Dying to Know Day: The Importance of Advance Care Planning
Talking about death and dying can feel uncomfortable. For many families, it’s a conversation that gets put off simply because no one is quite sure how to begin.
Dying to Know Day encourages Australians to have more open conversations about end-of-life wishes, what matters most to them, and how they would like to be supported in the future.
These conversations are not about expecting the worst. They are about making sure the people closest to you understand your wishes, so they are not left trying to make difficult decisions without knowing what you would have wanted.
What Is Dying to Know Day?
Dying to Know Day is a national awareness campaign that encourages people to talk more openly about death, dying and grief.
The 2026 theme, “Nobody Knows”, is a reminder that even the people who know us best may not know our wishes unless we take the time to share them.
That might mean talking about the care you would want to receive, who you would trust to make decisions for you, where you would prefer to be cared for, or even the smaller personal details that matter to you.
Starting these conversations can feel difficult, but they can also bring clarity, reassurance and a greater sense of control.
Why Talking About Your Wishes Matters
It is easy to assume that family members will know what you would want if they ever had to make decisions on your behalf.
But if there comes a time when you’re unable to communicate your wishes yourself, those decisions can suddenly feel much more difficult for the people close to you.
Talking about your wishes while you are able to do so gives the people close to you a clearer understanding of what matters most to you. It can also reduce some of the uncertainty and pressure they may feel if they are ever asked to make decisions about your care.
For many people, these conversations are just as much about quality of life as they are about medical treatment. You might want to talk about your independence, cultural or spiritual beliefs, relationships, routines, or the things that give your life meaning.
Where Does Advance Care Planning Fit In?
Advance care planning gives you the time and space to think about what matters most to you, talk about it with the people you trust and document your preferences for future care.
An advance care plan can help communicate your values, wishes and priorities if there comes a time when you are unable to speak for yourself.
This may include:
- The types of treatment or care you would or would not want
- What quality of life means to you
- Cultural, spiritual or religious preferences
- Who you would trust to make decisions on your behalf
- Where and how you would prefer to receive care
Having these wishes documented can make difficult situations a little clearer for everyone involved.
How Do You Start the Conversation?
There is no perfect way to talk about end-of-life wishes, and you do not need to have every answer before you begin.
Sometimes the easiest place to start is simply by talking about what matters most to you.
You might begin with questions such as:
- What would be most important to me if my health changed?
- What does living well mean to me?
- Who would I trust to speak for me if I could not speak for myself?
- Are there treatments or situations I feel strongly about?
- What would I want my family to understand about my wishes?
You may choose to have these conversations with family, close friends, your GP, or other healthcare professionals.
The important thing is that the people who may one day be involved in your care understand what you value and what you would want.
Putting Your Wishes in Writing
Once you have started these conversations, you may choose to document your preferences.
In South Australia, an Advance Care Directive provides a formal way to record your wishes for future health care and appoint a Substitute Decision-Maker if needed.
Your preferences may change over time, so it is also helpful to revisit these conversations and documents, particularly after a change in health or personal circumstances.
Advance care planning is not something you need to complete once and never think about again. It can change as your life does.
Supporting Families Through Important Conversations
These conversations aren’t only important for the person making the plan. They can also give family members, loved ones and carers the opportunity to ask questions, share how they’re feeling and better understand your wishes.
Having the conversation early can give everyone more time to listen, ask questions and understand what matters.
For some families, simply knowing that a loved one has thought about their wishes can provide reassurance. It means that if difficult decisions ever arise, they are guided by the person’s own preferences rather than guesswork.
You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone
Advance care planning can feel like a big conversation to start, particularly if you have never spoken about these topics before.
Life Care’s Advance Care Planning support is designed to give you a safe, respectful space to reflect on what matters to you and talk through your wishes at your own pace.
Our Chaplains, Nurses and Allied Health team are here to support you and your family through these conversations, helping you understand your options, document what matters to you and feel more confident about the choices you make.
Dying to Know Day is a reminder that these conversations do not need to wait for a crisis. Taking the time to share your wishes now can help ensure your voice remains part of the conversation in the future.