Events to normalise inevitability of death

A program run by the South West Compassionate Communities Network is making an effort to normalise conversations around death. Coinciding with Dying to Know Day, an initiative run by The Groundswell Project, the network is running a series of events helping people face the “inevitable reality of death”. Network event coordinator and committee member Deb Wraight said people often struggled to deal with the issue. “So many people push the thoughts about death away and don’t face these huge questions until it is immediately in front of the them,” she said. “Speaking openly about death, and taking the taboo away is so important for mental health as it allows us to better cope with death, transition through grief and support others. “We want to change that by promoting discussion and educating people about their options.” Events will include funeral home tours, funeral planning sessions, a tour of the old Harvey cemetery, a series of short films and an advanced care planning workshop. In the lead-up to Dying to Know Day on August 8, students have been encouraged to submit art work provoking discussion around the ideas of death. “It is really important to start discussions with children about life and death early and this can be done in an age-appropriate way,” Ms Wraight said. Newton Moore Senior High School Year 8 student Violet Cloutman submitted a poem after the death of her niece. “Death is a really hard subject for a lot of people, but it really shouldn’t be because it is just a part of life,” she said.