A Newcastle cemetery is hosting a seminar on preparing a plan for care at the end of life as part of a series of discussions on death, dying and grieving.
The free talk at Sandgate Cemetery on Wednesday evening is being organised by Newcastle Compassionate Community.
The organisation's chair Jeanette Lacey, who is an end-of-life care nurse practitioner at John Hunter Hospital, said her work had illustrated to her the importance of Wednesday's topic.
"Advanced care planning covers all aspects of preparing for getting sicker, older and preparing for the unknown really," Ms Lacey said.
"Working in the heath care sector, I've met people who have never had these conversations and talked to family members about what is important to them in case they get really sick.
"It includes writing a will, appointing people to speak for you if you can't speak for yourself, and deciding whether you are willing to accept CPR, willing to go to intensive care, have artificial breathing done for you, kidney dialysis or artificial hydration as part of end-of-life treatment.
"I've really recognised in my work that by not telling family what you want it places a greater burden on families because they end up having to make those decisions," she said.
On Wednesday, health worker Lisa Shaw will present on the practical requirements of preparing an advanced care plan.
Newcastle resident Kirstie Cullingford will share her personal experience of losing her husband to illness, and her desire to increase support for those facing the death of a loved one.
Upcoming seminars will look at palliative care options in the region, grieving, memoir writing, preparing your own funeral and planning for the last year of life.
Ms Lacey said Newcastle Compassionate Community was a group of "passionate individuals" trying to improve residents' abilities to look after each other during major life events.
She said a forum hosted in Newcastle by the organisation last year identified a need for a "safe place" to talk about death and dying.
"I believe every person in our community deserves social connection," she said.
"Communities need to be able to look after each other in times of crisis."
Call 4968 3602 to register for the event.