Welcome to Dying Matters Week Aotearoa.
This national event supports people in New Zealand to start conversations, learn from experts, and feel empowered to put end-of-life planning in place to create peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.
Dying Matters Week 2024 took place from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th August at local libraries around New Zealand. The programme included resources and information from local businesses,curated collections of books on grief and dying, and free workshops and presentations from experts in end-of-life and death-care.
Who Should Attend?
Dying Matters Week is relevant to anyone in the community who is wanting to be better prepared for end of life. If you have ever had to farewell someone very close to you, you will understand there are many decisions to be made and many questions to answer.
We are creating this event to support people who would like help to start these often difficult conversations, because we know that when these conversations are held, and decisions are made, the reward is peace of mind that your wishes are known and your loved ones will be better supported.
We look forward to meeting and talking with people at all stages of life, including people who have elderly parents, those caring for a sick loved one at home, anyone who wants to start planning for end-of-life and those who have lost a loved one and are looking for support and resources.
Find & register for events in your region
WHANGĀREI | WHANGAPARĀOA | AUCKLAND | PALMERSTON NORTH | WELLINGTON | CANTERBURY | OTAGO | ONLINE EVENTS
Dying Matters Week 2024 Programme (New Zealand)
Book Displays
Explore a curated collection of books for adults and children, about end-of-life, health journeys and grief.
Storytelling
Read about others’ experiences with death and dying through poems and stories shared from the local community. Submit a story/poem to remember your loved one…
Workshops
Attend workshops on Advanced Care Planning, Go With Grace End-of-Life Planning, memory box making, narrative therapy and other wellness topics and activities.
Local Resources
Explore death care resources from local businesses and organisations, for example, community organisations, aged care organisations, wellness providers and palliative care providers.
Presentations
Attend free talks from experts on topics including: natural death care, what happens to the body near end-of-life, caring for carers, grief in the workplace aromatherapy for palliative care, volunteering at Hospice, wills and end-of-life planning.
Departure Lounge
Relax in a comfy space inside the library and connect with others. Start conversations, explore resources such as conversation cards or write in the Dying Matters Memorial Book and on the ‘Before I Die…’ chalkboard.
Death Cafe
Join your local Death Cafe group for cake, coffee and conversations about death.
Community
If you’re keen to hold your own event, like an open day or info evening, we can help you promote it so please get in touch at hello@gowithgrace.nz
Share events with others
To share Dying Matters Week events with others, you can like and share events from the Dying Matters Week Facebook page or sign up to the Go With Grace newsletter at the bottom of this page.
Dying Matters Week is a chance for people of all ages to start conversations about death and dying, so we are all better prepared.
How can I get involved?
If you are able to support and promote Dying Matters Week in your region, please get in touch with the Go With Grace team at hello@gowithgrace.nz.
Get in touch
Whangarei – Email Jo
Whangaparāoa – Email Marama
Auckland – Email Maria
Palmerston North – Email Angela
Porirua – Email Mel
North Canterbury – Email Liz
Christchurch – Email Julie
Otago – Email Sally