we created the <a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a>, an invitation to walk 20 kilometres during March in memory of someone special.</p><h3>How It All Began</h3><p>RIP.ie started with a simple idea from siblings Jay and Dympna Coleman, rooted in everyday family life. In 2005, Dympna was living abroad, and like so many Irish people living away, she often rang home to find out who had died locally. There was no central place to check, no easy way to stay connected to the news that mattered most to her family.</p><p>That gap sparked an idea. What began as a practical solution quickly grew into something much bigger, becoming a trusted space where people could come together to pay respects, share condolences and honour loved ones.</p><p>By 2021, the site was receiving around 250,000 visits per day and more than 50 million page views per month. Those numbers reflect something deeper: a community that values connection and remembrance, and a place people turn to when they need it most.</p><h3>A Changing Ireland, A Steady Presence</h3><p>The COVID‑19 pandemic was one of the most significant periods in our history. With restrictions on funeral attendance, families turned to online condolences in unprecedented numbers. RIP.ie became a vital outlet for connection when physical gathering was impossible.</p><p>During this time, the Central Statistics Office used RIP.ie to help calculate excess mortality, recognising the platform’s unique role in documenting deaths across the country. It was a reminder of the responsibility we hold and the trust people place in us.</p><h3>A New Chapter</h3><p>In 2024, RIP.ie became part of The Irish Times Group, a step that ensures long‑term stability and continued investment in our mission. Since then, we have continued to evolve in ways that support families not only at the moment of loss but throughout the wider journey of grief.</p><p>We have introduced new <a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support">grief support sections</a> on the site, offering clear, compassionate guidance for people who may be navigating loss for the first time or returning to it after many years. These include articles written by experts in bereavement, psychology and end‑of‑life care, as well as practical pieces on topics like planning, coping and supporting others.</p><p>In January 2026, we launched our first podcast, <a href="https://rip.ie/podcast/introducing-parting-words-a-new-ripie-podcast-on-love-loss-and-the-stories-that-stay-with-us-329"><i>Parting Words</i></a>, which brings together voices from across Ireland to share stories, insights and reflections on grief, remembrance and the ways we stay connected to those we have lost.</p><p>Through all of this, we remain committed to the values that shaped RIP.ie from the beginning: compassion, clarity and community.</p><h3>Marking 20 Years Through the <a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a></h3><p>As we approached our 20‑year milestone, we spent a lot of time thinking about how best to acknowledge it. We knew it needed to be meaningful and accessible, something that invited people to remember in their own way. Walking felt right. Walking gives us space to think, to breathe, to remember and to feel close to those we have lost.</p><p>The RIP.ie Remembers Walk invites people across Ireland and beyond to walk 20 kilometres during March, at their own pace and in their own time. There is no race and no pressure. It is simply an opportunity to honour someone special.</p><p>People can walk alone, with family or as part of a group. They can choose a place that holds meaning, whether that is a favourite beach, a quiet country road or a local park.</p><h3>A Living Tribute</h3><p>Every registrant who fundraises can dedicate one square foot of native Irish woodland in memory of their loved one. These trees will be planted in a remembrance woodland in Carlow, creating a lasting tribute rooted in Ireland’s natural landscape. Our partnership with the Native Woodland Trust ensures that each dedication becomes part of something living and enduring.</p><h3>With Síle Seoige as Ambassador</h3><p>We are honoured to have broadcaster and wellness advocate Síle Seoige leading the campaign. She brings warmth, empathy and a deep understanding of grief. She describes the walk as <i>“a beautiful way to honour those we have lost while supporting others who are navigating their own journey through grief.”</i> Her voice adds something special to this initiative.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/yQvLMkz0B1E?si=C5Z0XDaefT8Uv_0m"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQvLMkz0B1E" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>How to Take Part</h3><p>Registration is open at <a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">ripremembers.rip.ie</a>.</p><p>Participants can:</p><ul><li>Walk 20km during March</li><li>Dedicate their walk to someone they have lost</li><li>Fundraise for a charity of their choice</li><li>Create or join a group page</li><li>Receive a personalised certificate</li><li>Contribute to native woodland planting</li></ul><h3>A Collective Act of Remembrance</h3><p>Twenty years on, RIP.ie remains a place where memories live, where communities gather and where love endures. The <a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a> is our way of honouring that legacy. It is an invitation to pause, to reflect and to walk in memory of those who shaped us.</p><p><strong>Every step becomes a tribute. Every kilometre becomes a story. Together, we create a national movement of remembrance.</strong></p>

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20 Years of RIP.ie: A Journey of Connection and Community

<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><p><strong>Proudly sponsored by An Post Insurance</strong></p><p>The<a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-3-miriam-o-callaghan-on-anger-faith-and-choosing-joy"> third episode of <i>Parting Words</i>,</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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>“Life doesn’t treat you fairly”</strong></p><p>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.</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Anne_18d297e22f7aee3446a47b3897a2cc8602f0729fb198ecd1.png" /></figure><p>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.”</p><p><strong>A graveside promise</strong></p><p>In 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.</p><p>It’s a philosophy that has stayed with her for three decades.</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Miriam_and_Anne__c8d81a0c93af717004b1317d85b5962506c9f0cea4571caa.png" /></figure><p><strong>A refusal to fear death</strong></p><p>One 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?”</p><p>It’s not denial. It’s perspective — the kind that comes from surviving the unimaginable and choosing joy anyway.</p><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><p><strong>Light, laughter and the everyday moments that carry us</strong></p><p>Despite 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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>A poem for Ireland</strong></p><p>The 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.</p><p><strong>A community response that means everything</strong></p><p>We’ve been genuinely moved by the response to <i>Parting Words</i> 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.</p><p>As our Digital Content Editor, Mairead Neary, puts it:</p><p>“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.”</p><h3 style="margin-left:0px"><strong>About the Sponsor: An Post Insurance</strong></h3><p style="margin-left:0px"><i>Parting Words </i>is proudly sponsored by<a href="https://www.anpostinsurance.ie/life-insurance/funeral-insurance"><u> An Post Insurance</u></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.</p><p style="margin-left:0px">Paul Grimes, Managing Director at An Post Insurance, said the series resonates deeply with their values: <i>“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.”</i></p><p style="margin-left:0px">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.</p><p style="margin-left:0px"><strong>Listen to </strong><i><strong>Parting Words</strong></i><strong> on all major </strong><a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/"><strong><u>podcast platforms</u></strong></a><strong> and watch full episodes on </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XronOU4oJeU&amp;t"><strong><u>YouTube</u></strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

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

<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://share.transistor.fm/e/796416d7"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:390px;height:0"><iframe src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/796416d7" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></figure><p><span style="color:black"><strong>Proudly sponsored by An Post Insurance</strong></span></p><p>In this new episode of <a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/"><i>Parting Words</i></a>, broadcaster and author Jacqui Hurley joins Muireann O’Connell for a reflective, emotionally rich conversation that leaves echoes long after the final word. Jacqui reflects on the sudden loss of her younger brother, Sean, and how that moment reshaped her family’s world, their priorities and their understanding of what it means to live with intention.</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Episode_2_-_Jacqui_Hurley_on_Sudden_Loss_and_Sibling_Grief_264da6b7488c6cbea14fd9738bfedb9f8e594888d8ce7957.png" /></figure><p>Rather than walking through every detail of her story, Jacqui brings listeners into the emotional landscape of sibling grief. She speaks about the shock that arrives without warning, the surreal quiet that follows, and the fierce instinct to protect the memory of someone who brought so much joy into the world. She also explores the complexity of grieving in public while holding something deeply private close to her heart.</p><p>A powerful thread runs through the episode: the conversations we have with the people we love can become anchors long after they are gone. One ordinary evening at the kitchen table became a source of strength for her family, shaping how they honour Sean and how they continue to move forward. It is a reminder that the smallest moments can become the ones that guide us.</p><p>Jacqui also reflects on the rituals that help, the ones that don’t, and the unexpected ways comfort can appear. She talks about the signs that make her feel Sean is still close, the stories that keep him present for her children and the way grief softens and reshapes itself over time.</p><p>This episode explores themes that many families will recognise:</p><ul><li>the unique and often overlooked experience of sibling grief</li><li>the tension between public sympathy and private heartbreak</li><li>the importance of storytelling in keeping someone alive in memory</li><li>how families find purpose after loss</li><li>the quiet, everyday ways love continues</li></ul><p>Jacqui’s reflections are full of warmth, humour and a deep sense of resilience. Her message is not about “moving on,” but about moving forward with the person you’ve lost still woven into your life.</p><p>Listen to the full conversation to hear Jacqui’s story in her own words, and to discover the moments, insights and memories that have shaped her family’s journey since Sean’s death. It is a conversation about loss, yes, but also about love, legacy and the courage to keep living with an open heart.</p><h3><strong>About the Sponsor: An Post Insurance</strong></h3><p><i>Parting Words </i>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.</p><p>Paul Grimes, Managing Director at An Post Insurance, said the series resonates deeply with their values: <i>“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.”</i></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Listen to </strong><i><strong>Parting Words</strong></i><strong> on all major </strong><a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/"><strong>podcast platforms</strong></a><strong> and watch full episodes on </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyeJsCh7cZE"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p> </p>

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Parting Words Podcast: Jacqui Hurley on Sudden Loss, Sibling Love and the Legacy We Carry

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

Parting Words Podcast: Jacqui Hurley on Sudden Loss, Sibling Love and the Legacy We Carry

Grief & Bereavement Support

What Ireland Really Thinks About Funerals, And What That Says About Us

20 Years of RIP.ie: A Journey of Connection and Community

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

What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

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

Parting Words Podcast: Jacqui Hurley on Sudden Loss, Sibling Love and the Legacy We Carry

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