Bibliography
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Atul Gawande — Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt (2014)
Gawande examines how modern medicine excels at curing disease yet often falters when life is waning. Through patient stories and family experience, he shows how the drive to extend life can undermine autonomy, comfort, and meaning. He argues for honest conversations, goals-of-care planning, and systems that prioritize what matters most to individuals near the end.
Cafés Mortels*
Bernard Crettaz — Editions Labor et Fides (2010)
Crettaz chronicles the creation of “death cafés,” open gatherings where strangers talk frankly about mortality. He explores the cultural taboos that keep death hidden and the relief people feel when it’s named and shared. The book blends sociology, reflection, and practical experience to normalize communal dialogue about dying.
Dying Unafraid*
Fran Moreland Johns — Synergistic Press (1999)
Johns shares true stories of people approaching life’s end, illuminating the emotional, ethical, and spiritual choices they face. She highlights hospice, palliative care, and personal autonomy, including debates around assisted dying. The aim is to help readers approach mortality with clarity and less fear.
Easy Death: Spiritual Wisdom on the Ultimate Transcending of Death and Everything Else*
Adi Da Samraj — Dawn Horse Press (2005)
Drawing from his spiritual teachings, Adi Da presents death as an opportunity for awakening rather than a catastrophe. The book offers contemplative perspectives, practices, and accounts intended to reduce fear and cultivate equanimity. It situates dying within a larger path of consciousness and liberation.
Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life*
Jessica Nutik Zitter — Avery Press (2017)
ICU and palliative physician Zitter reveals how medical culture often defaults to aggressive treatment even when burdens outweigh benefits. Through patient narratives, she illustrates the gap between what’s possible and what’s actually wanted. She advocates for earlier conversations, shared decision-making, and care that aligns with values.
Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying*
Derek Humphry — Dell Publishing (2002)
This controversial book discusses the right-to-die movement and information sought by terminally ill adults considering hastening death. It addresses ethical and legal landscapes and has influenced public debate for decades. Critics argue about risks and morality, while supporters emphasize autonomy and relief of suffering; the text remains a flashpoint in end-of-life discourse.
Get It Together: Organize Your Records so Your Family Won’t Have to (8th Ed.)*
Melanie Cullen — Nolo (2018)
A practical workbook that guides you to centralize documents, accounts, passwords, and wishes. It covers legal, financial, medical, and household details so survivors aren’t left searching. Step-by-step checklists and forms make planning manageable and less overwhelming.
Going Out Green: One Man’s Adventure Planning His Own Burial*
Bob Butz — Mission Point Press (2018)
Butz narrates his personal dive into green burial—from research to logistics to why it felt right. Along the way, he explains environmental benefits, legalities, and options like conservation cemeteries. The memoir-demonstration mix demystifies planning a simple, earth-friendly goodbye.
Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old
John Leland — FSG Adult; Reprint (2019)
Journalist John Leland spends a year with New Yorkers aged 85+, discovering how purpose and relationships shape well-being. The elders’ resilience reframes assumptions about aging and decline. Their stories offer practical wisdom on gratitude, adaptation, and meaning at any age.
How to Say Goodbye: The Wisdom of Hospice Caregivers
Wendy McNaughton — Bloomsbury Publishing (2023)
Through illustrations and conversations with hospice workers, McNaughton distills what helps at the end of life. Caregivers share insights on listening, presence, symptom relief, and honoring rituals. The result is a compassionate field guide for families navigating goodbye.
How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter
Sherwin B. Nuland — Alfred A. Knopf (1994)
Surgeon Nuland explains how bodies typically fail—organ by organ—with unflinching clarity. He challenges romanticized notions of death, advocating for realism and dignity. The book became a classic for demystifying the biology and experience of dying.
I’ll Have It My Way: Taking Control of End-of-Life Decisions*
Hattie Bryant — Deep River Books (2015)
Bryant urges readers to define and document their care preferences before crisis hits. She explains documents like advance directives and POLST and how to talk with loved ones and clinicians. The tone is practical and empowering, emphasizing personal agency.
I’m Dead. Now What? Important Information about My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes*
Peter Pauper Press (undated planner)
A fill-in organizer for after-death details—accounts, contacts, passwords, valuables, and final wishes. It’s designed to spare family the stress of guesswork during grief. Simple prompts make it easy to complete and update over time.
In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss*
Amy Bloom — Random House (2022)
Bloom recounts her husband Brian’s diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s and their decision to pursue an assisted death abroad. The memoir intertwines love story, caregiving, and the ethics of choice. It’s intimate, candid, and unsparing about the costs of both illness and autonomy.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children
Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen — Bantam Books (1983)
Using gentle language and natural cycles, this classic helps children understand that every living thing has a beginning and an end. It avoids euphemisms and offers calm reassurance. The illustrations and clear structure make hard conversations easier for families.
Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and Their Supporters*
Lonny Shavelson — American Clinicians Academy of Medical Aid in Dying (2022)
Written by a clinician experienced in MAID, this guide explains eligibility, processes, and roles of patients and supporters. It addresses communication with healthcare teams and practical planning. The focus is informed, compassionate decision-making within legal frameworks.
Melting Into Sweetness: Tools for Aging Gently and Dying Gladly
David Colin Carr & Douglas Cyr — Dimension Press (2023)
Carr and Cyr offer practices—emotional, relational, and contemplative—for embracing aging and meeting death with ease. They emphasize community, forgiveness, and presence as daily tools. Stories and exercises encourage readers to cultivate gentleness toward themselves and others.
Navigating Life’s Final Journey: Conversations, Choices, Resources*
Patricia O’Connor — Patocwriter.com (2022)
A straightforward guide to discussing, documenting, and coordinating end-of-life care. It covers communication with family, legal documents, hospice, and practical resources. O’Connor’s checklists and prompts help readers turn intentions into action.
On Living*
Kerry Egan — Riverhead Books (2016)
Hospice chaplain Kerry Egan reflects on lessons learned at the bedsides of the dying. Rather than theology, she shares human stories about love, regret, forgiveness, and meaning. The book invites readers to live more intentionally now.
Peaceful Transitions: Stories of Success and Compassion (2nd Ed.)*
Stanley A. Terman — Life Transitions Publications (2011)
Terman presents case studies showing how careful planning can prevent unwanted treatment and honor values. He explains tools like advance directives and “Informed Consent” in complex scenarios. The emphasis is on foresight, communication, and compassionate outcomes.
Sacred Death: 25 Tools for Caregivers*
Hemali V. Vora — Brave Healer Productions (2021)
Vora offers practical and spiritual tools to support the dying and their families. The “tools” range from presence and breathwork to cultural sensitivity and ritual. It’s a compact handbook to bring steadiness and sacred attention to care.
The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life*
Katy Butler — Scribner (2019)
Butler maps the stages of aging—from healthy to frail to dying—and what to prioritize at each step. She details navigating the medical system, avoiding overtreatment, and strengthening support networks. Her guidance centers on clarity, comfort, and control.
The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America
Anita Hannig — Sourcebooks (2022)
Anthropologist Hannig reports from clinics, homes, and advocacy groups to depict MAID’s realities in U.S. states where it’s legal. She examines moral tensions, bureaucratic hurdles, and the lived experiences of patients and clinicians. The book is empathetic reportage, not advocacy, illuminating complexities on the ground.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages
Leo Buscaglia — Holt, Rinehart, and Winston (1982)
Through the seasons of a leaf named Freddie, Buscaglia gently introduces life’s cycle and the meaning of death. The parable’s simplicity invites discussion across ages. It’s often used by families and educators to open tender conversations.
The Healing Hand: 5 Discussions to Have with the Dying Who Are Living*
Sue Knight Deutsch — Handutch Press (2014)
Deutsch outlines five key conversations—about life review, relationships, fears, hopes, and legacy. She offers prompts and guidance for family, friends, and volunteers. The focus is compassionate listening that eases suffering and affirms personhood.
The Inevitable: Dispatches on the Right to Die*
Katie Engelhart — St. Martin’s Press (2021)
Engelhart profiles people seeking control over death and the activists, doctors, and critics around them. She explores legal, ethical, and cultural battlegrounds across countries and cases. The narrative is probing and ambivalent, resisting easy answers.
The Peaceful Pill Handbook (Amazon Edition 2022)
Philip Nitschke & Fiona Stewart — Exit International (2022)
A polarizing reference work about end-of-life choices, written for competent adults and focused on legal contexts across jurisdictions. It surveys laws, access issues, and safety considerations while discussing controversial options at a high level. The book sits at the center of ongoing debates about autonomy, risk, and public health.
The VSED Handbook: A Practical Guide to Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking*
Kate Christie — Second Growth Books (2022)
Christie explains VSED as a legally permitted option for some adults seeking to hasten death, detailing preparation, symptom management, and caregiver roles. She emphasizes careful assessment, support, and clear documentation of wishes. Real-life accounts and checklists make the guide pragmatic and humane.
There at the End: Voices from the Final Exit Network, A Celebration of 20 Years*
Jim Van Buskirk, Ed. — Final Exit Network (2024)
This anthology collects reflections from members and supporters of a right-to-die organization. Essays describe advocacy, case experiences, and the evolution of the movement. Together they highlight tensions between compassion, autonomy, and law.
Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing*
J. Dietrich Stroeh & Bill Meagher — Folkheart Press (2012)
Stroeh recounts caring for his wife during her final illness, capturing the chaos, love, and learning of caregiving. The narrative includes medical navigation, emotional upheaval, and moments of grace. It’s a tribute to partnership and a practical window into what caregivers face.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson (20th Anniversary Edition)
Mitch Albom — Crown; Anniversary/Reprint (2002)
Albom reconnects with his former professor Morrie Schwartz, visiting weekly to talk about life, love, work, and loss. As Morrie’s ALS advances, their conversations become lessons in purposeful living. The memoir is tender, accessible, and widely used as an entry point to end-of-life reflection.
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking: A Compassionate, Wisely Available Option for Hastening Death*
Timothy E. Quill, Paul T. Menzel, Thaddeus M. Pope, & Judith K. Schwarz — Oxford University Press (2021)
Leading clinicians and ethicists analyze VSED’s clinical course, ethics, and policy. They argue for careful, compassionate availability with safeguards and oversight. Case studies and protocols guide healthcare teams and families through real-world complexities.
When My Time Comes: Conversations About Whether Those Who Are Dying Should Have the Right to Determine When Life Should End*
Diane Rehm — Alfred A. Knopf (2020)
Broadcaster Diane Rehm interviews patients, clinicians, clergy, and advocates about medical aid in dying. The dialogues surface moral disagreements and shared concerns about suffering and control. Rehm offers a thoughtful forum rather than a single prescription, inviting readers to think for themselves.
Will the Circle be Unbroken: Reflections on Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith*
Studs Terkel — The New Press (2021)
An oral history that explores how people from many walks of life understand death, loss, and the meaning of life. Through interviews with doctors, activists, clergy, parents, and ordinary individuals, Terkel reveals a wide range of perspectives on grief, resilience, and the human spirit. The book ultimately becomes a meditation on how communities and individuals find continuity and hope in the face of mortality.
*Denotes titles in the End of Life Concerns Club library
Atul Gawande — Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt (2014)
Gawande examines how modern medicine excels at curing disease yet often falters when life is waning. Through patient stories and family experience, he shows how the drive to extend life can undermine autonomy, comfort, and meaning. He argues for honest conversations, goals-of-care planning, and systems that prioritize what matters most to individuals near the end.
Cafés Mortels*
Bernard Crettaz — Editions Labor et Fides (2010)
Crettaz chronicles the creation of “death cafés,” open gatherings where strangers talk frankly about mortality. He explores the cultural taboos that keep death hidden and the relief people feel when it’s named and shared. The book blends sociology, reflection, and practical experience to normalize communal dialogue about dying.
Dying Unafraid*
Fran Moreland Johns — Synergistic Press (1999)
Johns shares true stories of people approaching life’s end, illuminating the emotional, ethical, and spiritual choices they face. She highlights hospice, palliative care, and personal autonomy, including debates around assisted dying. The aim is to help readers approach mortality with clarity and less fear.
Easy Death: Spiritual Wisdom on the Ultimate Transcending of Death and Everything Else*
Adi Da Samraj — Dawn Horse Press (2005)
Drawing from his spiritual teachings, Adi Da presents death as an opportunity for awakening rather than a catastrophe. The book offers contemplative perspectives, practices, and accounts intended to reduce fear and cultivate equanimity. It situates dying within a larger path of consciousness and liberation.
Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life*
Jessica Nutik Zitter — Avery Press (2017)
ICU and palliative physician Zitter reveals how medical culture often defaults to aggressive treatment even when burdens outweigh benefits. Through patient narratives, she illustrates the gap between what’s possible and what’s actually wanted. She advocates for earlier conversations, shared decision-making, and care that aligns with values.
Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying*
Derek Humphry — Dell Publishing (2002)
This controversial book discusses the right-to-die movement and information sought by terminally ill adults considering hastening death. It addresses ethical and legal landscapes and has influenced public debate for decades. Critics argue about risks and morality, while supporters emphasize autonomy and relief of suffering; the text remains a flashpoint in end-of-life discourse.
Get It Together: Organize Your Records so Your Family Won’t Have to (8th Ed.)*
Melanie Cullen — Nolo (2018)
A practical workbook that guides you to centralize documents, accounts, passwords, and wishes. It covers legal, financial, medical, and household details so survivors aren’t left searching. Step-by-step checklists and forms make planning manageable and less overwhelming.
Going Out Green: One Man’s Adventure Planning His Own Burial*
Bob Butz — Mission Point Press (2018)
Butz narrates his personal dive into green burial—from research to logistics to why it felt right. Along the way, he explains environmental benefits, legalities, and options like conservation cemeteries. The memoir-demonstration mix demystifies planning a simple, earth-friendly goodbye.
Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old
John Leland — FSG Adult; Reprint (2019)
Journalist John Leland spends a year with New Yorkers aged 85+, discovering how purpose and relationships shape well-being. The elders’ resilience reframes assumptions about aging and decline. Their stories offer practical wisdom on gratitude, adaptation, and meaning at any age.
How to Say Goodbye: The Wisdom of Hospice Caregivers
Wendy McNaughton — Bloomsbury Publishing (2023)
Through illustrations and conversations with hospice workers, McNaughton distills what helps at the end of life. Caregivers share insights on listening, presence, symptom relief, and honoring rituals. The result is a compassionate field guide for families navigating goodbye.
How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter
Sherwin B. Nuland — Alfred A. Knopf (1994)
Surgeon Nuland explains how bodies typically fail—organ by organ—with unflinching clarity. He challenges romanticized notions of death, advocating for realism and dignity. The book became a classic for demystifying the biology and experience of dying.
I’ll Have It My Way: Taking Control of End-of-Life Decisions*
Hattie Bryant — Deep River Books (2015)
Bryant urges readers to define and document their care preferences before crisis hits. She explains documents like advance directives and POLST and how to talk with loved ones and clinicians. The tone is practical and empowering, emphasizing personal agency.
I’m Dead. Now What? Important Information about My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes*
Peter Pauper Press (undated planner)
A fill-in organizer for after-death details—accounts, contacts, passwords, valuables, and final wishes. It’s designed to spare family the stress of guesswork during grief. Simple prompts make it easy to complete and update over time.
In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss*
Amy Bloom — Random House (2022)
Bloom recounts her husband Brian’s diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s and their decision to pursue an assisted death abroad. The memoir intertwines love story, caregiving, and the ethics of choice. It’s intimate, candid, and unsparing about the costs of both illness and autonomy.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children
Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen — Bantam Books (1983)
Using gentle language and natural cycles, this classic helps children understand that every living thing has a beginning and an end. It avoids euphemisms and offers calm reassurance. The illustrations and clear structure make hard conversations easier for families.
Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and Their Supporters*
Lonny Shavelson — American Clinicians Academy of Medical Aid in Dying (2022)
Written by a clinician experienced in MAID, this guide explains eligibility, processes, and roles of patients and supporters. It addresses communication with healthcare teams and practical planning. The focus is informed, compassionate decision-making within legal frameworks.
Melting Into Sweetness: Tools for Aging Gently and Dying Gladly
David Colin Carr & Douglas Cyr — Dimension Press (2023)
Carr and Cyr offer practices—emotional, relational, and contemplative—for embracing aging and meeting death with ease. They emphasize community, forgiveness, and presence as daily tools. Stories and exercises encourage readers to cultivate gentleness toward themselves and others.
Navigating Life’s Final Journey: Conversations, Choices, Resources*
Patricia O’Connor — Patocwriter.com (2022)
A straightforward guide to discussing, documenting, and coordinating end-of-life care. It covers communication with family, legal documents, hospice, and practical resources. O’Connor’s checklists and prompts help readers turn intentions into action.
On Living*
Kerry Egan — Riverhead Books (2016)
Hospice chaplain Kerry Egan reflects on lessons learned at the bedsides of the dying. Rather than theology, she shares human stories about love, regret, forgiveness, and meaning. The book invites readers to live more intentionally now.
Peaceful Transitions: Stories of Success and Compassion (2nd Ed.)*
Stanley A. Terman — Life Transitions Publications (2011)
Terman presents case studies showing how careful planning can prevent unwanted treatment and honor values. He explains tools like advance directives and “Informed Consent” in complex scenarios. The emphasis is on foresight, communication, and compassionate outcomes.
Sacred Death: 25 Tools for Caregivers*
Hemali V. Vora — Brave Healer Productions (2021)
Vora offers practical and spiritual tools to support the dying and their families. The “tools” range from presence and breathwork to cultural sensitivity and ritual. It’s a compact handbook to bring steadiness and sacred attention to care.
The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life*
Katy Butler — Scribner (2019)
Butler maps the stages of aging—from healthy to frail to dying—and what to prioritize at each step. She details navigating the medical system, avoiding overtreatment, and strengthening support networks. Her guidance centers on clarity, comfort, and control.
The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America
Anita Hannig — Sourcebooks (2022)
Anthropologist Hannig reports from clinics, homes, and advocacy groups to depict MAID’s realities in U.S. states where it’s legal. She examines moral tensions, bureaucratic hurdles, and the lived experiences of patients and clinicians. The book is empathetic reportage, not advocacy, illuminating complexities on the ground.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages
Leo Buscaglia — Holt, Rinehart, and Winston (1982)
Through the seasons of a leaf named Freddie, Buscaglia gently introduces life’s cycle and the meaning of death. The parable’s simplicity invites discussion across ages. It’s often used by families and educators to open tender conversations.
The Healing Hand: 5 Discussions to Have with the Dying Who Are Living*
Sue Knight Deutsch — Handutch Press (2014)
Deutsch outlines five key conversations—about life review, relationships, fears, hopes, and legacy. She offers prompts and guidance for family, friends, and volunteers. The focus is compassionate listening that eases suffering and affirms personhood.
The Inevitable: Dispatches on the Right to Die*
Katie Engelhart — St. Martin’s Press (2021)
Engelhart profiles people seeking control over death and the activists, doctors, and critics around them. She explores legal, ethical, and cultural battlegrounds across countries and cases. The narrative is probing and ambivalent, resisting easy answers.
The Peaceful Pill Handbook (Amazon Edition 2022)
Philip Nitschke & Fiona Stewart — Exit International (2022)
A polarizing reference work about end-of-life choices, written for competent adults and focused on legal contexts across jurisdictions. It surveys laws, access issues, and safety considerations while discussing controversial options at a high level. The book sits at the center of ongoing debates about autonomy, risk, and public health.
The VSED Handbook: A Practical Guide to Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking*
Kate Christie — Second Growth Books (2022)
Christie explains VSED as a legally permitted option for some adults seeking to hasten death, detailing preparation, symptom management, and caregiver roles. She emphasizes careful assessment, support, and clear documentation of wishes. Real-life accounts and checklists make the guide pragmatic and humane.
There at the End: Voices from the Final Exit Network, A Celebration of 20 Years*
Jim Van Buskirk, Ed. — Final Exit Network (2024)
This anthology collects reflections from members and supporters of a right-to-die organization. Essays describe advocacy, case experiences, and the evolution of the movement. Together they highlight tensions between compassion, autonomy, and law.
Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing*
J. Dietrich Stroeh & Bill Meagher — Folkheart Press (2012)
Stroeh recounts caring for his wife during her final illness, capturing the chaos, love, and learning of caregiving. The narrative includes medical navigation, emotional upheaval, and moments of grace. It’s a tribute to partnership and a practical window into what caregivers face.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson (20th Anniversary Edition)
Mitch Albom — Crown; Anniversary/Reprint (2002)
Albom reconnects with his former professor Morrie Schwartz, visiting weekly to talk about life, love, work, and loss. As Morrie’s ALS advances, their conversations become lessons in purposeful living. The memoir is tender, accessible, and widely used as an entry point to end-of-life reflection.
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking: A Compassionate, Wisely Available Option for Hastening Death*
Timothy E. Quill, Paul T. Menzel, Thaddeus M. Pope, & Judith K. Schwarz — Oxford University Press (2021)
Leading clinicians and ethicists analyze VSED’s clinical course, ethics, and policy. They argue for careful, compassionate availability with safeguards and oversight. Case studies and protocols guide healthcare teams and families through real-world complexities.
When My Time Comes: Conversations About Whether Those Who Are Dying Should Have the Right to Determine When Life Should End*
Diane Rehm — Alfred A. Knopf (2020)
Broadcaster Diane Rehm interviews patients, clinicians, clergy, and advocates about medical aid in dying. The dialogues surface moral disagreements and shared concerns about suffering and control. Rehm offers a thoughtful forum rather than a single prescription, inviting readers to think for themselves.
Will the Circle be Unbroken: Reflections on Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith*
Studs Terkel — The New Press (2021)
An oral history that explores how people from many walks of life understand death, loss, and the meaning of life. Through interviews with doctors, activists, clergy, parents, and ordinary individuals, Terkel reveals a wide range of perspectives on grief, resilience, and the human spirit. The book ultimately becomes a meditation on how communities and individuals find continuity and hope in the face of mortality.
*Denotes titles in the End of Life Concerns Club library