People are being encouraged to break the taboo and talk about their wishes for the end of their lives.

Dying Matters Week, which starts on Monday, aims to raise the profile of death, dying and bereavement.

The week has been organised by the Dying Matters Coalition, which wants to make ‘dying well’ a natural part of a good life.

Research commissioned by the Coalition shows just 29 per cent of people have discussed their wishes about dying and only four per cent have written advance care plans.

Bradford district residents are invited to talk about their choices for end-of-life care and to share their own thoughts and experiences in a video camper van.

The van will be in Centenary Square on Monday from 10am to 12.30pm, and in Church Green, Keighley, from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Views gathered will help the NHS and its partners develop services that make a good death the norm.

Jo Coombs, director of nursing at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Death is the one certainty in our lives, yet few of us discuss our plan for this.

“By discussing death and dying, people can make their wishes felt and help their loved ones at a distressing time.

“In Bradford and Airedale we have a strong partnership of palliative care support which helps a wide range of patients who may have less than a year to live.

“We work with terminally-ill patients suffering from any conditions, and aim to treat them and their families and carers with dignity, care and compassion.”

Liz Price, a Macmillan clinical nurse specialist in palliative care at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Death is still a taboo subject. Dying Matters Week is an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage discussion about all issues relating to end of life care.”

CASE STUDY

June Bryar was given five years to live when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“It didn’t really sink in so I just carried on leading my life,” said the 68-year-old (above), of Tyersal.

Then sadly her husband David was diagnosed with a brain tumour and died three years ago.

“We nursed him at home and he died with dignity,” said Mrs Bryar, a former nurse.

When she then received a diagnosis of bowel cancer a year ago, she knew it was time to start discussing her death with daughters Jane, 45, Janice, 40 and Adele, 39, “We didn’t plan enough with my husband,” she said. “We just didn’t speak about it. This time I have spoken to the girls. It was hard because they didn’t want to talk about things like that.”

Her plans include wanting to die at home, like her husband. She has also written a will and is now planning the music for her funeral.

She said: “I have no-one else to make these decisions for me. When I die it will be easier for the girls because I have spoken about it all.”