The Yabberup Community Association is holding a conversation event about death and dying.
They are encouraging people of all ages and levels of health to come along and share your experiences and bring any questions you have about planning future health care, end of life or funerals.
This Dying to Talk conversation will be facilitated by local resident Dr Julieanne Hilbers, a psychologist and celebrant.
“We want to start a community conversation about our options when it comes to the end of our lives” Ms Hilbers said.
“We prepare our wills for what happens to our possessions after we die so why not have a conversation about what healthcare we would want if we became too unwell to make our own decisions, where we would like to die and how we would like our life to be celebrated.”
“The more we talk about death and dying the more likely we are able to better support people as they near the end-of-life.”
“My dad who had cancer wanted to die at home and he was able to do this. I was singing to him in our lounge room when he took his last breath. He stayed at home with us until we took him to the crematorium. During that time family and friends came and visited. A few days later we held a community gathering for him here in the Yabberup hall.”
“We were able to honour his wishes which was very empowering for our family. As a health professional I know that not all end of life experiences are so graceful.”
“Since dad died I have had many conversations around death and dying. People are always curious about what is possible and ask all sorts of questions.”
The Dying to Talk toolkit will be used to facilitate a conversation. The questions raised help people to work out what is right for them.
This is a Dying to Know Day event. Dying to Know Day which is held on August 8 each year encourages life conversations and community actions around death, drying and bereavement.
Entry is by gold coin donation. All proceeds will go to Palliative Care Western Australia
The event will be held on August 8 at the Yabberup Hall from 1-3pm for an afternoon of cake, coffee and conversation on death and dying.
