We only get one chance to have our dying wishes met, that’s why during Dying Matters Awareness Week, which begins today, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement with those closest to them.
Corrina Grimes, Allied Health Professions Consultant at the PHA, said: “Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death.
“Sometimes we don’t like to talk about our wishes and thoughts about death and dying, perhaps due to fear of the subject or fear that we may upset our family or friends.
“However, if we don’t have these types of conversations it can mean that people’s wishes go unfulfilled and families may struggle to make decisions.
“There may be important matters you want to address now rather than when time feels limited.”
The theme for this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week is “You Only Die Once” or YODO for short, a focused call to action aimed at encouraging members of the public to take five simple steps to make their end of life experience better, both for them and for their loved ones.
The five steps are:
• Make a will
• Record your funeral wishes
• Plan your future care and support
• Register as an organ donor
• Tell your loved ones your wishes
Throughout the next seven days, events and activities are being held to raise awareness about end of life issues.
Corrina continued: “We want to get as many people as possible thinking, talking and acting during Dying Matters Awareness Week.
“Talking about dying, death and bereavement is in everyone’s interests as it can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, where we want it at the end of our lives.
“Even just having a chat with family, friends or colleagues about the importance of preparing for death can change perceptions.
“Through being more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future and support each other, together we can make a big difference.”
She concluded: “Talking about death does not bring it any closer. It is about planning for life.”
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