Talking About Dying

How do I start?

Many people from different backgrounds face similar barriers to talking about dying. To get started here we list some resources that can be useful for everyone as well as resources developed for specific population groups.

For everyone

CareSearch Dying2Learn Hub has a range of resources and interactive online options for you to explore discussions about death and dying.

Visit Dying2Learn

Dying2Learn

Death Over Dinner (US) has an online guide to help you organise an event for people in your community to come together and talk about death and dying.

Death Over Dinner (US) website

Death Over Dinner

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Palliative Care Australia (PCA) website has useful tools and resources to help you start yarning about death including a printable Discussion Starter booklet and games designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

PCA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander discussion starter

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander discussion starter

Cultural and linguistically diverse people

For older Australians, the Palliative Care Australia website has a dying2talk package, including printable discussion starter booklet and cards to prompt conversations in different languages. These languages include Arabic, Croatian, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Maltese, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

PCA What matters most for older Australians

What matters most for older Australians

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex

Watch this video from Dying Matters UK about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have experienced being cared for or have cared for others nearing end of life.

Video - End of Life Care

Living with intellectual disability

In this video, We are Living Well but Dying Matters, from the UK group Dying Matters, people with learning disabilities share stories and their wishes to support other people with learning disabilities in becoming comfortable in talking about dying, death and bereavement.

Video - We are living well but dying matters

Talking End of Life with people with intellectual disability (TEL) provides a range of resources including videos to support those caring for people with intellectual disability to have important conversations.

Visit the TEL website

TEL

Older people

This video from the Dementia Australia website is part of a package of resources and tools to help you start to talk about dying and to make plans. If you would prefer to talk to someone, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (available 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays).

Why you should Start2Talk

Rural and remote areas

From Cancer Council Australia, the Rural Cancer Stories series of videos brings you the stories of country cancer patients. Stories include, how they have coped and continue to cope with cancer, things they wish they knew earlier and practical tips they want to share.

Cancer Council Australia YouTube Channel, Rural Cancer Stories

Rural Cancer Stories

A more comprehensive list of resources for talking about dying is available.

More Resources

Last updated 02 August 2021