LAURA CARTLEDGE: Organ donation is a tough topic we should opt in to talking about

It’s not a topic for the dining table.

And there never seems to be the right time between watching Grand Designs and QI.

In a country where default conversation turns to the weather, or what a publicity-crazed nobody has said on morning television about children’s names, there isn’t much time left for the important stuff.

Instead it is put on a high shelf out of harm’s way, or scheduled into news slots – which we can ignore or turn off.

But as sad, and inevitable, and hard it is, I really think death should be talked about.

Even if it is just once.

So you know, when the time comes, that it is ‘what they would have wanted’.

After all, I could never have predicted my uncle wants to be buried in a cardboard box.

While my partner is toying with the idea of taxidermy – so he can still be part of the party, or at least be a useful place to hang coats.

Which in my opinion might be taking ‘the last laugh’ a little too far.

Perhaps we feel that life is so fragile, even speaking about death is risky.

However with Wales giving the go-ahead to the opt-out organ donation scheme, it is a topic which is making the headlines.

The opt-out system will make a massive difference.

I know so many people who want to opt in but don’t want to risk upsetting their loved ones.

Organ donation is a very personal thing and not the answer for everyone.

Religious beliefs, family wishes and squeamishness levels all play a part.

But there is also no doubt in my mind that it is an amazing thing to do.

Figures are hard to understand, and people as numbers is even harder.

Currently in West Sussex 114 people are waiting for a transplant.

That’s 114 families living in hope that somewhere a difficult conversation has taken place.