On exhibit November 6, 2026 to January 2, 2028

Death and grief are uncomfortable subjects as we fear the unknown they represent. It’s an off-limits topic for many people, something we protect people from, particularly children. But death is a shared human experience that cannot be avoided. By examining customs and practices from a range of time periods, backgrounds, and faiths, Dying Matters explores this topic that affects everyone in their lives. The exhibit features mourning and funeral related artifacts from the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives collection in addition to loans from other museums and private individuals. Interactives explore the themes of grief and mourning, revealing common misconceptions in the process. Dying Matters aims to remove some of the unknown and help visitors engage in these difficult conversations. Encouraging and engaging in conversations about death will help to demystify it, making everyone more comfortable with the subject.