Feedback sought on end-of-life options

BALLARAT residents are being invited to share their opinion on end-of-life services in the region.

A survey is being carried out by the Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust and the results will be used as part of a research project created in collaboration with Federation University.

The goal of the survey is to better understand the community’s attitudes towards end-of-life options and caring for the deceased.

Respondents are asked about topics such as eco-friendly burials, alkaline hydrolysis also known as water cremation, and natural organic reduction – otherwise known as human composting.

CEO of Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust, Annie De Jong, said it is important to have an understanding of the community’s preferences moving forward.

“Currently in Victoria we’ve got two options, cremation or burials, and there’s some new technologies coming out that we’re hoping to talk to government about introducing,” she said.

“Before we do that we want to know if the community is interested.”

Despite death often being an uncomfortable topic, Ms De Jong said conversations are essential.

“When people come to see us and they’re managing the affairs of somebody who has just died, all they want to do is what person wanted,” she said.

“If people don’t have the conversation, they don’t know what they want so it’s one less thing people have to think about when someone they love dies.

“We should talk about it and we should share with each other.”

To participate in the survey visit bit.ly/40CUqI1.