Saint Francis Hospice encourages community to get talking for Dying Matters Awareness Week
Saint Francis Hospice is encouraging the local community to get talking about dying, grief and plans for the end of life by taking part in this year's Dying Matters Awareness Week (2-6 May). This year's theme is 'in a good place to die'.
Dying Matters Awareness Week is a national campaign to open up conversations around death and dying, how and where we die, and what care and support we have in place.
What's on this week
Throughout the week, we will be sharing stories online, hosting various events and getting out into the community to help raise awareness.
| Date/Time | What? | Where? | About |
Tuesday 3 May 2022 10am - 2pm | Saint Francis Hospice stand | King George's Hospital | Visit us at our stand at King George's Hospital, to discuss the services we offer and how you can plan for the end of your life. |
Wednesday 4 May 2022 10am | The joy of dying with Jo Slater - Buddhist Nun | Join Jo talking about the teachings in Buddhism which is to talk about death and life. We will also find out a little more about how she shares her time in hospitals and hospices. | |
Wednesday 4 May 2022 12pm - 4pm | Saint Francis Hospice stand | Queen's Hospital | Visit us at our stand at Queen's Hospital, to discuss the services we offer and how you can plan for the end of your life. |
Thursday 5 May 2022 10am | F for funeral with Delyse Jackaman ??" Old Park Meadow Natural Burial Ground and Sharon Chapman ??" P J King Funeral Directors | Opportunities to explore different views from these 2 respected ladies who ensure that some of our most sensitive times are how we need them to be. | |
Friday 6 May 2022 10am | Why some faiths have quick funerals with Paula Graham, Pastoral Lead at Saint Francis Hospice | Dying Matters in Essex Facebook page | Our Paula Graham presents an enlightening conversation which will help us all understand why some faiths have quick funerals and why others don't. |
Friday 20 May 2022 7pm | Dying Matters in Essex PRESENTS: Outside the Box- A Live Show about Death | Old Park Meadow Natural Burial Ground, Chelmsford, CM6 3PL Tickets available at £8.68 Buy tickets | 'Outside the box asks the audience to embrace mortality and look on the bright side of life, with a weave of untold and surprising stories, a hint of history and some pithy commentary on the funeral industry. Liz Rothschild shares her unique experiences as a celebrant, burial ground owner and death café facilitators in a show which has been brewing inside her for years' |
Why is talking about death and dying important?
The Covid-19 pandemic had meant many more people have experienced the loss of a loved one, many at home and without the right emotional and practical support they need. Never before has opening up conversations about death and talking to friends, relatives and loved ones in advance been so important.
Sarah West, Hospice UK and Dying Matters Director of Campaigns and Communications said: "It is so important to talk to friends, relatives and loved ones about your and their wishes for end of life care, and Dying Matters Awareness Week is a great way for communities across the UK to get the conversation started.
"We know that right now people are dying without the emotional and practical support they need. The pandemic has seen many more people dying at home, and while we know that health and social care staff are doing their best in the hardest of circumstances, they're often finding themselves without the specialist knowledge or capacity to look after dying patients and their families. This needs to change.
"By bringing the local community together, you can help us get the UK talking about and planning for the end of life, and make sure that the health and care system can support people at the end of their lives."
Find out more about Dying Matters
With 100s of events taking place across the UK and with your support, let's talk about dying and grief, and our plans for the end of life.
Everyone deserves to be #InAGoodPlace to die, no matter who they are. For more information or if you want to host your own Dying Matters Awareness Week event, visit the Dying Matters website.
Preparing for end of life - helpful resources
