Gender Identity Research & Education Society

Being Ready

Being Ready logo

GIRES, in partnership with Hospice UK and Stonewall, have written a report based on the Being Ready project survey, which was the first stage of this vital project looking at trans, intersex, and gender diverse people’s experiences of death, dying, and bereavement care. 

Key findings include: 

  • 48% of professionals in these services had never received training on the needs of trans and gender diverse people. 
  • 78% of community respondents said their worries about end-of-life care were directly linked to negative past healthcare experiences. 
  • Only 8% of professionals felt very confident preparing the body of a trans or gender diverse person for burial or cremation. 
  • 68% of trans and gender diverse people said their identity shaped their end-of-life planning, often to protect themselves from being misgendered or erased. 

This report is just one of many pieces of research GIRES has helped generate to improve understanding, awareness, and ultimately, care for trans and gender diverse people – and for those who support them. 

Being Ready Survey Report 202509

The Being Ready evidence-based training for professionals 

This unique training was developed to help professionals address the needs of trans and gender diverse people during all stages of death, dying and bereavement.

Being Ready Training 

We welcome anyone who works in any capacity in death, dying or bereavement care. This training may be of particular interest to people who work in the following areas:

  • Bereavement care
  • Chaplaincy
  • Coroners’ courts
  • Funerals
  • LGBTQIA+ support and advocacy
  • Mortuary work
  • Older people’s advice and support
  • Palliative/end-of-life care
  • Patient advice and liaison services
  • Register Offices

Date: November 27th 2025

Delivery: In person or join online

In person will be at St Helena Hospice, Joan Tompkins Centre, Barncroft Close, Colchester, CO9 4JU

Online via Zoom

Time: 9am-5pm

Maximum number of participants: 30 people
Cost: £140 per person 

Training Details:

  • PDF Being Ready Training Resource Book will be sent to participants prior to the training
  • Participants will be required to complete a pre and post-training survey

Training Content

  • Introduction to Being Ready
  • Introduction to trans and gender diversity
  • The law and good practice
  • Inclusive policy and safeguarding
  • What is gender-affirming care?
  • Introducing the personal Being Ready Journal
  • Introducing the Smith family
  • Palliative and end-of-life care experiences
  • Faith and belief
  • Paperwork and admin when a death occurs (updated for Medical Examiners)
  • Funerals and memorials
  • Bereavement care 

Please book a place on the training using this link here or scan the QR code

 

Being Ready Training Part 2 

This section of the training will be delivered in 2026 in person at a venue provided by the participants

Training venue requirements:

  • Parking close to the entrance to enable discreet transportation of the Ichabodies
  • Level access or lift to the teaching room
  • Private room with space for personal care work with the Ichabodies
  • LGBTQ+ safe venue
  • Room for up to 30 participants to do practical work with Ichabodies
  • To enable hands-on training it would be advantageous to have access to a hospital bed or coffin
  • Ideal locations for the training are funeral homes, palliative care settings, or crematoria. 

If you are able to host the training, please email web@gires.org.uk

Training Day: 10am – 4.30pm 
Maximum number of participants: 30 people
Cost: £140 per person
Training criteria: Participants have to have either attended the one-day 2025 training.

Training Content

  • Introduce Vinicha and Micha Smith – Ichabodies – Death Dummies™
  • Introduction to how we work with the Ichabodies – Death Dummies™
  • Palliative care of trans and gender diverse people demonstrations
  • Intimate care for trans and gender diverse people
  • Creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people
  • Navigating complex relationships with LGBTQ+ people
  • Faith and belief considerations
  • Respecting the wishes and defending the rights of trans and gender diverse people –
  • Being Ready Journal
  • LGBTQ+ experiences of death, dying and bereavement
  • Care of the body of the person who has died
  • Mortuary etiquette
  • Reflections on caring for trans and gender diverse people

Feedback from the training

“The training was fantastic, informative and delivered in a very professional manner”

“This training would be so valuable to be delivered to pre-registration nursing and allied health professional students, so it becomes part of everyday practice”

For more information about the training camilla.thrush@gires.org.uk