The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life

This title joins a growing number of books emphasizing the importance of death planning. Death doula O’Brien (Creating Positive Passings) has witnessed many deaths in her career. She states correctly that many contemporary societies have a flawed relationship with death and that planning for one’s inevitable demise is a gift to family members. Her book presents advice on how to plan for death that can provide peace of mind to everyone involved in an end-of-life situation. It offers information to family caregivers on providing compassionate home hospice care while avoiding burnout and what to expect during the dying process. In addition to addressing the medical aspects of dying, O’Brien includes guidelines on how to prepare for the practicalities of death, such as burial choices, funeral planning, and obituary writing. She also discusses fundamental financial and legal topics associated with death planning, including wills, advanced directives, trusts, and more. The book includes helpful downloadable handouts and exercises to facilitate particular tasks.