‘To read a life, to clothe the bones, to tell a story’: negotiating death and loss through archaeology and creative practice (the Continuing Bonds: Creative Dissemination project)

While death is universal, experiences of dealing with the dead and dying differ vastly, and yet despite the universality of our mortality, death can remain, for many, a difficult and challenging topic of conversation. This paper presents the methods and results of a creative approach to normalising talk of the dead, which draws on examples from archaeology (materials from the past) and ethnography (experiences from across the world) to demonstrate difference, and open up dialogue, from a safe and distanced place (the past). The materials, quotes, and experiences from contemporary life drawn from the original Continuing Bonds: Exploring the Meaning and Legacy of Death through Past and Contemporary Practice project were used as prompts and inspiration for creative writing. We argue for the benefits of using creativity to explore death, dying, bereavement and loss, challenging concepts of ‘right’ or ‘normal’ ways to grieve, and promoting a healthy confidence in discussing these difficult issues. Our project participants reported that discussing death, and responding reflectively and creatively, enabled them to better celebrate life.