Death and dying: what to expect

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Understanding more about death and dying

Talking about dying isn't easy. Here you will find practical advice and resources on how to tell somebody that a loved one is dying, or has died.

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What to do when someone receives a terminal diagnosis

This step-by-step guide has advice for when you or someone close to you has been given a terminal diagnosis, and ways you can access hospice care.
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What to expect when someone is in the last few days of life. Woman in hospital kissing a young girl

What to expect when someone is in the last few days of life

The dying process is unique to each person, but there are a few common changes that happen to almost everyone when they are in the last days of life.
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Advice and guidance on what to expect in the last moments before death.

What to expect in the last moments before death

It can be difficult to know exactly when someone is going to die or has died. Here are some of the most common signs in the last moments before death.
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What to do when someone dies

When someone important to you has died it can be very hard knowing what to do next. This page has a step-by-step guide.
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Talking about death and dying

Talking about death to people you care about isn’t easy. Find practical advice and on how to tell somebody that a loved one is dying, or has died.
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Palliative care doctor, author and Hospice UK supporter, Kathryn Mannix, explains how dying is a process (image credit Craig Fordham)
Dying Matters

Dying is not as bad as you're expecting

Palliative care doctor, author and Hospice UK supporter, Kathryn Mannix, explains how dying is a process - and one that is much more gentle than we imagine.
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In this video, Dr Kathryn Mannix guides you gently on a step by step journey through the process of dying

Dying for Beginners: what happens when someone is dying

In this video animated by Emily Downe, Dr Kathryn Mannix guides you gently on a step by step journey through the process of dying, and what it's like to die.

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The hospices across Birmingham and Solihull have teamed up to offer advice

Hospice Care Finder

Looking for a hospice care provider? Our hospice finder shows you adult and children's hospice care providers near you.

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Hospice care

What is hospice care?

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Real people, real stories

It was like he’d waited for everyone else to go

Jess, whose husband Tom received hospice care
Read Tom and Jess' story
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Dying Matters

Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign is working with you to create an open culture in which we’re comfortable talking about death, dying and grief.

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