AS AUSTRALIA’S population ages and health services strain to meet growing demands, there’s a renewed focus on how we die and how we can support each other through the process.
The federal government has announced a one-off $25,000 payment to help more Australians die at home, a response to the fact that while 70 percent of people say they’d like to die at home, only 15 percent actually do.
Jess Watkins, an End of Life Consultant, says these figures highlight the need for proactive conversations and community-led planning.
“Why is there such a gap between what people want and what actually happens?” Ms Watkins said.
“We plan for floods, fires, and other emergencies – why not for death?
“Talking about it won’t bring it closer. It’s going to happen anyway – so why not prepare?”
To help bridge that gap, Dungog will host two community events aimed at bringing death out of the shadows.
The first, a Death Café at the Dungog Library on 25 June at 3pm, will offer a relaxed setting for people to discuss their fears, wishes, and practical steps for end-of-life planning.
“Death Cafés are about creating a safe space to think, share, and grow together,” Ms Watkins said.
“They’re about helping people understand their own values and what they want, so that when the time comes, the people around them can honour those wishes without making rushed decisions under stress.”
The End of Life Expo follows on 23 July at the CWA Hall from 1-4pm.
The expo will showcase practical resources and ideas for making Dungog a more death-comfortable community.
Ms Watkins says it’s part of a broader movement to return death to community hands.
“Death is our last personal natural disaster,” she said.
“By talking about it and planning ahead, we can help ensure that more of us have the kind of death we want – and support each other along the way.”
By Shannon BENTON
