50pc Brits fear the process of dying

London, May 18: Jade Goody's tragic end has made many people think about their own deaths, says a poll. The online poll of 1,018 adults in Britain commissioned for the public think-tank Theos found nearly half of women and a third of men admitting that the publicity surrounding Goody's death from cancer earlier this year made people think about the end of their own lives.

The findings also showed that half the population fears the process of dying.

The survey, carried out last month, also found that 20 per cent people fear both the way they will die and death itself with 30 per cent saying they fear the way they will die but not death itself.

The study also showed that 42 per cent of people aged 65 and over said their religious faith helps them to deal with the death of a loved one and prepare for their own death compared with only 23 per cent of 18-24 year olds.

"This research offers a useful insight into public attitudes regarding a highly personal and emotive subject," the Telegraph quoted Theos director Paul Woolley as saying.

"The different attitudes about death between age groups are especially striking. The fact that we are fearful of dying suggests we need to discuss it more.

"The proportion of people fearing death in society could be explained by the breakdown of an overarching religious narrative in the culture.

"It might also have something to do with the lack of experience people have in dealing with death," he added.

ANI