Nearly two-thirds (60%) of adults, including a quarter of over-65s, are revealed to have not specified how their estate should be managed after their death, while, more than three-quarters (81%) are reported to have not written down any preference about the end of their lives regarding burial or cremation.

In addition, the research conducted by the Dying Matters Coalition suggests that many also fail to say whether they would opt to donate their organs and whether they would like to die in hospital or at home.

The survey also discovered that only 25% men and nearly 33% of women across England informed their near ones about their desired funeral arrangements.

GP Dr. Mayur Lakhani, who is Chairman of Dying Matters, said, "It goes against our instincts to talk about death, but we must overcome our reticence”.

The findings are reported to be published to highlight the launch of the first Dying Matters Awareness Week initiated with a view to encourage people to talk about their death issues with near and dear ones.