Next week is ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’, when hundreds of events are held across England and Wales to raise the importance of talking about death, dying and bereavement.

Locally, the Usk Castle Chase natural burial ground, between Raglan and Usk, will be open on Sunday afternoons throughout May and staff will be there to answer your questions and show you around.

According to James Leedam, director of Leedam Natural Burials, “The most important thing to remember when organising someone’s funeral is to do what’s right for you. Whether that’s a simple, burial or cremation without an organised ceremony, or a fully catered funeral event – it is important that you create what’s right for you and what you think is fitting for them.”

On Friday, May 12, Abergavenny Community Centre will be hosting a local event from 11am to 4pm.

This year the event asks ‘What can you do?’, with the aim of starting discussions about planning for dying and death and helping support those who may need it in times of grief and bereavement, be they friends, family or the wider community.