Three quarters (77 per cent) of people believe that the NHS should make end-of-life care "more of a priority", a poll suggests.
And 53 per cent of 2,600 UK adults surveyed said they doubt the NHS would provide high quality care to them or someone close them who is dying, according to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The charity said that care for terminally ill patients "isn't working well enough".
Last week, health officials called on family members who have witnessed loved ones undergo the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway to share their experiences.
People who have seen family or friends on the end-of-life regime, which can involve withholding food and drink from terminally ill patients, have been being invited to put forward their thoughts to a review into use of the regime.
The review, chaired by crossbench peer Baroness Julia Neuberger, will hear evidence from patients, families and health professionals before reporting to ministers and the NHS Commissioning Board this summer.
Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care said: "We know that the provision of good quality end of life care varies greatly and that the end of life care system isn't working well enough for all. Clearly the public think the same.
"Marie Curie is calling for 'a change in thinking' about end-of-life care and for the introduction of free social care funding for those in the last six months of life.
"We are working to challenge policy makers and health professionals to work in a different way, ensuring they understand the real need and provision for people who are nearing the end of their lives.
"It is only by getting more people out of hospital and into more appropriate care that the Government will be able to meet the twin challenges of looking after more people for longer at much reduced cost."
