A not-for-profit organisation is calling on people to talk about death and dying.
The Groundswell Project Australia’s campaign, “get dead set” asks people of all ages and stages of life to prioritise compassionate conversations – because it’s going to happen to us all.
It outlines simple steps people can take around end-of-life planning, which is personal and unique to everyone.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we live, die and grieve.
Early studies suggest that people in Australia who lost a loved one during the Covid pandemic (from any cause) are experiencing more grief, anxiety and depression than before the pandemic.
Research shows there is a risk that the support received by Australians dealing with death and dying is less than what is needed.
The Dying to Know campaign helps bridge this gap by improving death literacy and positivity in individuals, communities, healthcare workers and other professionals through local and community events.
Death literacy is the knowledge, compassion and practical skills that enable supportive action and active decision-making around someone’s end-of-life choices.
The campaign invites people to overcome their fears or discomfort around death and take action on end-of-life planning in a way that is right for them. Australians can ‘get dead set’ in three key ways:
- Capture your choices in writing. Like a will, substitute decision maker and guidance on your social media or organ donation. These could be documents, or as simple as a text or scribble on a serviette to start.
- Have conversations with loved ones and others so they understand your wishes – and you understand theirs.
- Prepare your send-off. Share what you want it to look like so you can be celebrated and remembered in line with your wishes.
The benefits of planning for end-of-life are clear in the wake of necessary pandemic restrictions which impacted people’s ability to see dying loved ones, arrange or attend important rituals like funerals and see friends and family for support.
By being ‘dead set’ and prepared for end-of-life, Australians can:
- Have a ‘good’ death which reflects what mattered in life.
- Have conversations to ease the anguish of loved ones through the distress, uncertainty, and finality of death.
- Leave a positive legacy that is consistent with how we want to be remembered.
- Have their lives celebrated/remembered the way they choose.
Cherelle Martin, Dying to Know Campaign Manager at The Groundswell Project Australia, says that not talking about death and dying is a significant obstacle to improving the how we live and die through end-of-life planning.
“Death is often over-medicalised and institutionalised. Our superstitions, fears, discomfort and lack of knowledge about dying affect our approach to end-of-life. However, we know that Australians think conversations about death are important,” she said.
“People often feel ill equipped to act or start a conversation. The risk here for us all is that we do not have the knowledge or understanding around how to best support a loved one who is dying, caring or grieving. Sadly, this can mean that end-of-life experiences are not aligned with an individual’s values or wishes.”
