NHS South Yorkshire has encouraged people to start conversations about death during this year’s Dying Matters awareness week.
This year’s national campaign is focused on the theme ‘let’s talk about death and dying’, a theme which intends to highlight the importance of open conversations about death, at every stage of life.
Initiatives aim to break down the difficulty people experience when talking about death.
National research has shown that 27% of people find it difficult to talk about death with family and friends, while 30% say they bottle up their feelings.
Emma Latimer, Senior Responsible Officer for Palliative and End of Life Care at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “When we talk openly and honestly, we can reduce fear, challenge stigma, support one another, and ensure that care truly reflects what matters most to people and those they love.”
Organisers across South Yorkshire are running community discussions, awareness sessions and death cafes across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley this week.
Mike Reeder, 68, Senior Chaplain at St Luke’s Hospice said: “I think one of the things that stops us talking about this is that death is the one thing in life we can’t control. We are all human beings who like to have control over our lives and what happens to us, and this is one thing we can’t control.”
Reeder described how he has previously used a set of question cards called ‘“GraveTalks” at death cafes.
At cafes, small groups gather over biscuits, tea and coffee to discuss prompts from the “GraveTalk” cards.
Reeder emphasised not only the psychological and spiritual benefits but also the practical value of attending death cafes.
He said: “Nobody wants anybody to die, of course not.
“But if practical steps such as setting up a will and power of attorney are not set out, the amount of extra work it creates for family members or next of kin is huge.”
He also made clear that no one should feel excluded from having these conversations.
He said: “You are never too young to have these discussions.”