Funeral Homes across Swindon are hosting coffee mornings this week as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Between May 13-17 the Midcounties Co-operative Funeralcare will be open to the local community between 11am – 3pm, to help people understand the process of planning a funeral and the support services available.

They will also be offering advice on how to have difficult conversations around dying and bereavement.

Jason Timms, Sector Manager at The Midcounties Co-operative Funeralcare said: “We want to raise awareness of the importance of discussing death with loved ones and putting all the measures in place to ensure that, when the time comes, you are prepared.

"We know that one of the most difficult conversations anyone can have is about dying, and we want to provide guidance and advice to help people approach the subject."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Dying Matters Awareness Week, which aims to try and dispel some of the myths and fears around dying and funerals, and encourage people to talk more openly about making provisions for a funeral.

Mr Timms added: "Supporting the awareness week offers people the opportunity to just drop in and ask questions, as well as chat to our colleagues and find out a bit more about what we actually do here.

"We want to help the local community feel more at ease with our industry.”