We all have very different reactions to death and dying depending on our experiences and beliefs.
It’s important to take individual feelings into consideration.
As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week, here are some tips on how to approach conversations with people who are dying and their family and friends.
- Be honest – often in difficult situations we tend to search for the ‘right’ thing to say, but dying is a profound process that needs honesty and understanding.
- Frank, open conversations can be very liberating and soothing both for the dying person and their loved ones
- Listen to the other person, take note of their body language
- Stay calm
- Don’t feel you have to talk all the time, simply being beside someone in silence can be hugely comforting
- Make sure they know they can ask for more information and how best to do this if needed
The Royal College of Physicians says, “Talking about dying is never easy, but it is worthwhile. Advance care planning and early introduction of palliative care can improve the patient’s quality of life and mood, reduce aggressive care at the end of life, reduce emergency hospital admissions and even extend life expectancy of certain groups.”
Further resources to help support conversations about dying can be found below: