That’s the theme for Dying Matters Awareness Week this year, which will be taking place from Monday 6th – Sunday 12th May.
From the Dying Matters newsletter….
The mission of Dying Matters is to break down the stigma and taboo of talking about death and dying. To this day, that’s still applicable to much of the UK.
But do we all have the same attitudes, views and practices on death and dying?
There are of course many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths approach and mark death and dying. But at their core, feelings about dying, and our experiences of grief, are universal emotions that we all share, no matter who we are or where we live.
While a friend or family member’s death can affect every person differently, studies of grieving brains have shown that there are no scientific differences in relation to race, age or religion. We can all feel the impact of the loss, helplessness, sadness – but we may do it, and show it, in different ways.
We may all talk about death and dying in a multitude of ways, but we share a common thread.
That’s why this Dying Matters Awareness Week, we’re focusing on how different communities and cultures in the UK feel, talk about, and deal with death and dying – and what brings them together.
Because the culture of Dying Matters.
Read more about this year’s theme
Time to start planning an event?
Every year, people around the UK use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them.
One way that they do this is by holding an event during the week. And the good news is that anyone can do that, including you! You don’t necessarily need any experience – just a passion for helping others talk openly about death and dying.
Dying Matters Awareness Week events don’t have to be anything formal (although they can be). People have done all sorts of things in the past, ranging from holding a death café or meetup to simply chat about death and dying, to setting up an information stand in their local community centre, putting up one of our information posters in their café, or holding an online discussion.
Community organisations, libraries, NHS departments, hospices, funeral directors, authors, cafes, book shops, theatre companies, orchestras and choirs – to name a few – all of these, and more, held some sort of event or activity for Dying Matters Awareness Week last year.
Planning an event: a free toolkit
To help you think about what your event might be and how to organise it, we’ve got a whole host of resources on our website. These will also help you plan the details and with things like how to promote it in your area.
If you do hold an event, you can submit the details on our online form, and we’ll add it to our ‘What’s On’ listings page for free.
Remember, the more Dying Matters Awareness Week events that our communities hold, the more you’ll be helping break down the stigma of death and dying, and helping people talk openly and honestly about it. And the more who do that, the less who’ll be afraid of it.
Take a look at our events toolkit
Check what’s on in your area
You might simply prefer to attend an event this year that someone else has organised. As event organisers send us their listings, we’ll be updating our What’s On page, with events on a Google Map, and listings by region.
But if you’d prefer to stay in the comfort of your own home, there will be plenty of events taking place online – you’ll be able to join from your phone, tablet or computer.
Looking for our Resource Packs?
Each year, we produce a community resource pack to help you put on an event. In the pack you’ll find information on the theme, Talking Points conversation starter cards, printable posters and bunting templates, social media graphics, a template press release and more.
We’re currently working on these, and they should be available in early March. We’ll email you when they’re ready, and you can also check our resources page for updates too.
We’d like to hear from you
During Dying Matters Awareness Week, we want to share your stories of death and dying in your community, culture or faith.
If you’d like to contribute, please send your experience in via our Share Your Story form.
Ideally, we’re looking for anywhere from 50 to 250 words, and a photo if you have one. You could write in answer to this question: what does the culture of dying mean to you?
> You could describe an experience you’ve had of a death in your family or community, and what cultural or faith practices or traditions took place before, during or after.
> Perhaps the person who died was cared for by their family or friends?
> Perhaps there was a particularly joyous funeral or life celebration?
Is there something you wish people knew about the way that death and dying is approached, or talked about, in your community, culture or faith?
Thank you for supporting Dying Matters. We couldn’t do it without you.
———————-
https://mailchi.mp/hospiceuk.org/dmaw-2025?e=2ebcfdd234
Leave a Reply