Too often, people are ill-equipped to start a conversation or know best how to support a loved one who is dying, caring or grieving, often resulting in an end of life experience that is not consistent with their values or wishes.
Dying to Know Day (August 8) is designed to change this by activating conversations and curiosity.
By encouraging death literacy and providing a space to talk about end of life plans, we can all help individuals, families and even whole communities to do death better.
The theme for this year is Death: It Takes All of Us and communities and individuals are being encouraged to consider what part they can play in supporting each other in times of vulnerability.
Dr Julieanne Hilbers is a co-founder of the South West Compassionate Communities Network.
"Our best hope is that every person, every family and every community in the South West knows what to do when someone is caring, dying or grieving," Dr Hilbers said.
"Since our launch at the DEATH Fest in Bunbury last year there has been a huge amount of interest and support for what we are doing."
"This year there are a wide range of activities happening across the South West in August including events in Bunbury, Collie, Busselton, Manjimup, Harvey and Margaret River."
Events include planning ahead and funeral planning workshops, remembrance gatherings, Death Cafés, Coffin Club meetup and You Can't Ask That questions and answers.
"Each year we hope to profile a different cemetery. This year we are visiting the old Harvey Cemetery," she said.
"We are also taking a behind the scenes look at the Bunbury crematorium and funeral centre."
To see information about all the events in the South West, head to www.facebook.com/swcomcomnetwork.
