COFFIN cakes will be on the menu at a new event aiming to open up the difficult subject of death and dying.

District nurses, a palliative care doctor, a solicitor and an undertaker will all be on hand at the Dying Matters event at St Andrew’s Church Hall in Ashburton on Saturday May 10 between 10am and 3pm.

The event is being organised by local district nurse Anna Dunscombe, who says the day will be about creating a warm, safe and friendly environment where everyone is welcome.

She said: ‘A lot of our job in the community nursing team is about supporting people and their families at the end of their lives.

‘We know how difficult it is to face death, and to talk about it; the event is all about making the inevitable a little easier and less frightening.

‘There will be lots of free tea and cake on offer throughout the day, as well as soup at lunchtime; we will even have coffin cakes.’

Anna and her fellow district nurses will be on hand to answer people’s questions; also present will be Dr Sarah Human, a palliative care consultant at Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay, Totnes-based undertaker Ru Callender, and solicitor Emma Oakley.

Between 12 noon and 1pm there will be a “question time” type event with Sarah, Ru and Emma, chaired by local writer Sophie Pierce, which is being billed as “Coffin Conversations”.

Anna explained: ‘By calling it Coffin Conversations we want to lighten the gloom around death a little.

‘The whole point of the day is to try and remove some of the great taboo around this subject which is something we all fear but which of course comes to us all.

‘Everyone is welcome, either to drop in or stay for the whole day, and there is absolutely no question that cannot be asked either publicly in the Q and A session or privately during the day.

‘We are open to questions on anything from “will the Government take all my money?” to “how will I know when I am dying?’

The Ashburton event is part of a national campaign, led by Hospice UK, to encourage open and honest discussion about end-of-life experiences.

Chris White, Senior Digital Marketing and Campaign Manager at Hospice UK, said: 'Talking about death and dying is never easy, but it’s vital.

'Honest and timely conversations can ensure that people get the support they need and help loved ones better understand their wishes.

‘We want everyone to feel empowered to have these conversations.’