A pink flower with a white skull in the center, beneath which reads "Dead Positive" and "A Community Interest Company."

Our mission is to take people and communities by the hand as they explore issues around death, dying, funerals and bereavement.

We take a revolutionary-compassionate approach to blowing away the myths around the single thing which unites all humans.

We are committed to kindness.

WHO ARE WE?

WHO ARE WE?

Decorative sign saying "Meet the Positives" with floral elements and a black background

Dead Positive is a group of like-minded humans with a collective vision.

On a mission to join together to revolutionise the world of death, dying, bereavement, mourning, grief and end-of-life rituals.

Dead Positive are obsessed by their desire to reduce the fear and silence around all things end of life. To end the taboos around the end of our breathing years.

Fascinated by the life-affirming power of embracing the inevitable.

Frustrated by the lack of openness when someone dies.

Driven to distraction by the Victorian funeral practices which do little to serve the needs of us modern people who are just out here mooching about living our modern lives.

Dead Positive has been established with an enthusiasm for loving change and in tribute to the people whose deaths have impacted our own lives.

Dead Positive is their legacy.

KIRSTIE ATHERTON

This is Kirstie. A woman with short hair and a neutral expression wearing an olive green turtleneck sweater and a bright pink pleated skirt, standing against a plain white background.

Kirstie self-identifies as a death geek. As well as being obsessed with end-of-life rituals, Kirstie is on a mission to start the conversations so many people are so reluctant to have. Kirstie is fascinated by the things we do to mark the end of our breathing years and why doing these things matters so much. She somehow manages to be funny, friendly and surprisingly unscary for someone who’s constantly wanging-on about death.

Kirstie says: “When it comes to funerals, you do you. The end of our breath needs to be marked in a way that reflects the time which was lived before, whatever that means to you.”

Founder and Director of the Revolution

This is Kirstie's Dad, her reasons for founding Dead Positive. He is a man with dark hair, a thick mustache, wearing a light-colored shirt, sitting in front of a patterned wallpaper.

Kirstie’s Current Funeral Song: Together in Electric Dreams by Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

NATALIE BIRCH

This is Natalie. Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair, smiling and resting her chin on her hand.

Director of Effectiveness

Nat is a little pocket rocket of kindness. A fantastic listener. Warm and approachable. She’s also crazy hardworking and driven. Nat’s superpower is whipping stuff into shape and getting shit done. The stable core of Dead Positive, making sure we thrive from strength.

Nat says … “My mum would be absolutely made up I’m doing this. People deserve to know that they have choices. This world of funerals needs changing.”

This is Natalie's Mum, her reason for being involved in Dead Positive. A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and earrings holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, smiling. Text below reads "NAT'S MUM - ANN 1948-2016."

Nat’s Current Funeral Song: Rolling in the Deep by Adele

LAURA BEVAN

This is Laura. A woman with curly red hair wearing a red and black patterned dress, standing outdoors in front of a brick wall and greenery, smiling at the camera.

Director of Connectedness

Laura is a powerhouse of activism. She sees things that need improving and just Gets To Work. Laura is the perfect balance of scaffold and wings – keeping us grounded whilst helping us stretch to the moon.

Laura says … “I became involved in Dead Positive to support Kirstie’s vision of breaking down stigma surrounding conversations about death and dying. Not only to normalise conversations about death and dying as a natural part of the life cycle but also in normalising these conversations people can feel more empowered when making choices about end of life and funerals.”

This is Laura's Nana, her reason for becoming involved with Dead Positive. A black-and-white portrait of a woman with curly hair, smiling slightly, wearing a patterned top, framed by a white border that reads "Laura's Nana - Audrey 1950 - 2014."

Laura’s Current Funeral Song: Laura by Bat For Lashes

HANNAH ETTRICK

This is Hannah. A woman with black hair, wearing sunglasses on her head, holding a glass of drink, smiling and laughing in a setting with a wooden wall and large green plant leaves.

Director of Presentation

Hannah is an artist. A designer. A person who can paint the most intricate pictures on the weeniest of canvases. A woman with an eye for impact. A genuine contender for friendliest human on the actual planet. Hannah has your back whilst making sure that your back (and your front) are looking fabulous. If Dead Positive do it and it looks good – H has had her mitts on it.

Hannah says … “Grief is a very complicated and personal experience. Nobody can tell another person how they should or should not feel. It’s an honour to be part Dead Positive, an honour to be able to share with others and empower them with their choices surrounding death. We’re a vulnerable species and our emotions and musings should be embraced.”

This is Hannah's Granddad. A black-and-white photograph of a young boy wearing glasses, a hat, a short-sleeved shirt, and overalls, standing with one arm resting on a chair. The text below reads: "Hannah's Granddad - Billy 1928 - 2014."

Hannah’s Current Funeral Song: Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine

KERRY TAYLOR

This is Kerry. Close-up selfie of a woman with blonde curly hair and light-colored eyes, smiling slightly.

Director of Insight

Kerry takes the lemons life gives you and throws them at the heads of monsters. She’s been intrigued by death and dying her whole life. In 2023 her whole world changed when she was widowed after 30 years of marriage. Kerry is a carer. A nurturer. A calm and steady presence. Living proof that from the ashes of devastation can come great things.

Kerry says … “Being there for people as they die, holding the hand of someone and easing their fears, caring for their body, they’re the last beautiful things you can do for a person. I’ve always worked in care but when my darling husband died, I felt so strongly about how he would be treated and cared for that I realised that this was what I was meant to do.”

This is Kerry's Husband. A man with gray beard and glasses smiling, waving, sitting at a table with a glass of dark beer, with Swedish flags hanging in the background. The caption reads 'Kerry's Husband - Dave 1970-2023'.

Kerry’s Current Funeral Song: I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders