When: Thursday 19th May, 7.30pm
Where: Catford (map)
Time to mention the ‘D’ word
Although we live in an age where more or less anything goes on social media, people still pussyfoot around when it comes to talking about dying. At this month’s event we are going to talk about death, looking at initiatives inspired by Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 9th-15th May.
Dying Matters is a coalition with 32,000 members drawn, amongst others, from the NHS, the care sector, faith and community organisations, and the funeral sector. Its mission is to encourage people to talk about death and dying, as well as discussing their wishes towards the end of life – because in Britain this is something we are often reluctant to do.
Yet experience shows that if people can overcome this, both they and those close to them will benefit when their life approaches its end, as well as family and friends coping better after they die.
This is not just about facing up to dying itself – there are many practical things to be done in advance that can make life easier at a difficult time, like making a will; making an Advance Decision about your treatment if your health deteriorates; or giving someone you trust a Lasting Power of Attorney to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so.
This year’s Awareness Week slogan is ‘The Big Conversation – talking about dying won’t make it happen.’ So let’s talk.
BHA celebrant Trevor Moore will explain more about Dying Matters, show a short
film made for Awareness Week, and lead an open discussion, including contributions from some of his celebrant colleagues, in which he will invite anyone who is so minded to share their thoughts and experiences on facing dying and the finality of death itself.
