A Good Death

A Good Death

Recently, the National Institute of Health released a revised definition of a good death. You may recall that earlier in this series of articles (see www.dyingwithwisdom.com/dyingathome,) we talked about how to prepare for and manage dying at home, which is what most...
Physician-assisted Dying

Physician-assisted Dying

There are many names for medical aid in dying. It has been called “assisted suicide,” but these days, the preferred terms are “Physician-assisted dying” or “medically-assisted dying.”  The California legislature passed the End of...
Caretaking and Caretakers

Caretaking and Caretakers

This post describes the services offered by some local Santa Barbara care centers and suggests ways that people from other areas can find similar resources in their town or state. Finding the right support, using respite services carefully, and getting counseling are...
Disposition of the body: new ideas

Disposition of the body: new ideas

Not too long ago, when someone died, the body was either buried or cremated. There were no other choices. Today, the list of possibilities for the disposition of the body is growing at a fantastic pace for several reasons. Today, the cost of burial can be exceedingly...