Welcome to this month’s ‘Meet the Speaker’ where we’ll be interviewing a new member of our speaker line-up for Care Show Birmingham 2025. It’s a chance to get to know the experts behind all the real insights, experience, and guidance presented at the show. 

In this month’s editions, we’ll be learning more from Katie Costello, Soul Midwife & Soul Celebrant, End of Life Support Services…

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in palliative care?

My background was actually in retail. I’ve always loved people—getting to know them, supporting them, coaching them—and that was a big part of all my management roles. But after going through some personal life changes, I found myself drawn to care work. As soon as I stepped into that world, something just clicked. It felt like coming home. That’s where my heart truly belonged, and from there, my path into palliative care really started to unfold. Being with people as they died felt sacred and like the most natural normal thing for me to be a part of. 

What’s the focus of your presentation at this year’s conference, and why is this topic important right now?

The focus of my presentation is to talk openly and humanly about death and dying. It’s about what palliative care really means—not from a clinical perspective, but from a deeply human one. This topic feels more urgent than ever, with the hospice funding crisis, ongoing conversations around assisted dying, and the wider pressures on our healthcare system. More and more, end-of-life care is falling on communities and, most of all, families. We need to be having real, honest conversations about death and dying—and that’s what I hope to bring to the Care Show this year.

What’s one thing you hope attendees will take away from your session?

The main thing I hope attendees take away from my session is a bit more confidence in having those important conversations about death and dying. I want to show that these conversations don’t have to be morbid or heavy—they can actually be really life-affirming and meaningful. I also hope people walk away with some practical tools they can use straight away in their work, feeling better equipped to support someone at the end of life. And I’ll be giving out a handout—a simple but powerful resource that anyone can use to explore their own end-of-life wishes, no matter their circumstances. It’s about making these conversations a little easier, a little more human, and a lot more valuable.

Have there been any recent developments or research in palliative that you find particularly exciting?

One of the most valuable and timely topics in palliative care right now is the conversation around assisted dying. I know it can feel like opening a can of worms—but it’s a can that really needs to be opened. While assisted dying won’t be the right path for everyone, for some it absolutely will be, and we need to create space to talk about that openly and respectfully.

It’s about giving people autonomy, choice, and care that truly fits them. Even for those who would never consider assisted dying, the conversation itself opens up deeper reflection on how we want our dying journey to look—what matters to us, what we’d want, and what we wouldn’t. It’s a conversation that touches every part of the system—from GPs to hospices, hospitals to soul midwives, death doulas and funeral celebrants. This is about shaping care that is compassionate, person-led, and honest.

What’s one misconception about palliative care that you often encounter — and how do you address it? 

One misconception I hear a lot is that palliative care means someone is about to die—that there’s no hope, no life left to live. But actually, palliative care is about support and comfort. It’s about managing symptoms and helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible, even with a life-limiting illness. Some people are under palliative care for years. Yes, it means the illness can’t be cured, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left. There’s still space for connection, purpose, and quality of life.

Another big misconception is that palliative care is just about doctors and nurses. In reality, especially when someone is dying, it really does take a village. It’s about drawing on your whole circle of care—yes, the medical team, but also death doulas, soul midwives, counsellors, alternative therapies, spiritual support—the list goes on. Death is a human event, not just a clinical one. And the more we treat it that way, the better support we can give people and their families.

How do you continue learning and evolving in your practice? Are there any books, courses, or mentors that have influenced you recently?

I’m always learning in my role—as a soul midwife, funeral celebrant, and death educator—mostly thanks to the people I meet. I learn every single day, especially from those who are dying. Honestly, every day is a school day.

Professionally, I make sure I keep up with regular CPD, connect with other organisations, and take advantage of the learning and education they offer. I also actively seek out my own development opportunities—whether that’s spending time with other professionals across the death and funeral world, or just listening and observing.

And I love to read. One of the authors who’s had a big impact on me is Dr Katherine Mannix. Her books, especially With the End in Mind, are full of powerful real-life stories told from both a medical and deeply human point of view. She’s an incredible palliative care doctor who really gets the naturalness of death and dying, and her work always brings me back to the heart of why I do what I do

What do you enjoy most about working in this field?

It might sound strange to some, but there’s so much I genuinely love about working in end-of-life care. I love connecting with people—really getting to know them—and I feel incredibly privileged that people entrust me with their stories, their care, and often, their final chapter.

From a personal perspective, I find a lot of meaning in knowing that what I do makes a difference. At the end of the day, I can sit back and feel that I helped someone—that I brought a bit of peace, clarity, or comfort when it was most needed.

I also love the ripple effect this work has—when I finish a training session or leave a workplace and people say they’ve learned something new, or that they feel more confident supporting someone at the end of life, that’s powerful.

For me, it’s all about connection, compassion, and doing good work that matters—not just for the dying, but for the living too.

Outside of work, how do you like to unwind or recharge?

My work can be really emotionally charged, and as much as I love it, it does take a lot out of me. To keep going and keep showing up fully, I have to make space to unwind and recharge. For me, self-care isn’t about fancy spa days or holidays in the Bahamas—it’s the little things, the quick wins that fit into everyday life.

Sometimes that’s an extra-long drive home with the windows down and music blasting. Other times it’s a bar of Dairy Milk and some truly terrible TV. It might just be a mindless game on my phone while I drink a cup of tea. These small moments help me reset between clients, funerals, or training sessions.

And outside of all that, the biggest thing that helps me unwind is spending time with the people I love. Being present with my family, switching off, and just soaking up normal life—it’s everything. In this kind of work, you really learn how important that is. Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s how I keep going, and how I keep giving.

 

Come along to Katie’s session at Care Show Birmingham to learn more about death, dying, and palliative care in the People, Workforce & Wellbeing Theatre, 8 October, 12:30 – 13:00.