dying

Even in the most painful circumstances, those who reconcile their relationships express the feeling of finishing well—their life fulfilled.

Death can teach us how to better live our lives.

Few today have been the primary caregiver to a dying loved one, even though dying at home is on the rise in the United States. Instead, many still die in medical facilities cared for by nursing staff, often alone or with family who fear the dying process and visit minimally. As a result, most people outside of medicine know very little about a dying body.

A 2018 review published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management raises concerning questions about whether 30 years of funding for advance care planning initiatives has been well spent.