1. Don't worry about pain

Help is available and pain is very manageable. We're very fortunate to have the medical technology we do.

2. It may be better not to die at home

Dying at home is often wished for but this may not be feasible (or desirable) if symptoms can't be managed, or if there are no family carers. Identify who could care for you and how. Your carer will need time off work to be with you, and support. Contact your GP and call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053 as starting points.

3. Ask yourself: if you were too ill to speak for yourself, who would you want to speak for you?

If you have a medical condition, take this person along to a meeting with your doctor to discuss advance plans. Start early and allow plenty of time, so that your own values can emerge and direct the process. Your doctor will appreciate this and want you to take an active part.

4. Drop your baggage

If you don't have a medical condition and death is just "an idea" (or even if you do have a medical condition) – just enjoy life and drop your baggage. Laugh more – you won't regret it.

5. You don't need to become spiritual because you're dying

If you have no idea how you got here, and that doesn't seem to bother you, then why be afraid of death? Stories that claim to tell you what's "on the other side" just create more confusion, at a time when that's the last thing people need.