Knowing how her dying husband wanted to spend his final days gave Rosanna Wallis peace of mind and a chance to celebrate their life together.

Mrs Wallis cared for husband Keith, who suffered motor neurone disease, for a number of years until his passing a year ago. She and her mother Marina also cared for her father, Carlo Comacchio. He had advanced dementia and died earlier this month.

Mrs Wallis said her husband and eldest son had a good conversation about what Keith wanted to do when it came close to the end.

"Keith had decided years before that he wanted to pass at home," the Mount Pleasant resident said.

"We made sure that was what happened and wouldn't take no for an answer. We all worked together as a family and lovingly carried out Keith's wishes. He would be so proud."

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is using National Palliative Care Week this week (May 24-30) to raise awareness about the importance of having early discussions with loved ones about their wishes for their end of life. The 2015 theme is Talking About Death Won't Kill You.

ISLHD palliative care clinical services manager Kay Cope said discussing what's important can improve people's living right up to the time they die and may save unnecessary treatments.

"Many people receiving palliative care speak about this as a time when they come face-to-face with what is really important to them," Ms Cope said.

Sadly many families were reluctant to have the "difficult" conversations but those that did felt empowered to honour their loved ones' wishes.

Mrs Wallis said when her husband was first diagnosed with MND, he fell into a slump.

"This wasn't him though; we just had to get his fight back," she said.

"He loved his work, he loved to travel and it was up to us all to see how we could help him."

"We bought a light portable wheelchair and off we went around Australia. We took several overseas holidays too and the family has so many happy memories as a result. We fell in love all over again," she said.