Because You Matter: Honouring Life and Protecting Love During Dying Matters Awareness Week

Every May, Dying Matters Awareness Week encourages us to have honest, heartfelt conversations about death, dying, and grief—conversations that many of us find difficult, but deeply necessary. This week is a reminder that while death is part of life, it’s also something we can prepare for with intention, compassion, and care.

For me, this is more than a topic—it’s personal.

I’ve experienced the deep, life-altering pain of losing loved ones, including my wonderful mother. Losing her changed everything. It made me realise how fragile life is, and how important it is to plan for what we so often avoid talking about.

Why Talking About Death Matters

Talking about death doesn’t make it happen. But not talking about it can leave our families unprepared, emotionally and practically. It’s never easy to face the thought of life without someone we love—or the thought of them facing life without us—but by opening up the conversation, we make space for connection, clarity, and peace.

These discussions aren’t about being morbid. They’re about being kind. They’re about recognising that the people we love will one day face difficult moments, and doing what we can now to ease their path later.

Protection: A Final Gift of Love

When we talk about protection, we’re not just talking about financial products. We’re talking about love in action.

Protection can mean:

• Putting life insurance in place to support your family financially
• Writing or updating a will so your wishes are known and respected
• Choosing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you can’t
• Making sure your family knows your preferences for care, funeral arrangements, or memorials

These acts aren’t just about money or legal documents. They are a way of saying, “I’ve thought of you. I’ve taken care of this, so you don’t have to carry it all.”

Having walked through grief myself, I can tell you that even the smallest preparations make a difference. They lift a heavy weight. They allow space for healing. They give loved ones the gift of time and clarity when it matters most.

You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once

Planning ahead doesn’t mean you need to have every answer right away. It’s okay to take it one step at a time. Even starting the conversation is a meaningful act.

Here are a few gentle ways to begin:

• Reflect on your values and wishes—what matters most to you?
• Talk to a loved one about your thoughts, no matter how simple
• Speak to a financial advisor or solicitor about getting your plans in order
• Consider if life insurance could provide peace of mind for your family
• Write down anything that would be helpful for your family to know

It’s not about getting everything perfect. It’s about getting started—with heart, with love, and with the people who matter most.

Final Thoughts: Love That Lasts

Dying Matters Awareness Week reminds us that while we can’t control when we leave this world, we can choose how we care for those we leave behind. Protection is one of the most loving, thoughtful things we can do—not for ourselves, but for the people who will carry our memory.

If you’ve experienced loss like I have, know that you’re not alone. Grief changes us, but it can also deepen our compassion, our perspective, and our purpose. For me, that purpose is helping others plan ahead—not out of fear, but out of love.

Because love doesn’t end. It just changes form. And protection is one of the ways love lives on.