PPF13 Empowering conversations: improving death literacy in district nursing through collaboration with funeral directors

<h3></h3> Death and dying are inevitable parts of community nursing practice, yet many staff report limited confidence in discussing post-death processes and funeral options with patients and families. National reports, including the Competition and Markets Authority (2020), highlight a lack of public awareness around funeral regulations and choices, while the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2022) emphasises the need for nurses to communicate sensitively and empower families during end-of-life care. This service evaluation aimed to improve ‘death literacy’ among district nurses across four teams within Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. A collaboration was established with a local funeral director, who co-facilitated educational sessions for staff. Pre- and post-session surveys assessed knowledge and confidence. Initial findings demonstrated that 72% of participants were unaware of the role of funeral directors beyond body collection, and 89% had received no prior training in funeral processes. Post-session, staff reported significantly improved understanding, increased confidence in discussing options with families, and a greater sense of professional empowerment. The project illustrates how creative interprofessional partnerships can break down taboos and enhance practice in palliative and bereavement care. By embedding evaluation within a continuous Plan–Do–Study–Act cycle, further sessions are being refined in response to staff feedback. This initiative has gained recognition from the Queen’s Nursing Institute and Nursing &amp; Midwifery Council, and was recently awarded ‘District Nursing Project of the Year’ at Manchester Metropolitan University. It demonstrates how innovation, collaboration, and education can prepare community nurses to support patients and families with compassion and clarity at the end of life.