BALLARAT residents are being invited to share their opinion on end-of-life services in the region.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The goal of the survey is to better understand the community\u2019s attitudes towards end-of-life options and caring for the deceased.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
CEO of Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust, Annie De Jong, said it is important to have an understanding of the community\u2019s preferences moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently in Victoria we\u2019ve got two options, cremation or burials, and there\u2019s some new technologies coming out that we\u2019re hoping to talk to government about introducing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore we do that we want to know if the community is interested.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite death often being an uncomfortable topic, Ms De Jong said conversations are essential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people come to see us and they\u2019re managing the affairs of somebody who has just died, all they want to do is what person wanted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf people don\u2019t have the conversation, they don\u2019t know what they want so it\u2019s one less thing people have to think about when someone they love dies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should talk about it and we should share with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n