St Barnabas Hospice staff are set to get people talking about death, dying and bereavement as part of a national campaign week
St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice will be teaming up with The Waterside shopping Centre in Lincoln to raise awareness of the importance of talking about dying and putting plans in place.
From 8th – 12th May, local residents will be encouraged to add their hopes and dreams to bucket list style ‘Before I die…’ boards and decorate a cardboard coffin with poems, art and quotes in a community coffin project.
Lisa Gibson, Community Development Manager for St Barnabas Hospice, said:
“Over half a million people die in the UK each year; yet talking about dying, death and bereavement is something that many people find challenging. We are hoping that the boards will get people talking and start conversations around dying, death and bereavement.
“Death will have an impact on everyone’s lives at some point and talking about it means we are better prepared to support each other when it does happen. People may think it sounds morbid but the boards and the coffin project are as much about life as they are death.
“It is about encouraging people to make the most of the time they have and to put plans in place so that they can get on with living.”
The bucket list style boards and the community coffin project are part of a wider initiative to promote Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 8th – 14th May. The annual campaign urges people to talk more openly and make plans for the end of life.
Lisa said: “People can get involved right across the county as our 27 shops will also be hosting bucket list style window displays which our shoppers can add to. Our aim is to get as many people as possible involved in helping us to create Lincolnshire’s biggest ever bucket list.”