National Dying Matters Awareness Week runs from 18th – 24th May and St Elizabeth Hospice has organised a series of activities to encourage people to talk about their last wishes and plan ahead.
The aim of Dying Matters Awareness Week is to get as many people thinking and talking about death, dying and bereavement, and to encourage them to take steps to make their end of life experience better.
St Elizabeth Hospice is holding a ‘Talk, Plan, Live – practical steps to live and die well’ public information drop-in event on Tuesday 19th May – and anyone is welcome to come along.
At the event, which will be held at the Hospice on Foxhall Road, Ipswich, from 2.30pm – 4.30pm, there will be information stands encouraging anyone – not just those living with a progressive illness – to talk about their last wishes, including:
• Naming the song you would like played at your funeral
• Writing your bucket list
• Planning your future care and funeral
• Information on writing or amending your Will
• Finding out how to tell your loved ones your wishes
Experts will be on hand to give advice, including Hospice staff, representatives from local Funeral Directors and a local solicitor.
Julie Harris, the Hospice’s Services Development Manager, said: “We all know it is not easy to talk about these topics. But it is important we are able to encourage our patients, families, carers and the wider public to make the most of their lives and plan for the end.”
The Hospice will also be hosting a stand and getting involved with the Dying Matters Conference at UCS on Thursday 21st May along with other local charities and organisations; and will be attending the Dying Matters event at St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh on Saturday 23rd May.