Aims

People are able to deal with death in a constructive way

Death and dying are unique experiences for each individual and it is normal to have negative responses to these experiences and to fear the unknown.

Many people will have had difficult and upsetting experiences relating to loss in their lives and people cope with death, dying and bereavement in different ways, with some preferring not to talk about these issues.

However, without thinking or talking about death all the time, people should know that it is okay to talk about death and dying and be supported to deal with death in a constructive way.

For example, there are certain practical preparations it is sensible to make for one's own death:

• Who will look after your child if you die?
• Have you made a will?
• Do you want your partner to have power of attorney if something should happen to you?
• Do you want an advance healthcare directive?
• Do you want to be on the organ donors' register?

Death should be seen as normal and children should grow up treating dying as an inevitable part of life. People should have thought about death enough to enable them to be comfortable using the words “death”, “dead” and “dying”, and to make choices which will help them to have as good a death as possible.