It was his wish to die at home and, thanks to the support of the region's specialist palliative care team, his wife Marina and their children were able to honour that request.

During National Palliative Care Week his daughter, Rosanna Wallis, urged families to discuss end-of-life wishes with loved ones early on.

Mrs Wallis not only helped care for her father, who had advanced dementia, she also cared for her late husband Keith until he lost his battle with motor neurone disease just over 12 months ago.

"Many of Keith's family members had had MND, so we were well aware of what a wretched disease it was," she said.

"Early on in the disease he spoke openly with us about his wishes, which were to pass at home and not be resuscitated or have feeding tubes.

"And while as his carer, his wife and his soulmate, it was hard when that time came, we all worked together as a family and lovingly carried out his wishes. Throughout that time the palliative care team was just amazing - offering us the support, advice and equipment we needed."

The team was also on hand to help the family care for Mr Comacchio, who also wanted to be cared for, and to die, in his own home.

"Dad was a contract builder and he built this house and raised his family here, so at the end of his life he wanted to be within the safety and comfort of his own home and surroundings," Mrs Wallis said.

"The fact that his instructions and wishes have been followed now gives peace of mind to those left behind."

The theme for this year's palliative care awareness week is "Talking about death won't kill you".

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District palliative care clinical services manager Kay Cope said talking about things could help improve quality of life up to the time of death and may save unnecessary treatments.

"Specialist palliative care teams work to find out not only what people need, but what they want," Ms Cope said.

"It's a balance between the cost of a treatment and the benefits of it - surgery might give people more quantity of time but may impact on the quality of life.

"Palliative care specialists will talk to people about that choice - some people want to spend the last part of their life fighting, others want comfort measures."

Palliative Care Week was a good time to start conversations about the type of care people would like, and whether they'd like to receive that at home or in hospital.