Dying Matters: Dying to be Heard
This year, the Dying Matters Awareness Week campaign challenges us all to actively listen when people want to talk about death, making plans and grief. The theme of the week is “Dying to be Heard” and this will be promoted throughout the campaign which runs from the 11th – 17th May.
The subject of death is never an easy conversation and many people avoid talking about death and the practicalities of getting ready for it. Are you ready for our own death? Generally we do not want to think or talk about it but Covid 19 has focused us all on our own mortality, and brought into sharper focus the prospect of losing the ones that we love. There are practicalities to think about – Wills, funeral planning and more – but there’s also the emotional, sometimes even spiritual side for some of us. Here at Thompson Smith and Puxon our Wills and Estates team are here to make sure that you are heard if you want to talk about what happens when you die and what you would like to leave behind.
Research suggests that most people haven’t taken care of the practical aspects, which includes making a Will, deciding on organ donation, and planning for future care. In fact a 2018 research study carried out by insurance company Royal London suggests that 54% of UK adults don’t have a will and 5.4 million people don’t know how to make one.
At TSP our team are ready to listen to you and help you get your affairs in order. We would like to encourage you to take the first step by starting what can seem like a daunting conversation as we listen and get the answers you need.
As we continue to navigate Covid-19 and its lockdown measures, the face to face events we had planned in support are just not possible so we are supporting Dying Matters Awareness Week with an online presence. Throughout the week we will be sharing resources about how to make a Will and how to plan for the future across our social media channels and website. Although meeting in person is not as easy as it was the team at TSP are here and ready to listen to you. We can arrange conversations over the phone, email or video calls, you just need to say when.
Fiona Ashworth who leads the Wills and Estates team at Thompson Smith and Puxon said “This is the third year that TSP has supported Dying Matters Awareness Week and now, more than ever, there is a need for it. Particularly given the Covid 19 situation, bringing the subject of death and the number of people affected, into our lives on a daily basis. Historically, talking about death has always been a bit awkward, but the situation in which we all find ourselves, has reminded us that it is something we all have to face and there is no doubt that having someone to listen to you and act upon your wishes makes it easier.”