Death and loss continue to be misunderstood and feared despite being the most universal and routine human experience of all. We no longer speak about the commonplace ordinariness of death, dying and loss.
Matters of Life & Death aims to encourage people to view death as a normal and regularly occurring human experience, to provide a stimulus for people to engage in reflective thought and conversation about death, and to show supportive personal and community caring for people affected by death and loss.
Exploring death helps us to examine what dying may mean for us and for those around us. It places in our thoughts the inevitability of our death. It gives us the opportunity to review and clarify our values, enlightening our present and shaping our future. Matters of Life & Death aims to reduce the fear and mystery around death, and provide people and the community with the opportunity to understand the process, work together and find practical ways to manage the final phase of life.
Matters of Life & Death will draw on a cross section of generations including Seniors, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, who will discuss their attitudes and experiences of and to death, dying, grief and loss, including sudden death and suicide. Some stories will be told in intimate and personal conversation, while others will be told amongst groups of peers, friends or family. These stories will also include interviews with doctors, nurses, palliative care practitioners and pastoral care workers in both acute and palliative situations.
Within the context of these interviews will be information that relates to managing practical aspects such as treatment, available services, advanced care directives, funerals and wills.
Matters of Life & Death will tell a remarkable story that communicates the diverse experience that is death. It will be as much a celebration of life and the human experience as it is about our final journey into the unknown.
