A week-long campaign is aiming to break down barriers which prevent us talking about death, with tours of the crematorium among the initiatives.
The Island’s NHS is supporting Dying Matters Awareness Week - a national campaign to encourage people to talk openly about death, dying and bereavement. Recent statitics found just 29% of people have discussed their wishes around dying and only 4% have written advance care plans. Most people (around 70%) would prefer to die at home, but the majority (around 60%) die in hospital. The NHS says this can unusally be avoided if health staff and families know about the person’s wishes and so can make the right arrangements for palliative care at home. Tours of the IW Crematorium will run from from 4pm today. Phone 01983 882288 for more details.