THE Cardiff & Glamorgan Crematorium will host a community awareness event providing information and the chance for people to ask questions and talk openly about death.

The event at the Port Road East, Barry, site, will take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday, May 16.

It is being held as part of the Dying Matters Awareness week, May 14 to May 20.

Event organiser, Ceri-Lou Newman of Cherished Memories, a local civil funeral celebrant, and hopes through open and informal discussion to breakdown the taboo surrounding the topic of death and start the #BigConversation that many people put off.

Ms Newman is passionate about the ‘death positive movement’ which is gaining momentum.

She said: “Having trained as a funeral director and now through my work as a funeral celebrant, I see how difficult it is for families when their loved ones have died before making their wishes known to them.

“When we suffer an unexpected bereavement, understandably our emotions are all over the place; there is so much to organise; lots of paperwork to complete, family and friends to contact and often we are hard pressed to remember what nanny’s favourite hymn was or what tie dad would like to be buried in. Or would he prefer to be cremated and scattered in a place special to the family? One of the most thoughtful things we can do is make our wishes known so that when the time comes, we are not leaving loved ones with all these decisions to make and the possible worry that that we may have made the wrong decision. By breaking down the taboo surrounding death and funerals and by having conversations with our loved ones, we can find out what their final wishes are and honour them accordingly. Discussing our wishes now, while we can, will hopefully take away some of that unnecessary pressure at what will already be a difficult time.”

The free and open to the public event will give details about the options available and considerations to bear in mind.

There will be suggestions of personal touches that families can arrange themselves to create a unique funeral service.

Industry experts will answer any questions and will include funeral directors, funeral service leaders such as civil and humanist celebrants and ministers, bereavement counsellors, experts in cremation, traditional and natural burials, palliative care organisations and representatives from organ donation and bereavement support groups.

Information will be available from other industry related organisations that can help people think about what they would like for their own funeral.

Manager of the Memoria Cardiff & Glamorgan Memorial Park and Crematorium in Cardiff said, Michelle Jones said: “This is a first for us, but we’ve seen, through the Dying Matters awareness campaign, all the other events taking place across the country and we think there is a need for open discussion here.

“Talking about death can be a bit awkward at first, but it is something we all have to face. We are proud to host this event and hopefully many big conversations will follow which, when had, will enable people to concentrate on living their lives to the full.”

For information about the event, visit www.cherishedmemories.wales or call 07999 715251.