Death is a subject that will affect all of us at some point but which is not often discussed.
Our cultural lack of openness has affected the quality and range of support and services available to people who are dying and also to their families. It has impacted our ability to die where or how we would wish and it also means that we do not make ‘good consumers’ when the time comes to make funeral arrangements.
We devote a large part of our time to raise awareness for end of life choices and to encourage discussion. This might be through Death Cafes or participating in events organised by groups such as Conscious Living Expo, Dying to Know Day, Enviro Festivals, People Who Care and Have a Go Day Expos.
We do this because we believe that if people talk and plan in advance about dying, death and bereavement it will help to resolve any number of issues which may arise when the time comes.
These could range from alleviating expectations and possible family arguments about what the ‘proper’ funeral should be, to keeping the family out of debt, to feeling proud in the knowledge that your loved one has had the death they wanted.
