What are you dying to know?
THIS Friday, August 8 is National Dying to Know Day (D2K Day) – an annual day of action dedicated to bringing to life conversations and community actions around death, dying and bereavement.
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The founders of the day want to encourage all Australians to make their end of life plans such as making a will and an advance care plan, and sharing these wishes with their families.
It's the day to become informed about end of life and death-care options such as dying at home, home and community-led funerals and natural burial, and helps people to be better equipped to support family and friends experiencing death, dying and bereavement.
The number of Australians aged 65 and over will double by 2050, increasing our need to plan well and share our wishes with others.
Around 75 per cent have not had end of life discussions, and yet 60 per cent of Australians think we don’t talk about death enough, and less than 10 per cent of us have written an Advance Care Plan. Over 70 per cent of us die in hospital, although most of us would prefer to die at home.
Narooma Celebrates D2K Day
Local author Shanna Provost is helping Narooma celebrate the day by hosting a 'Dying to Know' workshop at Club Narooma on Friday.
“More Australians are opening up and talking about death and planning their end of life in a positive way,” Provost said.
“I believe it is because people in my generation want to know our options and make our own choices rather than leave it to others to sort out. That's why I created the Rest Easy Journal – so I wouldn't leave a mess for my son to sort through when I die.”
Provost has invited a group of professionals to be part of a Q&A session at the workshop.
Guest speakers include Dr. Jenny Wray, who will talk about what the family needs to do when someone dies at home; funeral director of 25 years Ian Vincent will talk about his industry; solicitor John Clarke will talk about why it is important to make a will and appoint an Enduring Guardian and Power of Attorney; Judy Robertson from National Australia Bank will talk about what happens to your bank accounts when someone dies and celebrant Debra Summer will talk about the broad range of options, including “Do-It-Yourself” funeral and memorial options.
Information stalls will include Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSW Trustee & Guardian, Palliative Care services, East Coast Graves, Narprint, Handy Holloway, Broulee Memorial Gardens Crematorium & Lawn Cemetery.
“I wanted to create a 'One-Stop-Shop' to help people to learn what their options are, and I also wanted to let people know that talking about death won't kill you – and it is the last kind gift you can give to your family and loved ones!”
Dying to Know Workshop
10am – 12pm Friday, August 8
Montague Room, Club Narooma
Out of death comes life: A new concept born in Cobargo
KERRYN Dunlop, Lorraine James and Beth Dogan of Cobargo have got together to form Cobargo Undertakings a ‘not for profit’ organisation that can guide people in planning a funeral for their loved ones.
Cobargo Undertakings have a valuable portfolio of information, advice and resources at hand to help with your planning. They have a list of contacts for suitable venues and catering options within the local community along with floral arrangements, music and service options.
On Friday afternoon the ladies are holding a “Dying to Know” event ‘a death café and chat’ at Cobargo Uniting Church at 1.30pm.
For more information about his new concept go to www.cobargoundertakings.com.au