Glynis German on Death, Grief and End-of-Life Planning in Mallorca

This week on the Majorca Mallorca podcast, Vicki sits down with Glynis German for a conversation about one of life’s few certainties, death.

It may sound like a heavy topic, but this episode is full of warmth, honesty, humour and practical advice. Glynis shares how her background, family life and years in Mallorca led her to become an end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant and host of Death Cafés.

They talk about why death is still such a difficult subject for many people, how grief needs space rather than silence, and why planning ahead can make an enormous difference for families. The conversation also explores what happens when someone dies in Mallorca, why funerals happen so quickly here, what repatriation involves, and why understanding the system matters whether you live on the island or are simply visiting.

Glynis also explains the role of a death doula, the purpose of Death Cafés, and why asking “what matters to you?” can be far more helpful than asking “what’s the matter with you?”

This is a compassionate, fascinating and very human episode about grief, ceremony, community and making peace with difficult conversations.

What we cover in this episode

• Glynis German’s journey from Jamaica and Wales to Mallorca
• Why Mallorca reminds her of Wales
• Her work as a celebrant, funeral celebrant and end-of-life doula
• What a death doula actually does
• Why funerals matter in the grieving process
• How families are becoming more involved in eulogies
• The cultural differences around death in Mallorca
• Why funerals happen so quickly on the island
• The importance of funeral planning, paperwork and insurance
• Repatriation and what happens if someone dies abroad
• What a Death Café is, and what it is not
• Why talking openly about death can be a relief
• Support options in Mallorca for grief, illness and end-of-life care

Chapter markers

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Meet Glynis German

01:09 Growing up Jamaican and Welsh

03:11 How Glynis ended up in Mallorca

05:33 Why Mallorca reminds her of Wales

08:03 Life and work on the island

10:53 Becoming an end-of-life doula and celebrant

13:39 Holding space for weddings, funerals and families

16:29 Asking not “what’s the matter?” but “what matters?”

19:41 Why funerals are such an important part of grief

22:01 Memorials, rituals and saying goodbye in different ways

24:45 What happens when someone dies in Mallorca

26:53 Funeral costs, planning and practical realities

32:45 Repatriation, travel insurance and preparing ahead

38:05 Why Glynis was drawn to working with death and dying

42:18 Death Cafés in Mallorca and how they help

47:31 Why these conversations matter for grief and loss

51:01 What a death doula actually does

53:16 An old role returning in a modern form

56:56 Spirituality, grief and finding peace

01:02:21 Advice for anyone feeling anxious about death

01:05:18 How to contact Glynis and find support

01:07:58 Outro

You can get in touch with Glynis here https://glynisgermanfunerals.com/

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