Each year Dying Matters promotes an ‘Awareness Week’ that seeks to act as the catalyst for people across the country to talk about dying and its implications. The goal is for a ‘good death’ to become the norm. The theme of this year’s Awareness Week, which runs from 13th-19th May, is Be ready for it.
As a member of the Dying Matters coalition, the BHA endorses the underlying message of this year’s theme. Many of the BHA’s accredited celebrants, who lead funerals under the ‘Humanist Ceremonies’ banner, know only too well how regret is a sentiment often expressed by bereaved family and friends – so the Dying Matters theme is on the nail.
Nothing can eradicate the inevitable sadness accompanying a loved one’s death, but advance discussion and planning goes some way to providing comfort all round. Steps might include signing an Advance Decision about end of life care (papers for which can be downloaded here: http://www.compassionindying.org.uk/about-advance-decisions ), registering as a potential organ donor, and discussing funeral plans – great solace can be found at a funeral in something as simple as knowing that the deceased chose the music that is played.
To back up the Be ready for it theme, Dying Matters has produced various materials available to download for free, or hard copy ordering online. For more information see: http://dyingmatters.org/page/supporting-dying-matters-awareness-week
BHA Head of Ceremonies Isobel Russo commented ‘The work Dying Matters is doing is fresh, exciting and in accord with the outlook of our own funeral celebrants, which empowers people to genuinely engage with and articulate the experiences of death and dying.’
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For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.