Dying Matters Awareness Week 2025

Discussing topics related to death, dying, and bereavement can be a challenging and uncomfortable task for many individuals. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the right words to express oneself in such situations. However, Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign aims to change this by breaking the stigma surrounding death, challenging preconceptions, and promoting public openness about end-of-life issues.

Dying Matters Awareness Week, which is held annually, provides an opportunity for people across the country to encourage their communities to engage in discussions about death and dying in whatever way feels most comfortable for them. This year, Dying Matters Awareness Week will be taking place from 5th – 11th May.

Here are some resources to help with grief, bereavement and planning ahead:

• Dying Matters podcast. Whether you’ve been bereaved, have a family member who’s approaching the end of life, want to support a friend, or just want to know how to start the conversation for yourself, this podcast is for you.
• ataloss.org. AtaLoss helps bereaved people find support for their well-being.
• Books to read. The Dying Matters campaign shares 10 books to help us deal with grief.
• Planning ahead tool. The Planning Ahead tool will lead you, step by step, to think about your own values and the things that matter most to you in life and in dying.
• Blue Cross. Pet bereavement and pet loss.

Find out more about the Dying Matters campaign here: Hospice UK.