Dying Matters Week
Here are some resources you might find useful, to help with difficult conversations around death and dying:
How to talk about death
There are lots of reasons to talk about death. It can help you get to things organised, let the people closest to you know your wishes and make the most of the time you have together.
Talking about death also won’t bring it closer, and lots of families tell us it’s a relief to have the conversation and get everything into the open. It can help your loved ones cope better with the emotional and practical impact of death.
Talking about dying if you're affected by dementia
Dementia affects people in lots of different ways, but it often causes memory loss and confusion, and it can make it hard for people to carry out everyday activities. Dementia can be a difficult condition for family and friends to cope with too, as they see changes in people they love.
By putting plans in place for end of life care, you can help a loved one with dementia to live more comfortably in their final days.
Talking to someone who is grieving
It can be difficult to know what to say when someone loses a loved one. It’s totally normal to worry about saying the wrong thing or getting in the way. But it’s usually better to do something than say nothing, and there are plenty of ways you can show you’re there for someone if they need you or want to talk.
Talking with children about dying
We can’t protect children from death. They see it all the time. When a cat drops a mouse on the doorstep. When they lose a grandparent. On TV.
But one thing we can do is speak with children about death. Having an open conversation and showing we’re comfortable talking about it can stop children feeling scared, confused, alone or even guilty after someone dies. And knowing about things like funerals, burials and cremations before someone close to them dies can make it easier to cope.
