Publish date: 23 April 2026
Dying Matters Awareness Week is an annual campaign led by Hospice UK, aimed at breaking down the stigma around talking about death, dying and bereavement. The campaign encourages open and honest conversations with family, friends, colleagues and communities, helping people to plan ahead and cope better with bereavement.
2026 Theme
“Let’s talk about Death and Dying”
The 2026 theme focuses on the importance of starting conversations about death and end‑of‑life planning, including:
- Future care planning
- Making a will
- Registering as an organ donor
- Discussing wishes and funeral preferences
The week aims to create a supportive environment where people feel more comfortable discussing these topics, helping to reduce fear, anxiety and uncertainty around death.
Local activity
Willowbrook Hospice event
Willowbrook Hospice is hosting a Dying Matters event on 6 May 2026. A local solicitor will deliver two presentations/workshops on the importance of future care planning.
The sessions are open to our staff, wider health and social care professionals and volunteers, who work across St Helens and Knowsley. Reserve your place here.
Queenscourt Hospice events
Queenscourt will be facilitating three sessions on 5, 7 and 8 May 2026 that will focus on:
- Planning for the future
- To care and accompany
- How to say goodbye
- Understand and recognise that someone is dying.
The sessions are available at Terence Burgess Education Centre, at Queenscourt and online via Zoom. To book your place, email education
Resources
- Talking cards - staff can utilise these talking cards in team meetings or stafety huddles to encourage conversations with each other and patients.
For further information, visit our Palliative and End of Life Care page.