What does intimacy mean when a life-limiting illness changes our lives?
When you hear the word intimacy, what do you think of? Sex? A romantic relationship? Emotional closeness? For Dr Kate Sugar, Senior Researcher & Evaluation Lead at Dorothy House, intimacy is about feeling connected to the people who are important to her. So what does intimacy mean when a life-limiting illness changes our lives?
Why intimacy matters at the end of life
Find out about the IN-TALK study, which stands for Intimacy in Palliative and End-of-Life Care, which will explore how hospices can better support the intimacy needs of patients and the people closest to them. The England-wide project is being led by Dorothy House, and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
What happens during the dying process?
Death is one of the few experiences every human being shares, yet many of us know very little about what actually happens as someone approaches the end of their life. Whether you're supporting a loved one, planning ahead, or simply seeking understanding, learning about the dying process can help make what often feels frightening a little less mysterious.
Halloween: what it reveals about our relationship with death
Every year on 31 October, something rather strange happens: our homes fill with skeletons, ghosts appear in shop windows, gravestones emerge on front lawns. Children dress as zombies, vampires and witches. For one night, death is everywhere and nobody seems particularly troubled by it. The rest of the year tells a different story. Death can often feel like one of society's last taboos. So why does Halloween feel different?
Death Cafes explained: What to expect and why you should attend one
It’s no secret that death is a topic many of us avoid talking about. If you’re not sure where to start, a good place to begin can be your nearest death cafe. To someone who is perhaps reluctant to face their own mortality, or who simply sees death as a scary or depressing topic, the idea of a death cafe may not seem appealing. However, I can confirm that’s not the case – in fact, it’s actually a very uplifting experience.
Comedy and grief: Finding laughter in life’s darkest moments
For some of us, comedy can be a lifeline through life’s darkest moments. It could be in the form of books, podcasts, films, stand-up, or a much-loved sitcom. For guest blogger, Amy Jackson, stand-up comedy has been a love of hers since her teens, with her earliest favourites being the likes of Lee Evans and Russell Howard. In this blog, Amy explores the relationship between death and comedy, and why we use humour to cope with grief.
World Suicide Prevention Day: combating the stigma of suicide
Every year on 10 September, people around the world mark World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide remains a significant public health issue in the UK. Recent figures show that more than 7,000 people died by suicide across the UK in 2024, with men accounting for around three-quarters of those deaths. “Everything got on top of me and I tried to kill myself. I thought my kids would be better off without me." Brian, 50.
Grieving someone you’ve never met: Why celebrity deaths can feel so personal
With the deaths of Dolly Parton and Jim Curry dominating social media platforms, Amy Jackson reflects on why celebrity deaths can feel so personal and why grieving for someone you have never met may not be so weird.
Why are people still dying in ways they never wanted?
A new report from Compassion in Dying, Bridging the Gap: How to Ensure People's Decisions are Respected at the End of Life, has revealed a troubling reality: too many people in the UK are still dying in ways they explicitly said they did not want. Find out more.
Can you die of a broken heart?
For centuries, people have used the idea of a broken heart to describe overwhelming grief and loss. While it was once thought to be purely poetic, modern medicine suggests there may be more truth to the phrase than we once realised.
Burial or cremation? Understanding your options
When someone dies, one of the most significant decisions their family may need to make is how their body will be laid to rest. In the UK, cremation remains the most common choice, accounting for around 77% of funerals. There is no right or wrong answer. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both options can help you think about what feels right for you and your loved ones.
How much does a funeral cost?
Arranging a funeral is one of the most difficult responsibilities many people face. Alongside grief, families are often required to make practical decisions quickly, including choices about cost. In 2026, funeral expenses in the UK continue to rise, making it all the more important to understand what to expect and where the costs come from.
Mother language matters when people die – reflections of a hospice nurse
Agata Czerwińska, Dorothy House Specialist Nurse, has been practising palliative care for 25 years — initially in her home country of Poland, and later in the UK. Over the years, as a foreign healthcare professional delivering direct palliative care in the UK, she has observed how important it is for dying people to communicate in their mother tongue at the end of their lives. Here are her moving reflections.
More than “just a pet” - Why pet grief deserves to be taken seriously
Death is a part of life, not just for humans, but for animals too. To mark National Pet Day 2026, guest blogger, Amy Jackson asks why the death of a pet is so often overlooked. We’re quick to talk about how there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and how there is no such thing as a grief ‘hierarchy,’ but when it comes to the loss of a pet, those views can quickly change.
Assisted Dying: What's Next?
In Panorama's latest documentary, 'Assisted Dying: What's Next?', the BBC's medical editor, Fergus Walsh, talks to leading supporters and opponents, and visits a Dorothy House, a hospice near Bath, to talk to patients at the end of their lives. Will assisted dying ever happen in the UK, and how would it work if it did?
What to do when someone dies
When someone dies, it can be a very complicated and confusing time for next of kin. Not only is it deeply emotional, but there are practical steps that must take place. We’ve put together a helpful guide to the essential steps to make the process simple and straightforward.
Water cremation in the UK
Scotland is now the first part of the UK to introduce water cremation, with regulations approved and the option officially available from 2 March 2026. The Scottish Government has confirmed that funeral directors can now offer the process, and the first procedures are expected to take place this summer. For many, this may be the first time they have heard about water cremation. Here are our FAQs to help you understand how it works and why someone might choose it.
How Scrubs handles death and grief
One of the most talked about TV shows this spring is the return of the hit medical comedy, Scrubs, after being off our screens for the last 16 years. While billed as a comedy, Scrubs has never shied away from difficult topics, especially when it comes to death and dying. Throughout nine seasons, there are a handful of episodes that truly stand out when it comes to themes of death and grief. Discover our favourites.
Interview with a pathologist: what happens during a post-mortem examination
We were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to Chris Meehan, Consultant Histopathologist at the Royal United Hospital in Bath about his work on post-mortems. For some, the topic of autopsies is taboo; a subject too uncomfortable to approach. For others, it’s a fascinating, though slightly squeamish reality. So what are Chris’s thoughts on post-mortem and public perception?
Valentine’s Day: Sex, intimacy and relationships at the end of life
When someone is living with a terminal illness, nearly every part of life can shift, including how they feel about their body, their sexuality, and their relationships. Studies have shown that many patients nearing the end of their lives have expressed that sex and intimacy are essential to them; however, it is often overlooked by healthcare professionals and not commonly discussed.