'Death Positive' Event at Southend Libraries

Southend Libraries have invited organisations and services across the sector including bereavement support groups and services, celebrants and funeral directors, to come in and share information with the local community about the support, advice and guidance that is available when dealing with death, bereavement and loss.

This is a drop in event, open to all on May 3 2022 12pm – 3pm at The Forum: Southend-on-Sea, Elmer Square, Southend.

'Death positive libraries' is a national scheme aiming to help remove the barriers to talking about death and dying through a range of innovative activities in libraries that appeal to diverse communities. This is the first such activity in Southend Libraries.

The phrase ‘death positive library’ aims to reflect libraries’ contributions to the growing social and philosophical movement that encourages people to speak openly about death and dying.

Speaking on the library’s ‘death positive’ framework, Tandra Forster, executive director for adults and communities, said: “Although death is a very natural part of life, so many of us still struggle to speak about it. Seeking support to help us cope with death and dying for ourselves or our loved ones is so important, and I am sure that this initiative through Southend Libraries will help so many people deal with this subject effectively.”

Almost 80% of British adults find it difficult to talk about death, even though we all have to face it. Not talking about death, not getting the right support and advice at the right time and the suffering that people go through when a loved one dies or when they are facing death themselves, puts enormous strain on mental health and wellbeing.

Libraries are uniquely placed to be a centre for bereavement support as well as a trusted space where conversations about death and dying can take place.

For more information on Dying Matters Awareness week see Dying Matters Awareness Week | Hospice UK