Statistically speaking, Australia’s beloved journalist and 5-time Logie winner, Ray Martin, will be dead in 4 years. Actually, because he is male, take another 2 years off. That leaves a short window to plan his funeral and yet- has he done so? Alas, no. In fact, like most Australians, he’s barely given it much thought.

Returning to SBS with his new series Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, Ray takes an investigative deep dive into one of the nation’s last taboos – and life’s only absolute certainty – death.

As he sets about planning his own funeral in this series, Ray discovers the trends, rituals, practicalities, and emerging tech around the way we lay ourselves to eternal rest. Meeting with morticians, medical students, undertakers and death deniers, Ray seeks to understand Australia’s relationship with death. From mellifluous Samoan lullabies to heavy metal mosh pits and explosive firework farewells, Ray looks into the nooks and crannies of Australia’s varying cultures and sub-cultures to decide on which elements he would like to incorporate for his own ‘Last Goodbye’.

Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye is a poignant, revealing and, at times, humorous quest that will send Ray down the rabbit hole of dirges and vigils, cryonics and body composting, ancient rituals and inventive celebrations, using his signature curiosity, compassion and sharp observations as he contemplates his own personal farewell.

Watch Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye on SBS On Demand

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