How do Australians feel about end of life?

New research has revealed the attitudes, behaviours and experiences of Australians around death, dying and end-of-life planning. The study, commissioned by not-for-profit organisation The Groundswell Project Australia, reveals that while nine in 10 (87%) Australians believe it is important to do some end-of-life planning, only one in three (35%) have actually taken action.

The research shows that almost two in three (64%) Australians feel there are challenges and barriers to them undertaking end-of-life planning — including death and dying being too emotional to think about (14%); not knowing where to start (17%), or where to get help or information (16%); and not understanding their choices when it comes to end of life (15%).

However, the research also explored the perceived benefits of end-of-life planning at all stages of life. Most profoundly, Australians say that if they were to die unexpectedly, having some end-of-life planning in place would help the people they care about.

Almost half (48%) said it would lessen the mental burden on their loved ones of organising financial and legal affairs; and two in five (40%) believed that their loved ones would be comforted by knowing for certain what they want to have happen after they die. Almost a third (30%) believed it would help their loved ones grieve and heal more readily.

Cherelle Martin, Dying to Know Campaign Manager at The Groundswell Project Australia, said that these results reinforce the importance of reshaping the way we approach death in our communities, especially at a time where the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live, die and grieve.

“Death is often over-medicalised and institutionalised. Our superstitions, fears, discomfort and lack of knowledge about dying affect our approach to end of life. This new data emphasises that Australians think conversations — and action — around end-of-life is important,” Martin said.

“This new research highlights the many ways in which people can feel ill-equipped to act or start a conversation. Sadly, this can mean that end-of-life experiences are not aligned with an individual’s values, preferences or wishes.”

“At a time where our mortality is a part of our collective consciousness like never before, it is crucial to ensure that we normalise conversations around death and dying, so Australians can ‘get dead set’,” Martin said.

The Groundswell Project Australia’s Dying to Know campaign, which culminated on Dying to Know Day on 8 August, urged people of all ages and stages of life to ‘get dead set’ around the reality of death and dying — because it’s going to happen to us all.

The campaign outlines simple steps people can take around end-of-life planning, which is personal and unique to everyone. It suggests three ways Australians can ‘get dead set’:

• Capture your choices in writing. Like a will, nominate a substitute decision-maker and guidance relating to your social media or organ donation. These could be documents, or as simple as a text or scribble on a serviette to start.
• Have conversations with loved ones and others so they understand your wishes — and you understand theirs.
• Prepare your send-off. Share what you want it to look like so you can be celebrated and remembered in line with your wishes.
   

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/zimmytws