Show Notes
I have to say, this episode is probably one of my absolute favourites. In this conversation on Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Evie King, author of the incredible book Ashes to Admin. Evie speaks so honestly and openly about her work as a council funeral support person, and honestly… it’s fascinating.
We cover a lot of ground — so many scenarios, so many parts of death, dying, and funerals that people either don’t realise exist, don’t want to think about, or only come to know because they’re right in the middle of it. I learned so much from this chat, and Evie shares with such clarity, insight, and compassion.
Whether this is a world you know nothing about, one you’re deeply involved in, or one you know you’re likely to face, I truly believe there is something in this conversation that everyone should hear. Evie’s work in this field is phenomenal, her book is invaluable, and she also has another one on the way.
Huge gratitude to Evie for her time, her openness, and the work she does. This one really is for everyone.
https://amzn.eu/d/gSaw5lO https://locate.international/
Evie King does not exist, but the person who plays her is a council worker and writer. A former stand-up comedian, she has always written short-form pieces in the margins of her various day jobs, contributing to New Humanist, Guardian Comment Is Free, BBC Comedy and Viz. After moving to the seaside and going part-time she had more time for writing and in 2023 completed her first book, Ashes to Admin, about her job arranging council funerals. It sold over 10,000 copies, was selected by Stewart Lee for the London Review of Books one hundred books for the next twenty years collection and won the 2025 ASDS (Association for the Study of Death & Society) Award for outstanding and original books in the field of death studies. Her second book Get Ahead of Being Dead is out in June 2026. She also contributed to the book Words to Live and Die By, a series of death haikus compiled by the acute palliative care team at Warwick Hospital. She is an ambassador for missing persons and cold-case charity Locate International and heads the UK training programme for council funeral workers.
© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.
More from Dying for a Cuppa - The Podcast
This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, I'm delighted to welcome back someone who is not only a regular guest, but also a friend of mine and the podcast. John, Past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors, is a passionate advocate for change within the funeral profession and the wider world of death, dying and bereavement. He is also an ambassador and supporter of several organisations, including Child Bereavement UK and The Good Grief Trust. But this conversation is about something particularly important. Something John has been working tirelessly towards for many years, and something that has the potential to make a real difference to generations of children. From September 2026, grief and bereavement will form part of the education children receive in primary and secondary schools in England. This is a huge step forward, and in this episode John talks us through what has changed, why it matters, what this education may look like and how we can all play a part in supporting children to better understand death, grief and bereavement. We also explore how this work is gaining international interest, including in Australia and New Zealand, and why conversations about death shouldn't begin only when someone dies. John is an absolute force for change, and I am incredibly proud to call him my friend. I'm also so grateful that he continues to give his time to share these important conversations with us.
Evie King – Get Ahead of Being Dead - Planning for death. Getting organised. And all the things you probably haven't even thought about! This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, I'm delighted to welcome back the wonderful Evie King, author of Get Ahead of Being Dead (and Ashes to Admin) Evie is an absolute font of knowledge, and thanks to her work within local government dealing with public health funerals, she has a truly unique insight into what happens when someone dies, particularly when plans haven't been made, arrangements aren't in place, or life takes an unexpected turn. And believe me, there are things you haven't even considered! This conversation is very much about the practicalities of dying and death. The planning, the paperwork, the decisions, the conversations and all those little details that can make such a difference to the people we leave behind. We explore the situations we might never imagine finding ourselves in, the assumptions we make about what happens when we die, and why getting our affairs in order isn't just sensible, it's an act of care and CONSIDERATION for ourselves and those we love. Evie's book, Get Ahead of Being Dead, is packed with practical information, guidance and insight, and this episode gives you a wonderful introduction to why these conversations and preparations matter so much. As always, Evie is an absolute joy to talk to. She's knowledgeable, refreshingly honest, wonderfully down to earth, and makes even the trickiest subjects feel approachable. If you've ever thought about getting your affairs in order, planning your funeral, or simply understanding what you need to consider before you die, this really is an episode not to miss. So grab yourself a cuppa, perhaps a notebook and pen, and join us. There's plenty to learn!
I first saw Silas Armstrong perform at the Child Bereavement UK Christmas concert in December 2025.
I’ll admit it. I had a bit of a fangirl moment with this one!! For years, I’ve followed Hospice Nurse Penny — Penny Hawkins Smith from across the pond, watching her talk about death and dying with the kind of honesty, humour and straight-talking approach that I absolutely love. Penny is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse with more than 17 years’ experience. During the pandemic, she took her death education onto social media — using straight talk, storytelling, humour and the occasional TikTok trend to make conversations about dying accessible to millions of people around the world.
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