It’s rare that you hear people talking about death. When it does come up, it tends to do so indirectly, implicit in more common discussions about how to stay fit and young, or the latest medical breakthrough allowing a further prolongation of life. In this context, to talk about death smacks of defeatism.
Except, that is, if you have encountered the Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well. Initially set up by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales in 2016 and now housed at St Mary’s University Twickenham, the centre has successfully broken taboos on dying and death.
“We believe that by changing the conversation around death, we can change the experience,” says Maggie Doherty, the Centre’s director. She points to “great riches” of the Catholic Church’s ars moriendi tradition, referring in particular to two 14th century texts written during a time when plague and infant mortality were regular features of human life.
One of the Centre’s most successful ventures has been the Art of Dying Well podcast, made possible by grants from the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom. Described by the Guardian newspaper as “one of the three best podcasts on death” and ranked in the top 10% of most popular shows in the world, there are now more than 40 episodes on topics ranging from dealing with the loss of a baby and effective palliative care to discussions on the religious views of life after death.
Together with his guests, James Abbott calmly, candidly and warmly shatters the silence around death, bringing to the surface something most of us would prefer not to think about. The Centre has also created an accessible website with clear, meaningful advice for those dealing with their own death or the death of a loved one. Tellingly, one of the most visited parts of the website is one where visitors can find prayers for the dying, an indication that it is perhaps being used by mourners around the bedside of a loved one.
In addition to these resources, the Centre has been involved in public policy discussions around the importance of palliative care, so-called ‘death literacy’ and educational programmes for carers working with the sick and elderly. To inform this work, a major research project about British attitudes towards death, dying and bereavement through the analysis of 110,000 social media posts has recently been completed . Discussions about end-of-life care, especially for provision for the elderly, are likely to dominate the political agenda in the coming years, so the Centre’s research will play a key role in informing policy-makers.
When asked why she felt so strongly about a topic people normally shy away from, Doherty referred to her own parents’ ‘good deaths’, and her desire to make this possible for others. She has also noted a shift in public discourse on end-of-life care and mortality. “There seems to be a growing recognition that death is not just a medical event,” she said, pointing in particular to the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems “to have awakened for many the need to grapple with ultimate questions and to find a supportive community in doing so”. Providing this community and answers to these questions is exactly what the Centre seeks to do.
To learn more about the mission and work of The Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well, explore their website.
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