Dying to Know Day

Australians are not very good at dying. We don’t like to talk about it, prepare for it or even think about it too much, but it’s unavoidable.

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Dying to Know Day on 8 August marks the 12th year of the campaign to empower all adult Australians to be strong self-advocates for their own personal planning when it comes to their future. Creighton’s Funeral Services is holding a free Dying to Know Day event for the community, where guest speakers and valuable resources will be available to help facilitate meaningful discussions and planning for your end of life or those you care about.

Dying to Know Day is an initiative of The Groundswell Project (now a part of Proveda). It was inspired by the book Dying to Know— Bringing Death to Life, created by Igniting Change. The book asked the question, ‘Why do some cultures have elders, but others have the elderly?’ and sought to bring ‘death to life’ with

a view to connecting us all a little bit more.

The Groundswell Project was established in 2010 to work with individuals, organisations, and communities to improve how people in Australia die, care for, and grieve. It runs educational workshops, develops innovative programs, and advocates for a better end-of-life experience for all.

Dying to Know Day encourages adults of all stages to take individual action, hold events and gatherings at home, and attend events like the Creighton’s Funeral Services event, all to improve their knowledge around choices for their end-of-life. This year, the campaign focuses on personalising final arrangements and building community so that all Australians

feel supported and inspired by their own wishes for their final arrangements, breaking down the stigma and sense of awkwardness often associated with conversations about death, dying and grief.

Dying to Know Day is about helping individuals ‘Get Dead Set,’ and registered events can include workshops, casual talks, film screenings, and the hosting of Death Cafes. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to register for an event or find one on the event website, www.proveda.com.au/communityprograms/ dying-to-know-day

Creighton’s Funeral Services Community Liaison Manager Lyn Parkes was inspired to register Dying to Know Day events at the organisation's Palmdale and Cessnock facilities.

“Our Dying to Know Day events continue our commitment to the community, as we provide many varied complimentary events for the community throughout the year,” said Lyn.

“We are hosting this important event in two locations as a public health campaign - Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park and St Patricks of Nulkaba Chapel.

“We often receive requests to be guest speakers for social and community groups to provide information and resources regarding our pre-paid funeral program, and this partners well with the Dying to Know Day discussion. Part of our mission is to assist those enquiring about preparing and documenting their wishes regarding funeral arrangements.”

Guest speakers for the events include lawyers discussing wills and probate, financial planners and funeral service providers discussing planning your funeral. They are both free events for the community, and everybody is welcome to attend.

The first Creighton’s Dying to Know Day event will be held at St Patricks of Nulkaba Chapel (Cessnock) on

8 August from 10am-11.30am. To RSVP and reserve your seat, email creightons@palmdalegroup.com.au or

phone 02 4991 5556. The second event (also 8 August) will be held at Hillside Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park (Palmdale) from 2pm – 3.30pm. To RSVP and reserve your seat, email info@palmdalegroup.com.au, and for more information about either event, visit www.creightonsfuneralservice.com.au/events.