Death discussions 'taboo' for many in UK, survey finds

[maureenho]

12 May 2014 Last updated at 04:16

Death discussions 'taboo' for many in UK, survey finds


Discussing dying and making end of life plans remain taboo for many people across the UK, a survey suggests.

The poll of 2,000 adults for the Dying Matters Coalition of care organisations indicates that only 21% of people have discussed their end of life wishes.

Only a third said they had written a will and just 29% had let loved ones know of their funeral wishes.

The findings are being released at the start of the Dying Matters Coalition's annual awareness initiative.

The coalition was set up by the National Council for Palliative Care in 2009.

The chief executive of both organisations, Claire Henry, said: "Dying is one of life's few certainties, but many of us appear to be avoiding discussing it or in denial altogether.

"Talking more openly about dying and planning ahead is in everyone's interests."
'Fear of the unknown'

The survey also suggests about four fifths of the public believe people are uncomfortable discussing dying and death.

And 51% of respondents said they had not made their partner aware of their end of life wishes.

A separate poll of 1,000 family doctors found that, although the number of GPs discussing the issue with patients was increasing, a quarter had not initiated conversations about end of life wishes.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, chair of the coalition, said healthcare professionals and their patients needed to become "more comfortable" with the subject to ensure the "right care and support" was provided.

Meanwhile, Professor Tony Walter, director of a University of Bath centre devoted to the research of the social aspects of death, said: "Many of us do not experience a family member or close friend dying until we are into our mid-life.

"As a result, fear of the unknown means that people sometimes avoid those who are ill or dying, and do not feel able to support them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27369382

What do you think about this subject?

[annie]

Death is the only certainty in life, so it seems common sense to me to think ahead to prepare for it and make it a little easier for your family when the inevitable happens. We have done our will, written down our wishes for  end of life and funeral and bought the plot in the local cemetery. We have also made a list of where to find all our documentation and name and addresses of our solicitors and funeral director. We have adequate insurance to cover all the costs.
As a Macmillan Nurse, I saw terrible problems in the families where either patient or family were in denial & the biggest problem the patients & families complained of  to us, was when neighbours and so-called friends crossed the street to avoid talking to them, because they didn't know what to say. This is really hurtful 

[Misspears]

We have made wills the girls know where everything is and our wishes

Ann x

[wendy]

thank you for posting this.
Tommy is giving a talk tomorrow about this and the hospital is naming a new ward after his late mum.

[Rosalind]

I have made a will, it is the right thing to do and makes it easier for everyone.

[maureenho]

[JaneJ]

I am awful at not being able to cope with talking about it. i must get a will though and take my head out of the sand.