More than half of UK adults said a health scare or illness (51%) triggers them to think about their death or end-of-life planning, according to research by protection and employee benefits provider MetLife UK.
Its research also found that the death of a loved one (64%) and will planning (37%) are the most common prompts to discuss end-of-life plans, followed by a loved one broaching the topic (36%)
Less conventional triggers include a television show, movie, play or book (16%), and news articles or social media posts (11%).
Other triggers include: a milestone such as birthdays or anniversaries (19%), an employer discussing it as part of its workplace benefits offering and support (11%), a financial adviser (9%), and divorce (4%).
Additionally, a fifth (19%) have not broached the topic at all with their other half, while 36% have not discussed death with their children.
A quarter (26%) of bereaved adults have also not spoken about the topic with their parents or in-laws, although a quarter (25%) said they have spoken about their parents’ end of life.
When thinking about planning and preparing for their own death, 34% think it is sensible to make preparations and have already thought about it. Just over a fifth (22%) have not made any plans for their own passing, while 17% said they have documented and shared their wishes. Just over a tenth (13%) do not want to think about it or tempt fate, while 9% are indifferent to the subject.
Charlotte O’Brien, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK, said: “Birthdays and anniversaries can be particularly triggering for people who have lost a loved one, although the reality is that grief can rear its head at any time. Some group life offerings are more than just a payment upon the death. It includes a host of additional services to help families deal with the loss of a loved one, such as an employee assistance programme, which can provide someone to talk to round the clock; bereavement counselling; plus a funeral concierge service to help support with the practical aspects of funeral planning. Having the right support in place, and letting people know that the support is available, is vital and needs to be ongoing.”
