Two free booklets have been developed in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust, Gentle Dusk and Bristol Memorial Woodland Trust to support individuals and families navigating end-of-life decisions and bereavement.
Guide to End-of-Life Planning and When Someone Dies aim to empower people by providing information, support and advice when facing death – whether their own or that of someone close to them. This includes practical guidance about funerals, estate planning, and legal requirements as well as information and support on making end-of-life care decisions and navigating grief. Feedback so far from both professionals and bereaved families has been overwhelmingly positive.
The project was led by Mireille Herbert Hayden, a health psychologist who works closely with Bristol Memorial Woodland Trust, with input from the specialist palliative care team at NBT and Gentle Dusk service users. Mireille also drew upon her own experience of a family member’s cancer diagnosis.
The booklets are available to both the public and healthcare professionals and have been translated into five languages.
Mireille Herbert Hayden said: “These booklets have been created to gently guide people through conversations and decisions that can often feel overwhelming. By providing clear, thoughtful information, we hope to give individuals and families a sense of control and reassurance.”
Professor Steve Hams, chief nursing officer for Bristol NHS Group, said: “End-of-life care is about more than clinical input; it’s about dignity, connection, and ensuring that every individual and family has the space to plan, talk, and feel supported.”
Find the booklets at https://www.bristolmemorialwoodlandtrust.org