Let’s talk about death - Palliative Care Victoria
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1 Let’s talk about death
Transcript of Let’s talk about death - Palliative Care Victoria
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Let’s talk about death
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You might want someone like a
family member, friend or carer
to help you look at the booklet so
you can talk about it.
This booklet is in Easy English
and uses photos to help you
understand the information about
what happens when someone dies.
If you feel upset and need help
you can call:
GriefLine: 1300 845 745
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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Alex’s story
They liked the same music and footy team.
They met each weekend for coffee and
a chat.
They shared stories and laughed a lot.
Alex and Lee had been friends for years.
Lee had moved from another country.
Alex and Lee lived in the same street.
They went to the same school.
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One morning, Alex was told there had
been an accident.
Lee had died.
It was so sudden.
Alex was shocked.
He cried a lot.
He could not sleep.
He was sad, then angry.
Alex didn’t understand that his friend
will never come back.
He talked to his Dad.
His Dad said to him that we all will die.
He talked to him about the circle of life.
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What is the circle of life
All living things, like people, animals or plants:
This is the circle of life.
• are born
• grow
• die
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What is death?
When a person dies:
• their body stops working
• their heart stops beating
• they stop breathing
• their brain stops working
• they cannot see, hear or feel
• they are not in pain
A person who has died will not
come back to life.
Death happens to every living thing.
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Why do people die?
Some people die:
• because they are very old
• of an illness
• of an accident
• of murder
• of war
• suddenly
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• Some people want to be cremated.
Cremation is when the body is turned
into ashes.
The ashes are put in a container called
an urn.
• A funeral company will help to plan the
funeral.
• Before the person died they might have
told someone what they want.
• Some people want to be buried.
Burial is when the body is put in a coffin.
The coffin is put in the ground at a
cemetery.
What happens after someone has died?
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• sad
• angry
• upset
• lonely
• confused
That’s called grief.
What might happen to you?
When someone you care about dies, you might feel:
• you can talk to your family
• you can talk to a counsellor
• you can call:
GriefLine: 1300 845 745
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
If a loved one has died and you are grieving you
can get help:
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Alex picked Lee’s favourite flowers to put
around the urn.
He played his favourite music.
Lee’s family and friends went to the service.
Alex spoke of fun times with Lee and of
their great friendship.
He also talked about how much he would
miss him.
What did Alex do?
Lee’s family asked Alex to help plan
his funeral.
Lee wanted his service to be at his
church.
He wanted to be cremated and put his
ashes in the lake.
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After the service they all went to the park.
Lee’s family scattered his ashes in the lake.
Alex said goodbye to his friend.
At home, Alex looked at photos of Lee.
He played their favourite music and
watched their footy team on TV.
Alex had sad days and happy days.
He made more friends but he would
never forget Lee.
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© Palliative Care Victoria Inc.2020. This work is copyright. Palliative Care Victoria encourages the use and distribution of this resource. This publication may not be reproduced for sale without permission.
Disclaimer: Images used from iStock, Shutterstock and Photosymbols. Images are for illustrative purposes. Names and characters are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people is purely coincidental.
Appreciation Palliative Care Victoria wishes to thank the self-advocates (Anthony, Greg, Jenny, Mary and Suzy) and staff members (Anthony, Sara and Zoe) from VALID and counsellor (Janet) for their contributions to this booklet.
Our thanks to the Department of Health and Human Services for funding the booklet.
Palliative Care Victoria Inc. Suite 3C, Level 2 182 Victoria Parade East Melbourne Victoria 3002
Tel: +61 03 9662 9644 Fax: +61 03 9662 9722 E: [email protected] W: www.pallcarevic.asn.au
Reg. Inc. No A0022429M ABN 88 819 011 622
