People more willing to discuss death in wake of pandemic – study

A post-pandemic poll on the UK population’s attitudes to life and death has found over a quarter are now more likely to discuss their final wishes and funeral plans with family.

This rises to nearly a third of over-55s and is even more prevalent for women (29%) than men (24%). As well as this, one in five (21%) say that they see death as less of a taboo topic and are more open to talking about it generally.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults, carried out by Remember A Charity, also found that 21% of people say that they are more likely to support charitable causes in their lifetime, and 19% want to leave the world a better place.

In more good news for charities, despite the cost-of-living crisis, one in eight people (12%) say they are now more likely to include a charitable gift in their will. The same proportion also said writing or updating a will is higher on their agenda.

While only 25% of all those surveyed (aged 18+) and 53% of the over 55s had a will prior to the pandemic, 6% say they have written their will since then. The main reason people give for not writing their will is that they just haven’t got round to it (18%). One in 10 respondents said that they feel that they don’t have enough assets to warrant writing one and a further 10% that they don’t know how to do it.

“People’s attitudes have changed since covid and, despite the challenges of the economic environment, it seems that the nation is even more driven to make a positive impact on the world we leave behind,” said Lucinda Frostick, Director at Remember A Charity, adding:

“It’s great to see growing appetite for legacy giving, particularly when it’s become such a vital income stream for so many charities. What’s more, with people becoming more comfortable discussing their final wishes and planning for the future, this knowledge makes it even easier for charities, solicitors and will writers to start those crucial legacy giving conversations.”

For more information about Remember A Charity, go to www.rememberacharity.org.uk.