Death at Your Convenience

My doctoral study began with a question: what if choosing when to die became as commonplace – and as accessible – as a trip to the corner shop? As part of my practice-based doctoral research at the University of Falmouth’s School of Design, I have been investigating how design can ignite conversations around topics we typically avoid. In this instance, the focus is on something known as old age rational suicide. This term refers to older individuals who feel they have lived a complete life – or are simply weary of living – and wish to have the option to end their own life on their own terms. My research is part of a growing interest in the intersection of design and end of life interventions– including those of provocation.

The primary outcome of my doctoral research is a concept called Mortem Stores: a fictional “suicide shop” specifically designed for older adults. The prototype of this fictional store and its contents was unveiled at the Death x Design x Culture Conference in Falmouth, UK, in October 2024. The convenience store is not intended to be taken literally but rather as a means to provoke thought and discussion. The concept behind Mortem Stores is straightforward yet unsettling. While some older individuals might choose to end their lives independently, others might prefer a more supported, less distressing option—one that avoids the trauma of methods like hanging – both for themselves and for those they leave behind.

For some, the ideal scenario would involve medical assistance or access to medication that allows them to die peacefully. However, in the UK, this option is unavailable. Even if assisted dying laws were to change, they currently focus on individuals who are terminally ill. They do not consider older individuals who are not dying from a specific illness but feel their life is complete or are experiencing profound existential suffering. Mortem Stores poses the question: what about them? We are living in a world where people are living longer than ever before, while fewer people are being born. This demographic shift is reshaping society in significant ways – from healthcare systems to family structures to the economy.

However, a longer life does not necessarily equate to a better one. Many older adults encounter a range of challenges, including chronic pain, loss of independence, grief, loneliness, or cognitive decline. Some express a quieter yet equally profound sentiment—a feeling that their life is “complete,” as if they have reached a natural conclusion. For some, this results in a wish to die sooner rather than later.

In the UK, assisted dying is illegal. While surveys indicate strong support for assisted dying in cases of terminal illness, there is less public support for assisting those who are simply “tired of life.” . This discrepancy raises a crucial question: why are certain forms of suffering acknowledged, while others are not?

This is where design plays a crucial role. Instead of directly answering these questions, my research employs a method known as discursive design. Simply put, it involves creating objects that prompt people to think, question, and engage in dialogue. Rather than providing solutions, it creates a space for reflection. Mortem Stores exemplifies this approach. It resembles a typical corner shop, yet its purpose is far from ordinary. Inside, it showcases a variety of speculative products and services related to end-of-life choices. The experience is deliberately ambiguous – partly unsettling, partly thought-provoking. By placing something so controversial in such a commonplace setting, the project encourages individuals to confront their own assumptions.

How do we define a “good death”? Who has the authority to decide? Moreover, why are some choices deemed socially acceptable while others are not? What I have discovered is that this type of design can do more than provoke a reaction. It can initiate conversations that are often stifled before they even begin. People do not always agree—and that is precisely the point. The project highlights conflicting values, personal beliefs, and cultural attitudes regarding death and autonomy. It reveals the complexity and deep emotional nature of these issues.

More importantly, it demonstrates that design can serve a purpose beyond creating products or solving problems. It can act as a bridge between the public, policymakers, and institutions—helping us navigate challenging topics in innovative ways.

This is just the beginning. My ongoing work continues to explore how design can be utilised to engage with sensitive, under-discussed issues like this one. If nothing else, Mortem Stores aims to make one thing clear: conversations about how we die are just as important as those about how we live—and they deserve space, nuance, and attention.

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Biography

My name is Ian Walden and first and foremost, I am a designer and maker. By way of career, I have been a graphic designer, art director, and I am now a lecturer and educator.

Over my career, I have worked for large and small design agencies in multi disciplines, from technology, publishing through to branding and packaging, including brand strategy and management and also ran a successful brand and packaging agency and publishing company based in Falmouth.

I am a qualified university lecturer, working on the Graphic Design undergrad course at Falmouth University. I also provided bookbinding tuition to both undergrads and postgraduates across the school of communication.

I enjoy family life and live with my wife, son and our dog Otis in Falmouth. My interests include music, cooking, reading and collecting.

My PhD was supervised by Dr Robyn Cook and Dr Carolyn Shapiro at the University of Falmouth, and Dr Naomi Richards at the University of Glasgow.