Dying Matters Awareness Week

From 8 - 14 May 2023, we encouraged communities across the country to come together to talk about death, dying and grief in the workplace.

Woman looking out of a window on a bus

Starting conversations about dying is often not as hard as you might think.

Every year, people around the country use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them. In 2023, Dying Matters Awareness Week took place from 8 - 14 May. 

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Dying matters at work, too

For Dying Matters Awareness Week 2023, we focused on Dying Matters at work. 

57% of employees will have experienced a bereavement in the last five years and every day, more than 600 people quit work to look after older and disabled relatives. And yet, fewer than one in five managers feel very confident supporting someone they manage with a bereavement.

By talking to those around you, you can help us make sure that workplaces are properly set up to support people who are ill, who are caring for those around them, or who have lost someone close to them.

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How you can get involved with Awareness Week

Everyone got involved in Dying Matters Awareness Week – whether with friends and family, with your company or in the community. 

  • Take our short quiz and discover how you can have meaningful and compassionate conversations with other people at work, in the community or at home. 
  • Find out what took place around the UK for Dying Matters Awareness Week - and is still happening throughout May.
  • Our webinar on 'How to talk about death at work' took place on Thursday 11 May 2023. It was hosted by our Compassionate Employers programme, and attendees heard from Simon Blake, CEO Mental Health First Aid England and Aongola Victor Simuyemba, Bereavements Manager at Monzo. 
  • Keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and sign up to our email updates to hear the latest from Dying Matters Awareness Week in 2024.
Your compassionate superpower - find out!

Find out your compassionate superpower score!

Find out where you stand on the compassionate superhero scale with our short quiz – and check out tips to improve on each of the six superpower skills.

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And what about your workplace?

Could you and your colleagues benefit from dedicated wellbeing support for staff and employers? Get in touch with our wellbeing support programme to see how your organisation can be well set up to look after employees through grief, illness and caring. 

It's easy to find out how it could work for you and your workplace. Email us today!

Dying Matters at Work stories

Read these powerful and moving stories of people's varying experiences of caring and grief in the workplace.

Aongola's #DyingMattersAtWork story
Dying Matters

'Someone has died…I can’t come to my interview'

In 2021, a seemingly insignificant decision by a team of interviewers made a huge impact on Aongola. This is his #DyingMattersAtWork story.
Find out more
Sally-Ann's #DyingMattersAtWork story
Dying Matters

‘I was back to work in just three days’

Being given just three days compassionate leave following the death of your father might seem inconceivable to most, but that’s exactly what happened to Sally-Ann.
Find out more
Rubina’s story: how dying mattered at work for me
Dying Matters

Rubina’s story: how dying mattered at work for me

Losing both of her parents prompted Rubina to change both her mindset and conditions for her colleagues. This is her #DyingMattersAtWork story.
Find out more
Carolynne is a primary carer to her daughter, Freya, who has complex needs
Dying Matters

Carolynne’s story: Caring to make a difference

For Dying Matters Awareness Week, Carolynne tells her #DyingMattersAtWork story…and how having a compassionate employer has made a huge difference.
Find out more
Stephen Bevan reflects on the four years since his cancer diagnosis in this blog for Dying Matters
Dying Matters

A Last Hurrah? Reflections on a Terminal Diagnosis

Stephen Bevan reflects on the four years since his cancer diagnosis - and shares what he's learned about navigating his way through his 'most recent and difficult chapter'.
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Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work
Dying Matters

Dying Matters at work

An article in support of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2023 written by Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.
Find out more
Graphic with information about the 'How to talk about Death at Work webinar'

Webinar: How to talk about death at work

On Thursday 11 May, Compassionate Employers hosted a webinar on 'How to talk about death at work' for Dying Matters Awareness Week.  

The session featured Simon Blake, CEO Mental Health First Aid England, Aongola Victor Simuyemba, Bereavements Lead at Monzo and Faith Holloway, Compassionate Employers Programme Lead at Hospice UK and provided practical advice, tips and tricks on how to start workplace conversations on this often taboo subject. 

Watch the recording
Your compassionate superpower - find out!

Find out your compassionate superpower score!

Find out where you stand on the compassionate superhero scale with our short quiz – and check out tips to improve on each of the six superpower skills.
Find out more
Tell us about your Dying Matters event, and we'll add it to our Hospice UK events listing

Tell us about your Dying Matters Awareness Week event

Each Dying Matters Awareness week, there are hundreds of events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Tell us about yours, and we'll add it to our listings.
Find out more
Find out about the fantastic range of events taking place around the UK for Dying Matters Awareness Week in 2023

What's on: Dying Matters Awareness Week

Find out about the fantastic range of events that took place around the UK for Dying Matters Awareness Week in 2023 - many run throughout May.
Find out more