The culture around dying tends to be one of taboo, and a subject that is not openly discussed. Dying Matters Awareness Week, which this year is taking place 5-11 May, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the subject of dying and to talk openly and honestly about our feelings around death and dying. It gives us permission to have conversations and allows us to explore options and information and to consider future care planning. Those who are struggling with bereavement can access support. Death is one of the few certainties in life but it’s good to remember that talking about it doesn’t bring it closer.

In previous years, the Future Care Planning Team has marked Dying Matters Awareness Week with an “escape room” comprising of challenges related to future care planning and hosted topical plays: “Operation Hummingbird” explored the experiences of Jimmy, an eleven-year-old whose mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness, through the eyes of his grown-up self; “Colder Than Here” was a bittersweet black comedy tackling the difficulties of a dysfunctional family grappling with the final months of their mum’s life.

This year, Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has organised a number of events. The Paul Sartori Community Choir will be launching Dying Matters Awareness Week with a lunchtime concert in Haverfordwest; the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home and Future Care Planning teams will be at an Information and Activities Day in Milford Haven, along with Sandy Bears (bereavement counselling for children), Carers Support Pembrokeshire, Natural Burial and Celebrant services and a local solicitor (for information on will writing); and they’ll be using humour to get people to engage at the Dead Good Quiz in Dinas Cross, where all the questions are related to death.

Learn more about Dying Matters Awareness Week.