Last orders

Sir, – Elizabeth Twomey Duggan (Letters, December 19th) bemoans the use of euphemisms for death and dying. I agree, but I feel more strongly that the reluctance in some families to allow older people to refer to their inevitable demise is more of a problem.

I am fortunate that my family members accept that there are times when I want to ask them to do certain things which they might consider minor after my death.

We don’t need in-depth discussions and there is nothing morbid in this but it is a comfort to me to know they will remember my requests instead of dismissing the subject.

Talking about it will not hasten the inevitable. – Yours, etc,