'Living with Death' at Leeds City Museum, 03 May 2024 to 05 Jan 2025

Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH - Free entry

There can be few subjects as uncomfortable as death. We know that it affects everyone, but it is often difficult to talk about. Most people in modern Britain avoid thinking about their own death until the last moment. They put off making wills, they do not leave clear instructions about the sort of funeral they would like, and they rarely make long-term plans for their final years. The ‘business of death’ is professionalized and hidden away from society - behind the doors of funeral homes and crematoria.

This is is stark contrast to past generations - families had to take a more intimate approach to caring for the elderly and the dying, and to preparing the deceased for burial. People were encouraged to consider what a ‘good death’ would look like and be prepared to put their affairs in good order - to die in a right relationship with God and their neighbour, and to state how they wanted their possessions passed on.

Now Leeds City Museum has launched a new exhibition, called ‘Living with Death’, which invites visitors to explore the different ways people experience death, dying, and grief . ‘Living with Death’ looks at how humans have developed knowledge and skills in response to life ending. The exhibition hopes to gently encourage conversation through personal stories, and objects from across the world and throughout history. A series of talks, workshops, and family-friendly events will complement the exhibition throughout the year. The exhibition has been developed with input from local communities - including a couple of contributions from St Michael’s - and is supported by Dying Matters Leeds, part of a national initiative promoting public awareness of dying, death, and bereavement.

Please do visit the exhibition and to take time, whatever your age or state of health, to consider the questions it raises. What does it mean to have a ‘good death’ and how can we live well with death rather than avoiding it fearfully?