Rochester will celebrate Dying to Know Day next month with a free community event aimed at helping people navigate death and dying.

Dying to Know Day is a national initiative encouraging Australians to talk about death, dying and grief, helping people plan ahead and make informed end-of-life decisions.

Health professionals and support services will come together for the local event at Rochester Shire Hall on Monday, August 10.

The event is one of two being organised in the region, with a similar Dying to Know Day planned for Bendigo the following day.

Event organiser and local end-of-life doula Esther Guinea said the day was about helping people feel more comfortable when discussing death.

“There are so many different avenues of support available, but I don’t think people realise that,” she said.

“I want people to feel more confident, informed, able to ask the questions, feel supported when navigating grief, end-of-life care, anything even with ageing.

“I want people to feel confident that they can have these end-of-life conversations with their family and friends.”

Ms Guinea said one of the key motivations behind the event was the need for communities to become more involved.

“Our community is not going to be able to support people in hospitals, so we need to band together as a community to support people at home to die and to have those services available,” she said.

The event will provide attendees with information on topics such as palliative care, advance care planning, voluntary assisted dying, legal matters, funeral planning, grief support and caring for loved ones at their end of life.

Representatives from Carers Victoria, Carer Gateway, legal services and end-of-life support groups will also be present on the day.

The day will run from 9.30am to 1pm and will include a morning tea break where participants can speak with presenters and connect with other attendees.

For more information, contact Esther Guinea on 0459 892 697 or email hello@livingandleaving.com.au

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