Death is a normal part of life and yet having conversations about death and dying can be very difficult.
It enables people to make choices about how they would like to die and helps loved ones to cope better both emotionally and practically.
Here are some tips below and resources to help get the conversation going.
Let's find the words together...
Suffolk Libraries have put together a list of titles about compassion and bereavement - including books for children, teens, young adults and adults.
LivingGrief is the St Elizabeth Hospice bereavement service and co-ordinates support across East Suffolk.
Our LivingGrief bereavement and emotional wellbeing enquiry line, 0300 303 5196, is available to anyone affected by grief.
Our LivingGrief Hub has up-to-date information on local group support, mental health resources, as well as signposting to help if you have suffered a bereavement from:
Being able to talk with and comfort people who are experiencing end of life, loss or bereavement can be a daunting prospect - but it needn't be that way.
Compassionate Conversations is an awareness training session delivered by St Elizabeth Hospice.
It is aimed at helping people (aged 18+) build the skills and confidence to enable open, honest and sensitive conversations around end of life, loss and bereavement, whilst identifying ways to help and support others.
What does the session cover?
The Bereavement Café meets on the first Friday of each month, from, 10:30-12:00 At On The Huh Café, 3A St Peter's St, Ipswich, IP1 1XF.
The café is open to anyone coping with bereavement and loss, regardless of religion or spiritual level.
The main aim of the café is to provide a safe space to come just as you are and have opportunity to meet and share emotions and experience with others.
For more information, call 07710 756544 should any attendees feel that they would prefer to be met outside the main door of the café, to make the coming in feel easier.
See where you can find a Compassionate Conversation training session, a Compassionate Workplace, bereavement bookshelves in libraries and people who we work in partnership with:
Suffolk Libraries have recommended books via their website on bereavement and compassion. View them here.
Marie Curie have some useful videos with tips on how to support others.
Watch them below or on YouTube:
How can I help someone with grief?
How does grief feel?
Download and view the following leaflets from Dying Matters.
These leaflets help begin conversations about death, dying and bereavement, and are designed to help everyone, whatever their situation.
Dying Matters have also produced a podcast series called ‘Let’s Talk About It’ that shares peoples experiences of death, dying and bereavement in an open an honest way. Find out more on ‘Lets Talk About It’.
Click on the links below to go to third party sites which are recommended by St Elizabeth Hospice:
