Dearly Departed

Browse and buy merchandise and books celebrating State Library’s free exhibition, Dearly Departed: death in life. Innovative, accessible, and deeply human, Dearly Departed invites visitors into a bold exploration of mortality across Queensland’s past, present and future.

About the exhibition

Throughout the 20th century, death became a quiet taboo; something rarely spoken of, despite touching every life. Positioned at the powerful intersection of history, art and emotion, Dearly Departed encourages audiences to reflect on what it means to live well, die well and honour those who came before us. It reframes death not as an ending, but as a profound and enduring part of Queensland’s living story.

Through rich historical insight, evocative artistic interpretation and interactive design, the exhibition sparks meaningful conversation about life, death and the memories that connect us all.

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