One of the benefits I’ve experienced since becoming an End of Life Volunteer and Trustee for the Anne Robson Trust, is that death has become an easier discussion to have with my family, friends and work colleagues.
Don’t get me wrong, it can still be uncomfortable and difficult to know what to say. But I know speaking openly, with kindness and compassion really helps during such a heart-breaking time.
Another thing I’ve found valuable is making sure my loved ones know what I want and where to find key information when they come to deal with me dying. This may sound weird, but in a way, I see this as a gift to them … something that can make it easier, knowing exactly what my wishes are, without having to guess or worry if they are making the ‘right’ decisions.
Preparation
To make a start, I organised my will and completed the free Anne Robson Trust ‘My Wishes Checklist’ so my loved ones can refer to, rather than relying on their memory of what we’ve discussed.
The sections cover:
Whilst the responses require some careful thought, the checklist was easy to understand. It was thought-provoking and profound in some parts; making a decision about where I’d prefer to be cared for in my last weeks/ days of my life; the names of anyone I’d like to care for me (or don’t want to care for me) and if I would like my funeral to be open, or just family & close friends. I even had to find information I didn’t know off the top of my head and really think about what my favourite things are!
So now it’s over to you – even if you’d prefer to not discuss the topic with your family or friends, it’s still worthwhile completing the checklist. You can just leave it in a secure place and let your loved ones know where to find it. For me it’s comforting knowing you’ve done something that can help them whilst they’re grieving.
Stay informed of our activities by signing up here to receive our newsletter.
Alternatively, you can contact us directly
©️ 2024 Anne Robson Trust. Registered charity: 1178352.
SEO Hertfordshire | Website built with love by Jolly Good Digital.
