Dying Matters Awareness Week Web Banner — Dying Matters Awareness Week: 6 - 12 May 2024

We are proud to, once again, support the annual Dying Matters Awareness Week, which will take place from 6 - 12 May. This week offers people across the country, the chance to talk openly and frankly about end-of-life issues.

The theme for this year’s week focuses on ‘The way we talk about Dying Matters’, discussing the language we use and the conversations we have about death and dying.

To support the campaign, we've connected with individuals throughout our hospice, encouraging them to share openly about how they discuss dying and the factors shaping their language around death.

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing conversations on the language that we use, and conversations we have, around death and dying across our social media channels and in the press, inviting our supporters to join the discussions and gain valuable insight into the work we do here at St Luke’s.

Take a moment to think... How do you talk about death and dying?

Did you know?

The statistics below represent a recent survey conducted by Hospice UK of over 1,000 recently bereaved people.

36% said that they were left with some uncertainty about the likelihood of their loved one dying after speaking with healthcare professionals.

62% of people felt that healthcare professionals communicated very well or quite well, during the final period of their loved one’s life

45% of people prefer direct language (e.g. ‘dying’, ‘die’) when talking about death and dying, whilst 33% prefer euphemistic language (e.g. ‘passed away’, ‘not going to make it’, ‘we can’t do any more’)

Older people (+55) tended to prefer using more direct language to talk about terminal diagnoses and dying, while younger people (16-24) had a preference for euphemistic language.

Let's talk openly about death and dying

Discover how you can get involved in this year's Dying Matters Week below.

Get involved in the conversation

We would love for you to get involved in the conversation and support the campaign by openly discussing how you approach discussing death and dying or sharing a personal experience that has stayed with you. Please share your experiences on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X by tagging us and using the hashtags #TheWayWeTalkAboutDyingMatters #DMAW24

Compassionate Sheffield Life Loss and Death Festival

'What is Palliative Care?' session

We're proud to support Compassionate Sheffield's "Life Loss and Death Festival" taking place this May! Come and join us as Connor, our Lead for Learning & Development, presents a 'What is Palliative Care?' session on Friday 10 May, which conveniently coincides with Hospice UK's Dying Matters Awareness Week. To secure your spot and find out more, please click here.

Gemma Sharp, St Luke’s Junior Sister.

Jo Hird, St Luke’s Lead for Spiritual Care.

Emma Matthews, St Luke’s Staff Nurse.

Fabian Holding, St Luke’s General Volunteer.

Eleanor Leek, St Luke’s General Volunteer.

Naureen Khan, St Luke’s Quality & Engagement Officer.

Dying Matters Awareness Week: 6 - 12 May 2024