A new survey suggests that discussing dying and making end of life plans remain taboo for many people across the UK. The poll of 2,000 adults, conducted for the Dying Matters Coalition of care organisations, found that only 21% of people have discussed their end of life wishes.
Just a third of respondents said they had written a will, and only 29% had let loved ones know of their funeral wishes. The findings coincide with the start of the coalition's annual awareness initiative, which aims to encourage more open conversations about death.
Claire Henry, chief executive of the coalition and the National Council for Palliative Care, said: 'Dying is one of life's few certainties, but many of us appear to be avoiding discussing it or in denial altogether. Talking more openly about dying and planning ahead is in everyone's interests.'
The survey also indicated that about four fifths of the public believe people are uncomfortable discussing dying and death, with 51% of respondents not having made their partner aware of their end of life wishes.
A separate poll of 1,000 family doctors found that, although the number of GPs discussing the issue with patients was increasing, a quarter had not initiated conversations about end of life wishes. Professor Mayur Lakhani, chair of the coalition, said healthcare professionals and patients needed to become 'more comfortable' with the subject to ensure the right care and support.
Professor Tony Walter, director of a University of Bath centre researching the social aspects of death, added: 'Many of us do not experience a family member or close friend dying until we are into our mid-life. As a result, fear of the unknown means that people sometimes avoid those who are ill or dying, and do not feel able to support them.'
