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Condolence Books - Printed and Bound

RecaptureOne - QR Coded Memory Plaques

Mini Condolence Books - Printed and Bound

RIP.ie Sympathy cards

RIP.ie Acknowledgement cards

Condolence Book for Home Printing

RIP.ie Candles

Ogham Wishes

Angel Ornaments & Keepsake Boxes

St. Brigid Gifts

Pressed Flowers with Verse / Photo

Religious & Spiritual

Hand-carved Celtic Wall Hangings

Mounted Prints

Ogham writing is Ireland's ancient script. Hand-painted, stylish wall hangings. For indoor use.

Whether given as a gift or lit in memory, this candle serves as a beautiful tribute to those who are gone but never forgotten.

Creating a printed hardbound book of online messages of condolence can be a meaningful way to preserve and honour the memories of a loved one.

<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>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

<p><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">The RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a> is about more than honouring loved ones. Every step taken by participants also contributes to a greener, more sustainable future. In partnership with the Native Woodland Trusts, every participant who registers and supports a charity will have one square foot of native woodland planted in memory of someone they love. This begins the transformation of individual remembrance into a collective environmental impact, creating a living, lasting tribute to both people and the planet. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.nativewoodlandtrust.ie/">Native Woodland Trust</a> is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and expanding Ireland's woodlands. These woodlands are home to native trees and countless species of wildlife, many of which rely on these habitats for survival. By planting native trees, participants in the RIP.ie Remembers Walk helps restore these ecosystems, supports biodiversity, and contributes to the ongoing preservation of Ireland's natural heritage. </p><p>Each participant will receive a personalised certificate commemorating their loved one, symbolising a tangible connection between memory, life, and nature.</p><h3>Why This Initiative Matters</h3><p>Planting native trees restores natural habitats and supports biodiversity. It helps climate change by absorbing carbon and contributes to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals by combining remembrance with environmental responsibility. Each tree planted is more than a tribute; it is a tangible act of hope and legacy in Ireland's natural heritage. </p><h3><a href="https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/why-we-walk-the-story-behind-ripie-remembers-306">How Participation Creates Lasting Impact</a></h3><p>Every step of the RIP.ie Remembers Walk is meaningful. By registering and supporting a charity, participants: </p><ul><li>Plant a living tribute for their loved one, leaving a permanent mark on Ireland's landscapes.</li><li>Contribute to biodiversity by restoring native woodlands and protecting endangered habitats.</li><li>Support ESG goals through measurable environmental actions that engage the community.</li></ul><p>Together, these small but significant actions combine to create a large-scale impact. Each participant adds to a collective that preserves Ireland's natural heritage while fostering remembrance and connection.</p><h3>A Legacy That Grows</h3><p>The RIP.ie Remembers Walk transforms personal grief into a shared purpose. It allows communities to come together, honour their loved ones, and take action that benefits both people and the planet. Every step walked, every tree planted, and every story shared contributes to a legacy of remembrance, commemoration and environmental responsibility. </p><p>Step by step, we are planting hope that will grow for generations. Through this initiative, the lives we remember continue to inspire and nurture the world.</p>

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Planting Hope: How Your Walk Helps Grow a Greener Future

<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

<p><span style="color:black"><strong>Proudly sponsored by An Post Insurance</strong></span></p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://share.transistor.fm/e/3c3b8c6e"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:390px;height:0"><iframe src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/3c3b8c6e" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></figure><p> </p><p>Every day on RIP.ie, families share memories of the people they have loved and lost. Through leaving condolences, we see stories filled with humour, heartbreak, resilience, and the quiet moments that define a life. These stories remind us that grief is not only about endings; it is also about connection, legacy, and the ways love continues.</p><p>Today, we are honoured to introduce a new space for these conversations: <strong>our brand‑new podcast, </strong><a href="https://partingwordspodcast.transistor.fm/"><i><strong>Parting Words</strong></i></a><strong>.</strong></p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/GidMefbW6M8?si=AOu7H3xB1bgA3kDb"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GidMefbW6M8" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><p><strong>Why We Created </strong><i><strong>Parting Words</strong></i></p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/RIP_ie_Podcast_LOGO_-_v3_-_LRG_b569d6deae714edf8a207679e60d389227d2da3f7d25f41b.png" /></figure><p>Grief touches every family, yet it can feel incredibly isolating. People often struggle to find the right words, or to know whether what they’re feeling is “normal.” But when someone shares their experience openly, it can offer comfort, clarity, and a sense of companionship.</p><p><i>Parting Words</i> was created to bring those voices together.</p><p>Across the series, guests speak candidly about love, loss, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. These are not stories about death — they are stories about life, courage, and the bonds that endure long after someone has passed.</p><p><strong>Meet the Host: Muireann O’Connell</strong></p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%"><img src="https://img-dedicated.rip.ie/Head_and_Shoulders_Muireann_64b7fbf113fa3d7b3b8b060e5c6b55aece7ae557331bfe2d.jpg" /></figure><p>Guiding each conversation is <strong>Muireann O’Connell</strong>, one of Ireland’s most engaging and empathetic broadcasters. Known for her warmth, humour, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Muireann brings a gentle steadiness to each episode.</p><p>She listens deeply, asks the questions that matter, and creates a space where guests feel safe to share the most personal parts of their journey.</p><p><strong>Episode One: Colm Hayes on Love, Loss, and Living Through Grief</strong></p><p>Our first episode features a voice familiar to listeners across the country: <strong>Colm Hayes</strong>, a legend of Irish radio whose career spans pirate stations, FM104, 2FM, Radio Nova and Classic Hits.</p><p>But this conversation is not about radio. It is about Colm’s beloved wife, Anne.</p><p>In September 2025, Colm shared that Anne had passed away after a six‑year battle with breast cancer. In this moving and intimate episode, he reflects on:</p><ul><li>how they lived with cancer while still protecting joy and normality</li><li>the strength and humour that defined Anne</li><li>the shock of grief, even when you think you’re prepared</li><li>the small rituals and supports that help him navigate life without her</li></ul><p>Colm speaks with honesty, tenderness, and a love that is felt in every moment of the conversation. The episode offers comfort, insight, and a reminder that grief is not something to “get over” — it is something we learn to carry.</p><p>We won’t give away the full conversation here, but listeners can expect a powerful, heartfelt start to the series.</p><p><strong>A Six‑Part Season</strong></p><p>Season 1 of <i>Parting Words</i> is a six‑episode series. A new episode will be released each month, with every guest offering a different perspective on grief, remembrance, and the enduring ties that shape our lives.</p><p>Our hope is that these conversations help people feel supported, understood, and connected, wherever they are on their own path through loss.</p><h3><strong>About the Sponsor: An Post Insurance</strong></h3><p>Parting Words 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=GidMefbW6M8"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p> </p>

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