The Culture of Dying Matters, says Saint Francis Hospice

Check out our Culture of Dying Matters Video here:

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (5 -11 May 2025), Saint Francis Hospice, is inviting people to join the conversation about death, dying, and grief in ways that resonate with them. 

This year’s theme is, The Culture of Dying Matters, and we invited staff across the hospice to share what matters in their ethnicity and culture when a loved one is seriously unwell and dying.   

Evelyn Asiam, Community Team Lead with the specialist community nursing team, said, “It’s very important for Ghanaian people to come together to support someone who is ill physically, socially, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.  

“We make sure the person is not alone and doesn’t feel alone. Ideally, we like to look after them at home, but we also recognise that there are limitations, and we may need some help and so we accept help as and when needed.” 

Mark Gilbey-Cross, Quality Improvement Lead, said, “I am British and for me, two things come to mind instantly when I think about my own death. The first is not wanting to die in pain and the second is around ensuring that I don’t die alone.  

“It’s also important for me to have my close friends around me, have my symptoms well controlled and get to choose my preferred place of death.” 

Jayshree Shah, Data Quality and Administration Assistant, said, “I am Indian and follow Jainism. When thinking about end-of-life in our culture, we like to be surrounded by family and loved ones.  

“We recite prayers and religious songs to help us through the difficult time and to create an environment for the person to pass into their new life.” 

Shahina Haque, Family and Individual Support Services Manager, said, “When someone is dying, religion is very important. This means listening to the Quran and being able to read the Quran.  

“There are rituals in place for someone of Bengali culture and the community as well. Family being around is also vitally important.  

“If you haven’t seen the person that’s sadly dying, we encourage that because many people seeing them means more people praying.” 

Grazina Berry said, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Good end-of-life care in Lithuania is all about being listened to and having your spiritual needs met as well as the medical ones.

“Being with loved ones is really important, as is effective symptom and pain management.” 

Milena Strzetelska, who is a Social Worker with the Family and Individual Support Service team, said, “I am from Poland and when someone approaches the end-of-life, usually the whole family will gather and pray for the person. "The family will make sure they provide emotional support, and all their practical needs are met.” 

This year’s theme, The Culture of Dying Matters, is particularly pertinent as we know we are not reaching everyone who needs our care, particularly people living in our most diverse boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge and our underserved communities. Our recently published five-year strategy sets out who we will work with to ensure equity of access to our services.

Dying Matters Week awareness roadshow taking place week commencing 5th May: 

Saint Francis Hospice will be on hand to discuss hospice services on the following dates and locations: 

• 7th May, Saint Francis Hospice stand on Brentwood High Street 

• 8th May, Saint Francis Hospice stand at King George's Hospital 

• 9th May, Saint Francis Hospice stand at Queens Hospital