Alan Hopgood and Molly Carlile have written the play to facilitate community conversations about death, grief and living. Starring in the play are Michelle Hall, Margaret Knight, Jenny Seedsman and Alan Hopgood.

Mr Hopgood has been one of Australia's leading playwrights since 1963, bringing us classic Australian stories such as 'The Big Men Fly' and the 'Golden Legion of Cleaning Women'.

In 1996, he published a book about surviving prostate cancer, which was then developed into the acclaimed play called 'For Better, For Worse'.

On June 10 at 4pm, Four Funerals in One Day - about a community nurse caring for her first dying patient - will be staged at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre.

"We know while the concepts of death and grief are difficult, this play travels through human emotions in an insightful manner which should inspire all who attend," East Grampians Health Service community nursing manager Jane Bourman Taylor said.

Mrs Bourman explained that the story is about Karen who is a community nurse caring for her first dying patient.

"Clarrie has had enough of being a burden on his family and wants to die now," she said.

"Vi is tired and bad tempered and wondering why she stays working in palliative care, particularly as she has her own problems at home.

"Sue is walking the fine line of acting as a mentor for junior staff and supporting a colleague who isn't coping."

Mrs Bourman wants to promote the concepts in the play to the community to give a better understanding of the process of life and death.

A light supper will be provided by EGHS Aged Care Auxiliary.

Tickets to the play, which includes supper, are $15 and are available by contacting Ararat Performing Arts Centre on 5352 2181 or through Trybooking.com. Contact Jane Bourman on 5352 9328 for further information.