Talking about dying helplines
Dying Matters
Freephone 08000 21 44 66
Many of us have specific wishes about how we’d like to die, or how long we want doctors to keep us alive, or what we’d like to happen after our death. There are a range of organisations that can help you plan the support and care you need towards the end of life, advise on writing wills and living wills, and provide advice on the emotional issues surrounding dying. Our members include organisations from across the NHS, voluntary and independent health and care sectors (including hospices, care homes, charities supporting old people, children and bereavement); social care and housing sectors; a wide range of faith organisations; community organisations; schools and colleges; academic bodies; trade unions; the legal profession and the funeral sector.
Age UK
Helpline: 0800 055 6112
We believe that age needs respect. It needs kindness. Sometimes it needs help. Because there is strength in numbers, Age Concern and Help the Aged have joined forces to become Age UK – so that we can be here for everyone in later life. Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone through our information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research.
GOV UK
Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.
If you make a will you can also make sure you don’t pay more Inheritance Tax than you need to.
You can write your will yourself, but you should get legal advice, for example from Citizens Advice to make sure your will is interpreted in the way you wanted. You need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid. If you want to update your will, you need to make an official alteration (called a codicil) or make a new will.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Making a Will
Comprehensive Citizen’s Advice guide to will making.
NHS
Talking to children about dying
This guide is for people who are approaching the end of their life. Some parts of it may also be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their end of life care. It explains what you can expect from end of life care, including palliative care to control pain and other symptoms and to offer psychological, social and spiritual support. You can also find information about your rights and choices, including refusing treatment, setting down your wishes for your future treatment, and how to give someone the legal right to make decisions for you if you are no longer capable.
Hospice UK
Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice and palliative care. We work to ensure all adults and children living with a terminal or life-shortening illness receive the care and support they need, when they need it.
Cancer Research UK
Beginning to talk about dying takes courage and effort. But most people say it is a relief to talk about it openly and be direct and honest. It can bring people closer together when they talk honestly about death and share their fears and hopes.
Marie Curie
Support Line: 0800 090 2309
Our services help people living with any terminal illness, and their families, make the most of the time they have left.
MacMillan Cancer Support
Here you can find practical advice or emotional support towards the end of your life, or that of someone close to you.
Dignity in Dying
Dignity in Dying is the leading campaigning organisation promoting patient choice at the end of life.
Care Not Killing
Care Not Killing is a UK-based alliance of individuals and organisations which brings together human rights groups, healthcare groups, palliative care groups and faith-based organisations with the aims of promoting more and better palliative care. Ensuring that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed during the lifetime of the current Parliament. Influencing the balance of public opinion further against any weakening of the law.