Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement...

Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement... that is the vision and purpose of the Hospice UK led charity, Dying Matters.

This week is Dying Matters Awareness Week and the theme for this year is “Dying to be heard.”

"Talking about dying and death is the last taboo. People who are dying can feel very isolated,” reports Revd Meg Burton, the Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for Free Churches. Meg goes on to say that… ”This Awareness Week is looking at dying from the dying person's perspective and will give ideas for people to help encourage conversations."

We hope that the resources that have been produced can help these conversations happen and support families in listening to their loved ones… and especially in giving confidence in shaping the conversation for those who are dying to be heard…

You can download the resources HERE.

(photo courtesy of JD Mason at Unsplash)

Further reflections and resources for life and in death to support your ministry

Revd Meg Burton, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Free Churches, has been writing, gathering in, compiling and sharing a range of supportive and informative communications with Healthcare Chaplains. Although these are primarily aimed at those working in healthcare chaplaincy, many others may find the content encouraging and helpful in their life and ministry.

There will be regular updates to these resources.

You can find out more and explore these reflections and materials HERE.

Meg provides the leadership on Healthcare Chaplaincy work at a national level for the Free Churches as well as in a multi-faith context.

(photo courtesy of Kerri Shaver at Unsplash)

Dying Matters Awareness Week 11th to 17th May - leaflets available here

The Dying Matters Awareness Week runs all this week, through until 17th of May.

The theme is -

Dying to be Heard

"Talking about dying and death is the last taboo. People who are dying can feel very isolated,” reports Revd Meg Burton, the Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for Free Churches. Meg goes on to say that…” Often, when people do want to talk, their relatives don't, because they find it too hard to accept that their loved one is dying. This Awareness Week is looking at dying from the dying person's perspective and will give ideas for people to help encourage conversations."

Dying Matters is led by Hospice UK and aims to raise awareness of dying, death and bereavement. They have produced a range of leaflets on this year’s theme - Dying to be Heard - you can review and download these using links below.

No.1 - Things to do before you die 

Print ready version to take to a professional printers here

No.2 - Supporting bereavement
Print ready version to take to a professional printers here

No.3 - Let's talk about dying
Print ready version to take to a professional printers here

No.4 - Talking about dying with people affected by dementia
Print ready version to take to a professional printers here

No.5 - Talking about dying with children
Print ready version to take to a professional printers here
Dying to be heard leaflet
Print ready version to take to a professional printers here

(photo by Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer)

Dying Matters Awareness Week begins today...

The Dying Matters Awareness Week begins today and runs through until 17th of May.

The theme is -

Dying to be Heard

"Talking about dying and death is the last taboo. People who are dying can feel very isolated,” reports Revd Meg Burton, the Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for Free Churches. Meg goes on to say that…” Often, when people do want to talk, their relatives don't, because they find it too hard to accept that their loved one is dying. This Awareness Week is looking at dying from the dying person's perspective and will give ideas for people to help encourage conversations."

You can find out more about the work of Dying Matters during this week of action and reflection, dedicated to raise awareness HERE.

Dying Matters is led by Hospice UK and aims to raise awareness of dying, death and bereavement. Dying matters… End of Life care, for those who are dying, their relatives/carers and staff, is one of the core activities for healthcare chaplains. FCG hosted the round-table discussion concerning end of life care and they were very well received.

Our FCG Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Meg, has gathered, compiled and share all sorts of resources linked to ministry in healthcare settings and at end of life. You can read these HERE.

(photo by Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer)

Some helpful reflections and poems for life and in death, for ministry and communities

Revd Meg Burton, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Free Churches, has been writing, gathering in, compiling and sharing a range of supportive and informative communications with Healthcare Chaplains. Although these are primarily aimed at those working in healthcare chaplaincy, many others may find the content encouraging and helpful in their life and ministry.

You can find out more and explore these resources and materials HERE.

These will be updated on a weekly basis.

Content so far includes:

• Words of comfort at end of life: end of life readings and blessings.

• A reflection from the Chaplaincy Team: Edges.

• Funeral at home.

• Sunday night Vigil.

• Prayers at the close of life.

• Act of Commemoration: An invitation for each Thursday at 1pm.

• Funeral service for a baby.

• Chaplaincy reflections - must we go in? by Simon Harrison, President of College of Healthcare Chaplains

• A Hospital Beatitude: a poem

• I am a piece of heaven: a poem

• We have to be candles: a poem

• Lockdown Psalm

These can all be downloaded and shared HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of a young person who was in a hospital school)