20 Best Books On Preparing For Death (2023 Update)

A vital roadmap to planning your own end-of-life care. – while modern americans strive to control nearly every aspect of their lives, many of us abandon control of life's final passage. or those decisions may be made for us. threading compelling real-life stories and practical guidance throughout, this book helps readers navigate end-of-life care for themselves and their loved ones. – in this practical guidebook, dr. dan morhaim and shelley morhaim offer readers hope, empowerment, and inspiration. dan morhaim, an emergency medicine physician and former maryland state legislator, guides readers through the medical, legal, and financial maze of end-of-life care. he details the care choices available to patients and explains why living wills and advance directives are a necessity for every american. he tells readers where to find free and readily available living wills and advance directives and why it is so important for everyone—young and old—to complete them. meanwhile, shelley morhaim draws on her experience as a therapeutic music practitioner for hospice and hospital patients to offer compassion to readers facing hard decisions. – the authors reflect on a number of timely topics, including – what doctors—including dr. morhaim specifically—want for themselves in terms of end-of-life care – how legislative initiatives on assisted dying vary by state – how to obtain medical orders for life-sustaining treatment (molst/polst) – how to deal with dementia – what to expect from palliative and hospice care – how to cope with pain at the end of life, including with medical cannabis and narcotics – how organ donation and body disposition work – how to communicate individual needs to lawyers, physicians, and family members – how to make decisions when selecting the best care for yourself and othersand more. – organized as a roadmap that people should follow when they plan end-of-life care and contingencies, this book helps readers keep decisions in their own hands and spare their families the uncertainty and trauma of guessing about their end-of-life wishes. breaking down the barriers to a difficult but essential topic, preparing for a better end helps readers open this often-avoided discussion with their loved ones while providing the information and guidance needed to ensure that deeply held values are reflected and honored. – praise for the author "in the better end, dr. morhaim helps the reader to see that while death does have its sting, it need not be bitter, and each of us can prepare for the end in better ways."—maya angelou "dan morhaim's message is a must read for anyone who is facing end-of-life crisis issues and concerns, whether it be for themselves or for a family member or loved one. when so many others shun away from the topic, dan morhaim addresses the situation with clarity, insight, and sensitivity."—montel williams

A new york times book critics’ top 10 book of the year “in its loving, fierce specificity, this book on how to die is also a blessedly saccharine-free guide for how to live” (the new york times). former nea fellow and pushcart prize-winning writer sallie tisdale offers a lyrical, thought-provoking, yet practical perspective on death and dying in advice for future corpses (and those who love them). informed by her many years working as a nurse, with more than a decade in palliative care, tisdale provides a frank, direct, and compassionate meditation on the inevitable. from the sublime (the faint sound of mozart as you take your last breath) to the ridiculous (lessons on how to close the sagging jaw of a corpse), tisdale leads us through the peaks and troughs of death with a calm, wise, and humorous hand. advice for future corpses is more than a how-to manual or a spiritual bible: it is a graceful compilation of honest and intimate anecdotes based on the deaths tisdale has witnessed in her work and life, as well as stories from cultures, traditions, and literature around the world. tisdale explores all the heartbreaking, beautiful, terrifying, confusing, absurd, and even joyful experiences that accompany the work of dying, including: a good death: what does it mean to die “a good death”? can there be more than one kind of good death? what can i do to make my death, or the deaths of my loved ones, good? communication: what to say and not to say, what to ask, and when, from the dying, loved ones, doctors, and more. last months, weeks, days, and hours: what you might expect, physically and emotionally, including the limitations, freedoms, pain, and joy of this unique time. bodies: what happens to a body after death? what options are available to me after my death, and how do i choose—and make sure my wishes are followed? grief: “grief is the story that must be told over and over… grief is the breath after the last one.” “sallie tisdale’s elegantly understated new book pretends to be a user’s guide when in fact it’s a profound meditation” (david shields, bestselling author of reality hunger).

With a foreword by sogyal rinpochechristine longaker's experience with death and care of the dying began in 1976 when her husband was diagnosed with acute leukemia at the age of twenty-four. since his death, she has devoted her life to ease the suffering of those facing death. in facing death and finding hope, she clearly and compassionately identifies the typical fears and struggles experienced by the dying and their families. the core of this book is presented in "four tasks of living and dying," using the tibetan buddhist perspective on death to provide a new framework of meaning. a book of great depth and grace, it is destined to become a classic in the literature on death and dying.

What is artificial intelligence (ai)? how does ai affect death matters and the digital beyond? how are death and dying handled in our digital age? ai for dying and death covers a broad range of literature, research and challenges around this topic. it explores ethical memorisation, digital legacies and bereavement, post death avatars and ai and the digital beyond. it also analyzes religious perspectives on ai for death and dying, and planning for death in a digital age.

"the experience of caring for a loved one through terminal illness and eventual loss can be incredibly isolating and emotionally overwhelming. no one dies alone offers accessible insights, practical tools, and personal stories to provide a sense of community, profound relief, and deep meaning for both caregiver and patient through illness, death, and bereavement.the first half of no one dies alone focuses on caregiving, while the second half focuses on the grieving process, including an entire chapter onhow to compassionately support the unique needs of children through the grieving process. each chapter is written to stand alone, allowing readers to reference any chapter and apply that information to their unique challenge"–

If life is a journey, there are few events as significant as birth, marriage and death. and so it is profoundly important to understand these events and their significance in the course of our lives. in a culture that often refuses to acknowledge death, timothy keller – brilliant theologian and bestselling author – brings to light the christian tradition of facing death and celebrating what comes after. with wisdom and compassion, keller teaches us to understand death through the lessons embedded within the bible. a short, powerful book, on death gives us the tools to understand the meaning of death within god's vision of life. 'a christian intellectual who takes on the likes of nietzsche, marx, and freud.' the wall street journal

'wise, beautiful, heartbreaking, raw' the times 'a beacon of hope to all of us who will be bereaved' kathryn mannix 'an unforgettable and achingly beautiful story of enduring love' lori gottleib internationally renowned psychiatrist and author irvin yalom has devoted his career to counselling those suffering from anxiety and grief. but never had he faced the need to counsel himself until his wife, esteemed feminist author marilyn yalom, was diagnosed with cancer. in a matter of death and life, marilyn and irvin share how they took on profound new struggles: marilyn to die a good death, irvin to live on without her. in alternating accounts of their last months together and irvin's first months alone, they offer us a rare window into coping with death and the loss of one's beloved. with the candour and wisdom of those who have thought deeply and loved well, they investigate universal questions of intimacy, love, and grief. informed by two lifetimes of experience, a matter of death and life offers poignant insights and solace to all those seeking to fight despair in the face of death, so that they can live meaningfully.

In this comprehensive manual, the author provides both the theoretical background and the practical treatment interventions necessary for working with those who are bereaved or dying.important topics such as anticipatory grief, postdeath mourning, and the stress of grief are described in detail. grief reactions, both normal and abnormal, as well as their causes are analyzed. special attention is given to grief caused by the death of a child or spouse, death by suicide, and children's grief.numerous exercises and case examples are included to help the caregiver recognize the highly individual processes of grief and dying, and to assess each patient's and family's unique situation.

The cofounder of the zen hospice project and pioneer behind the compassionate care movement shares an inspiring exploration of the lessons dying has to offer about living a fulfilling life. death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. she is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight, helping us to discover what matters most.life and death are a package deal. the five invitations is an exhilarating meditation on the meaning of life and how maintaining an ever-present consciousness of death can bring us closer to our truest selves. as a renowned teacher of compassionate caregiving and the cofounder of the zen hospice project, frank ostaseski has sat on the precipice of death with more than a thousand people. in the five invitations, he distills the lessons gleaned over the course of his career, offering an evocative and stirring guide that points to a radical path to transformation.the five invitations:-don’t wait-welcome everything, push away nothing-bring your whole self to the experience-find a place of rest in the middle of things-cultivate don’t know mindthese five invitations show us how to wake up fully to our lives. they can be understood as best practices for anyone coping with loss or navigating any sort of transition or crisis; they guide us toward appreciating life’s preciousness. awareness of death can be a valuable companion on the road to living well, forging a rich and meaningful life, and letting go of regret. the five invitations is a powerful and inspiring exploration of the essential wisdom dying has to impart to all of us.

Offers detailed descriptions of what happens to a body from trauma to burial, how autopsies are conducted, the paperwork involved in a death, and the laws that govern how bodies must be handled and buried.

One of the few things in life that's certain is deathand here's a realistic, practical, and even humorous book about preparing for it. from cremation ("making an ash of yourself") to funeral plans (? plan and plot your own demise”) to choosing executors and dealing with family relationships, media figure jo myers covers it all. it's sure to appeal to boomers caring for aging parents and anyone else who needs help approaching this not-so-easy-to-talk-about subject.

A personal exploration of mortality and death, the inevitable journey of human life, and the acceptance of faith. understanding death: the most important event of your life illustrates the need to prepare for this important moment, even though many ignore its inevitability. there is no escape from death and the grief that can consume one when faced by the loss of family and friends. the author's personal insight offers encouragement that death is not the end but the beginning of a new spiritual existence. author john hatcher surveys his own life, the decisions he has made over the years, and how those experiences have impacted him. he especially focuses on his discovery and exploration of the baha'i faith and his eventual acceptance of baha'u'llah's teachings. accepting that death is not the end, that there is another journey, and that there is time to accept the inevitable and prepare for the life hereafter can bring peace and comfort to all.

One of the few things in life that's certain is deathand here's a realistic, practical, and even humorous book about preparing for it. from cremation ("making an ash of yourself") to funeral plans (? plan and plot your own demise”) to choosing executors and dealing with family relationships, media figure jo myers covers it all. it's sure to appeal to boomers caring for aging parents and anyone else who needs help approaching this not-so-easy-to-talk-about subject.

Dr deepak chopra, the world-famous pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, addresses one of the fundamental questions of existence. drawing upon personal experience, the wisdom of ancient vedic philosophy and state-of-the-art particle physics, chopra

From the former editor of liguorian magazine comes this thoughtful compilation of selections from saint alphonsus liguori. he is a favorite among spiritual seekers for years, he guides readers on a journey of knowledge focusing not on the end of life, but on the beginning of the spiritual afterlife.preparation for death offers encouraging insights into facing death without fear through faith in god's eternal plan for us. an illuminating guide for those preparing for the spiritual transition in death.paperback

Discover insights about coping with life's most feared mystery.this book will help anyone who is interested in learning more about death, coping with a loss, approaching death, or explaining death to a child. it is an exploratory journey that includes multiple viewpoints, including steve jobs's embrace of his death, ray kurzweil's striving for immortality, and joseph campbell's view of death as the "ornament of life." the book looks at death from the perspectives of atheists, christians, and tibetan buddhists, among many others. interestingly, it considers the often unexplored aspects such as the curious relationship between death and ayahuasca. it is a guidebook, offering insights and comfort on a topic that many find frightening or macabre. the author grew up with a skeleton in his living room, and surrounded by other symbols of death. his unusual upbringing makes him uniquely qualified to serve as guide. as you join him in discovering more about death, you will find yourself enjoying a fuller life. highlights of what you will learn: theories from great contemporary minds. spiritual insights scientific discoveries. personal reflections.

Theresa caputo, the star of tlc’s long island medium and new york times bestselling author, provides a guide to overcoming grief, filled with inspiring lessons from spirit and astonishing stories from the clients who have been empowered and healed by her spiritual readings.after more than a decade of being a practicing medium, theresa caputo shares the powerful lessons she has learned about grief, healing, and finding happiness in the wake of tragedy. in almost every reading she gives, spirit insists that people begin to embrace their lives again. but not everyone knows where to start, and putting back together the pieces of a life marked by loss is never easy. sometimes, you need spiritual guidance—and that’s where theresa comes in. with her energetic, positive, and encouraging tone, theresa uses the lessons from spirit to guide you through grief toward a place of solace and healing. each lesson is grounded in her clients’ experiences of losing loved ones, their encounters with spirit during readings, and the ways in which they’ve been able to heal and grow. each chapter is filled with activities to help you find your “new normal”—including journaling, individual and group exercises, meditations, and moments of reflection—based on the truths that theresa has gathered from spirit. good grief—“an excellent resource for those who wish to be in communication with deceased loved ones” (library journal)—will help you to feel stronger and more optimistic about what the future has in store for you.

An insightful collection of teachings about death and dying to help face life's greatest mystery calmly and with equanimity.lifetimes of effort go into organizing, designing, and structuring every aspect of our lives, but how many people are willing to contemplate the inevitability of death? although dying is an essential part of life, it is an uncomfortable topic that most people avoid. renowned author and teacher dzongsar jamyang khyentse responds to the most common questions he's been asked about death and dying–exploring how one prepares for death, what to say to a loved one who is dying, and prayers and practices to use as a handhold when approaching the unknown territory of death. whether you are facing death today or decades from now, preparing for it can help to allay your worst fears and help you appreciate what it means to be truly alive.

This easy-to-complete book is an excellent place to gather all the useful information your friends or family will need once you've gone. having a will is the most important thing you can do to help loved ones left behind. this book comes a close second! everything from bank account numbers, to the songs you'd like played at your funeral. from insurance details to what you want done with your possessions once you no longer need them. make life easier for those you leave behind. they will certainly appreciate it – especially, as in their grief at your passing, they are likely to overlook important details.

This easy-to-complete book is an excellent place to gather all the useful information your friends or family will need once you've gone. having a will is the most important thing you can do to help loved ones left behind. this book comes a close second! everything from bank account numbers, to the songs you'd like played at your funeral. from insurance details to what you want done with your possessions once you no longer need them. make life easier for those you leave behind. they will certainly appreciate it – especially, as in their grief at your passing, they are likely to overlook important details.