Category Archives: Facing Death

The Way We Die Now/Choosing Wisely

This is a book for someone who wants a clear eyed, honest assessment of western medical practices around terminal illness. Dr. O’Mahony believes we are mostly starry eyed when we talk of a good death. In his practice, he seldoms … Continue reading

Facing Death

How Do You Tell Your Children?

There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Winnie the Pooh How in the world do you tell your children you might die? Waiting in … Continue reading

Facing Death

I Am a Little Church

One of the exercises we did in the “A Year to Live” class (see entry this section) was select a poem that spoke our feelings about our own death, a poem to be read at our funeral. I was going … Continue reading

Facing Death

Green Burial

Updated 4/2016 After a huge leap to face death, what naturally emerges is: well, how will I be buried? There is a wonderful movement right now trying to help us change the way we die and how our body will … Continue reading

Facing Death

A Year To Live

  One of my failings is a tendency to take the easy way. Many years ago I read the book A Year to Live by Stephen Levine, a true, profound book. At the end of each chapter were exercises to … Continue reading

Facing Death

Dying is Just What We Do

This clip is from a film, released in 2014 titled Death Makes Life Possible. I found this on Dr. Marilyn Schlitz’s website and an interview she gave called End Of Life University. You gotta’ smile, don’t you? Here is a link to … Continue reading

Facing Death

Death Cafe

So. Death Cafe. At this point, you may be thinking how much more morbid can she get? And actually, morbid is the right word. I looked it up and it simply means death. So I guess talking about death is, … Continue reading

Facing Death

How to Have A Good Death Under Hospice Care

Updated 8/16 Updated 12/2014 My mother lived with us for the last few years of her life. When she felt herself weakening and knew her dying process was beginning, she chose Mt. Hood Hospice for her final six months. I … Continue reading

Facing Death

Grief: Counter-Cultural Advice

Updated 5/17 It is not unusal at all for the person who is ill or the family and friends that surround the patient to have some profound grief. Sometimes this is called anticipatory grief, because death has not come, yet … Continue reading

Facing Death

Gettting Your House in Order

I believe the kindest, most thoughtful thing anyone can do for their loved ones is to get their house in order. My mother was supremely organized. Before she died, she had everything I could possibly need in an accordion folder; … Continue reading

Facing Death