The Dying Matters Coalition published the document ‘You Only Die Once,’ which contained the result of a survey of over 3,000 British adults.
The responses indicated that more than eight out of ten British people (83%) thought that we are a nation that was uneasy discussing the inevitable demise of our bodies.
Over a third of the respondents (34%) had written a will, whilst a similar proportion had registered as organ donors. Approximately a half of those respondents with a partner (51%) asked admitted that they did not know the end of life wishes of the other person.
Joe Levenson, the Director of Communication at the Dying Matters Coalition, commented: ‘Most people aren’t comfortable talking about dying. Talking about dying and death is one of the last taboos in Britain. I guess we’re not very comfortable facing up to our own mortality. We like to either pretend it’s never going to happen to us or just find other things we’d rather talk about.’
Talk about the delaying of the inevitable has been the result of better living standards, progress in public health and medical interventions that have prolonged lives.
He also stated: ‘Dying tends to happen behind closed doors, very often in hospitals, and that combined with the very British stiff upper lip make it really difficult for us to talk about dying and also to come to terms with bereavement.’
Only 6 per cent of the respondents had written down their funeral wishes or their preferences about their future care. With power of attorney procedures being available through the Office of the Public Guardian, it appears that few people are prepared to utilise them.
One of the results of not writing a will can be family arguments as to the chattels of a person who has died, which was the experience of one in three respondents (32%) to the survey. Mr Levenson continued: ‘If people aren’t making their wishes known, not only will they not be able to have their final days, weeks, or months as they would want, but they could be storing up problems for those close to them after they’ve died. The legacy of that can last for years.’
Claire Henry, the Chief Executive of the Dying Matters Coalition, expressed her thoughts: ‘talking more openly about dying and planning ahead is in everyone’s interests, as it can help ensure we can get our wishes met and make it easier for our loved ones. You only die once, which is why it’s so important to make your wishes known while there’s still time.’
We are reminded that, whilst we live in time, we also live in eternity – there is preparation that is required in leaving the present but also as we enter the hereafter. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that ‘man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.’ (Hebrews 9: 27) However, the relationship that commences with God now will continue as the author gives us the example, among many, of Abraham: ‘For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.’ (Hebrews 11: 10)
Whilst we are on earth, the Bible urges us to be prudent in our preparation to leave it: ‘Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.’ (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Our witness to others when we go to meet our Father will be glorifying Him through the arranging of our material affairs, showing that we have been good stewards to the end.
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