SANCTUM OF THE DEAD Inside the Hospital Mortuary with Gemma Norburn on Sunday 8th October 2023 from 3:30 pm Mortuaries are places that many shy away from. Most people imagine them to be dark places with unpleasant sights and smells, which does beg the question who could possibly wish to work in them? This talk will cover some sensitive topics, including post mortem examinations and natural changes that occur in the body after we die but will most importantly demonstrate the upmost respect and dignity of the deceased person which is upheld in mortuaries. Gemma Norburn will examine what unfolds during a typical, and also untypical, working day within a hospital mortuary from her own experiences. She will explore the various activities and tasks which are needed each day to care for the deceased, within the legal framework of after death investigation and to prepare them to be released into the care of who is collecting them. Gemma will also investigate the meticulous actions undertaken to ensure the sanctuary hums with life even in the face of death. Moreover, she will unravel the rare moments, when the ordinary surrenders to the peculiar, and the mortuary echoes with the extraordinary. Tickets £12 including a 20% donation toward a host of restoration projects at Kensal Green Cemetery. Please click here to buy. GEMMA NORBURN Gemma Norburn is a dedicated Anatomical Pathology Technologist with a passion for unraveling the mysteries of mortality. As a death blogger, she delves into the intricate world of pathology, sharing her insights and knowledge to shed light on the intricacies of life's inevitable conclusion.