A HOSPICE is launching a project aimed at getting people to think about death and dying.

The St Cuthbert’s Hospice scheme covers practical issues such as power of attorney, care plans, wills and funeral plans.

The ‘Everything in Place’ campaign starts with a series of events in the Chester-le-Street area this month.

Community liaison officer Louise Johnson said: “This is a really important project for our communities.

“We want to break the taboo of death and dying. We need to make death part of life, instead of something that creeps out of the darkness, it is coming to everyone.”

The Durham-based hospice is working with Cestria Housing, health and care organisations, hospice volunteers and the Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership.

It is timed to coincide with the national Dying Matters week and will launch with a ‘bucket list’ event in the Market Place at Chester-le-Street on May 16.

Shoppers will be asked questions about death and to write things they want to do before they die on white board.

Ms Johnson will make presentations at bingo clubs, older people’s health clubs, coffee mornings and community centres from May 18 to 24, ahead of the monthly, two hour sessions at Ouston Community Centre, Sacriston Fullforth Centre, Chester-Le-Street Parish Centre, Cornerstones @ Methodist Church and Lumley Methodist Church, running from early June through to November.

Sessions have been designed to enlighten people about powers of attorney, wills, funeral plans, funeral poverty, care in advance of need and to explain how sharing likes and dislikes can make a difference.

Ms Johnson said: “If you end up suddenly having to go into a care home and they don’t know your preferences, then you probably won’t get them.”