Resources
Books and Reading Recommendations
"The Death Café Movement: Exploring the Horizons of Mortality" by Jack Fong
This book explores the concept of Death Cafes, gatherings where individuals come together to discuss death, dying, and the grieving process. It delves into the societal taboo surrounding death and the importance of open conversations about mortality. Offering insights from Death Cafe participants and facilitators, it provides a unique perspective on death and the ways in which we can engage with it.
"The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life" by Katy Butler
Katy Butler provides a compassionate and practical guide to navigating the end of life in this book. Drawing from personal stories and experiences, she offers insights into the modern healthcare system, advanced care planning, and the emotional aspects of dying and grieving. The book aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions and approach death with dignity and peace.
"When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi
This bestselling memoir by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores the intersection of life, death, and meaning. Kalanithi reflects on his own mortality and contemplates the fragility of human existence. With eloquence and depth, the book delves into the complexities of mortality, love, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.
Websites
The Dougy Center is a highly respected organization that provides support for children, teens, and families grieving the death of a loved one. Their website offers resources, information, and articles on grief and bereavement, including guidance for professionals working in the field. They also provide online forums and support groups for individuals seeking community during their grieving process.
The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping individuals have meaningful conversations about their end-of-life wishes and preferences. Their website offers resources, toolkits, and conversation guides to facilitate discussions with loved ones and healthcare providers. It provides valuable information on advance care planning, decision-making, and communicating one's end-of-life wishes effectively.
What's Your Grief is a comprehensive online resource center that offers information, support, and resources for individuals navigating grief and loss. Their website features articles, podcasts, videos, and a community forum where people can connect and share their experiences. They cover a wide range of topics related to grief, including coping strategies, self-care, and understanding grief in different contexts.
Advance Care Planning Tools
Five Wishes is an advance care planning document that helps individuals express their personal, emotional, and spiritual needs for end-of-life care. The website provides comprehensive information on advance care planning and offers the Five Wishes document, which covers medical, personal, and spiritual aspects of care. It is widely recognized and accepted as a valid advance directive in many states within the United States.
MyDirectives is an online platform that allows individuals to create and manage their advance care plans. The website provides a user-friendly interface to document preferences for medical treatments, appoint healthcare proxies, and share important information with healthcare providers. It also offers emergency access features and the ability to update the plan as needed.
What's Your Grief is a comprehensive online resource center that offers information, support, and resources for individuals navigating grief and loss. Their website features articles, podcasts, videos, and a community forum where people can connect and share their experiences. They cover a wide range of topics related to grief, including coping strategies, self-care, and understanding grief in different contexts.
End-of-Life Education
End-of-Life University is an online learning platform that offers educational resources and interviews with experts in the field of end-of-life care. The website features a wide range of topics related to death, dying, grief, and caregiving. They provide webinars, podcasts, and articles that cover various aspects of end-of-life education to help individuals expand their knowledge and understanding.
The NHPCO is a prominent organization dedicated to promoting and supporting hospice and palliative care. Their website offers a wealth of educational resources, including webinars, guides, and publications on end-of-life care. They provide information on advance care planning, pain management, grief support, and other important aspects of end-of-life education.
These websites are reputable sources of end-of-life education, providing valuable resources, tools, and guidance for individuals, families, and professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of end-of-life topics.
The Death with Dignity National Center advocates for the right of terminally ill individuals to have options for end-of-life care, including medical aid in dying. Their website provides information on end-of-life options, advance directives, and state laws related to medical aid in dying. They offer resources for individuals seeking to understand and access end-of-life choices, including educational materials, legal guidance, and support for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The Death with Dignity National Center aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care and advocates for legislation that supports end-of-life choices.
Funeral and Memorial Services
Funeralwise is a comprehensive online resource that provides guidance and support for funeral planning. The website offers a wealth of information on topics such as funeral etiquette, funeral costs, funeral traditions, and funeral pre-planning. It also provides tools and resources to help individuals create personalized funeral plans, including templates for obituaries, eulogies, and funeral programs.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting consumer rights and providing information and support for funeral planning. Their website offers resources on funeral laws, funeral planning guides, and tips for making informed decisions about funeral arrangements. The Funeral Consumers Alliance also provides directories to help locate reputable funeral homes and service providers.
FuneralOne is a leading provider of technology solutions for the funeral profession. Their website offers tools and services for funeral directors and families to create personalized and meaningful funeral experiences. FuneralOne provides options for creating customized memorial websites, tribute videos, and interactive funeral planning software. They aim to help funeral professionals and families navigate the process with ease and creativity.
These websites are well-known resources for funeral and memorial planning, offering valuable information, tools, and support to assist individuals and families in making meaningful arrangements and honoring their loved ones.
Financial and Legal
Caring.com is a trusted online platform that provides comprehensive resources for seniors and their families, including end-of-life planning. The website offers articles, guides, and tools on legal and financial matters related to aging and end-of-life care. It covers topics such as estate planning, wills, trusts, power of attorney, and long-term care options. Caring.com also provides directories to help find local elder law attorneys and financial advisors.
ElderLawAnswers is a widely recognized website that offers legal information and resources for seniors and their families. It provides comprehensive information on estate planning, Medicaid, long-term care, and other legal issues related to aging and end-of-life planning. The website features articles, FAQs, and a directory of elder law attorneys who specialize in assisting with legal matters in the later stages of life.
AARP is a prominent organization that focuses on the needs and interests of older adults. Their website offers a range of resources and information on various aspects of end-of-life planning, including legal and financial matters. AARP provides guides, articles, and tools on estate planning, wills, trusts, advance directives, and other legal considerations. They also offer resources to help with financial planning, including retirement savings and long-term care financing.