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News Inspirational book about end of life care


ANYONE WHO KNOWS or loves someone living with a terminal or chronic illness will find a new book written by an American hospice volunteer an inspiring read. Hospice Voices tells the stories of the last days of some fascinating people while it follows author Eric Lindner through his journey as a hospice volunteer. Eric paints vivid portraits of the


patients he meets; who are all different, but have shared amazing lives. There is the man who spent his life spreading love and compassion in the Peace Corps and another who shot down kamikaze pilots during the Second World War. There’s a fearless, but


desperately ill woman, who carries a 5lb gun that weighs almost as much as she does and a former teacher with Alzheimer’s who once spent a precious summer enabling a terminally ill child to pass his end-


of-year exams because he wanted to go to heaven as a success. There is plenty of practical


advice too: how to be guided by the patient’s wishes; that simple companionship is often worth more than you could ever have imagined. Eric brings his patients edible


treats, helps them write last letters to loved ones, reads to them. These are simple things on the surface but precious things underneath. For those called to volunteer or


serve as caregivers, Hospice Voices offers motivation, inspiration, and encouragement as Eric celebrates the lives of those who choose to live even as they die. Readers in the UK should note


that the word hospice refers to a wide range of palliative care in the US. But, generally though, this book is universal, addressing end of life situations, paying tribute to people no longer with us and


Farewell photography


A NOTTINGHAM WEDDING and portrait photographer is extending her business to include funeral photography. Nottingham Funeral


Photography has been launched by Beverley Perkins who believes 15 years experience of the industry has given her the photographic skills and expertise to capture the moment with sensitivity and discretion.


Beverley said: “From personal


experience, I know that a funeral can pass in an emotional blur, and whilst people often do not want a reminder of their loved one’s passing, evidence of other people’s feelings can be a wonderful help with the healing process and add to the cherished memories.” The photography service is initially only being offered in the Nottinghamshire area and Beverley


will photograph the events from the arriving funeral cortege at the ceremony venue, until the wake reception afterwards. Beverley is happy to make a


commemorative photo book afterwards should this be required. Visit the website www. nottinghamfuneralphotography. co.uk, or email for more information info@ beverleyperkinsphotographer.co.uk


Rise in cost of dying drives up ‘funeral poverty’


The basic cost of a funeral in the UK has increased for the 10th year running, according to an annual survey which found the cost of dying has soared by 80% since 2004. A steep rise in local authority


burial and cremation fees has pushed the average cost of a basic funeral up to £3,456, according to insurer Sun Life Direct. When discretionary costs such


as probate, headstones and flowers are added, the total cost of dying has risen faster than inflation and now stands at £7,622 – an increase


of 7.1% on 2012. The figures are set out in Sun


Life Direct’s annual Cost of Dying report, which said this year’s increase was mainly due to the rise in disbursement fees, in particular cremation and burial fees. Since 2007, burial fees have risen


by 69% and cremation fees by 51%; they now stand at £3,914 and £2,998 respectively. And the research projects that


funeral costs will continue to rise significantly, to an expected £4,326 in 2018. Melanie Rees, head of brand


at Sun Life Direct, said: “As over 100,000 people struggle to pay for a funeral this year, an important message for everyone should be to do something to prepare, however small. “The death of a loved one is a difficult time and is only compounded by financial worries over how to pay for the funeral. “As funeral poverty has increased 50% in just three years, something must be done as a matter of urgency before more families are unable to give their loved ones the send-off they deserve”.


throwing light on the work done by volunteers across the globe. All the profits from this book will be donated to end-of-life charities. What better final recommendation is there? Hospice Voices: Lessons for


Living at the End of Life by Eric Lindner is available from www. hospicevoices.com


Burial space in England ‘could run out in 20 years’


ALMOST HALF OF ENGLAND’S cemeteries could run out of space within the next 20 years, according to a new survey. And a quarter of 358 local


authorities responding to the survey, which was conducted by he BBC, said they would have no more room for burials within a decade. Cemetery experts warned of a looming “crisis”, while managers called for a change in law to allow graves that are more than 75-years- old to be reused. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the issue was “under constant review”. Many of the councils surveyed said they had five years or less before they ran out of room. Other areas - such as Tandridge district council in the South East - said they had already run out of space. Some 44% said they had 20 years or less before burial space ran out. Although local authorities in


larger areas such as Sheffield and Oxford expressed concern about dwindling cemetery space, some of the worst-hit areas were small rural councils. Among them was the town of


Bicester in Oxfordshire, which is due to double in size over the next 10 years with the development of 12,000 houses. About 74% of people who died in 2012 in the UK were cremated, but the cremation rates have levelled off - and there is still a demand for full burial and burial of ashes. Do you have plans for your


own funeral? Have you reserved a space somewhere? Do you feel it is important to be buried near your family or will you choose to be cremated and scattered to the wind? Do you wish for a more outlandish form of burial? Would you secretly like to be buried at sea, or launched into space? Tell us how you plan to be laid to rest when the time comes. Email info@ farewellmagazine.co.uk


Farewell Magazine 13


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