‘Dying to Know Day’ highlights the role of community in end of life planning

The nation's palliative care communities are calling on Australian's to get 'dead set' today for Dying to Know Day.

This year the national campaign, an initiative of home support services provider Proveda, is highlighting the "role of community in fostering conversations around death and dying, and encouraging individuals to consider and talk about their own unique wishes for end of life."

Jessie Williams, community programs manager at Proveda, said leaning on one's community can really help individuals overcome the challenges that end of life planning can present.

“While most Australians recognise the importance of planning for end-of-life, many individuals and communities still face barriers when it comes to understanding what this means, taking action or starting a conversation around death and dying," she said.

"This often leads to end of life experiences being misaligned with an individual’s values, preferences or wishes, because they simply don't know what is available or what they can request or expect.

“Building communities that can foster these types of conversations is a critical step in ensuring all Australians have access to the tools and environment they need to plan for end of life.

"This will help individuals feel supported in talking about their personal wishes for their own final arrangements, and can help break down the misconception that end of life planning is something to be done alone” Ms Williams said.

Research conducted in 2022 by 'Dying to Know' and The Groundswell Project Australia revealed that while almost nine in 10 Australians believe end of life planning is important, only one in three have taken action. Yet 40 per cent believe that their loved ones would find comfort in the certainty of their wishes after they pass away.

With almost two-thirds of Australians admitting to feeling there are challenges and barriers to executing end of life arrangements, the Dying to Know campaigned is aimed at not only lifting the country's death literacy but also facilitating the important conversations that will "break down the stigma that is associated with death, dying and grief."

 Illawarra-based death doula Carolyn Vaughan is well-versed in facilitating hard end of life conversations.

“Death is over-medicalised and conversations are often left to healthcare providers. Our preconceived ideas around death can impact our approach to end of life, and people often feel ill equipped to act or start a conversation,” she said.

“By building community capacity to facilitate conversations around end of life planning and care, we can help ensure every person has access to the resources and tools they need to take action. This can take shape in a variety of different ways, such as workshops or casual talks.

"Having a safe space to foster conversations and share stories with each other will, in turn, help Australians feel inspired about their own wishes for end of life."

Along with starting the conversation, the Dying to Know campaign also hopes to build the awareness of crucial legal directives that everyone should consider preparing, including:

• An Advanced Care Directive
• Superannuation binding death nomination form
• Enduring Guardianship
• Enduring Power of Attorney
• Will
• Funeral preferences

Access Proveda's end of life planning Final Checklist here.

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