The Study of Dying: From Autonomy to Transformation

What is it really like to die? Though our understanding about the biology of dying is complex and incomplete, greater complexity and diversity can be found in the study of what human beings encounter socially, psychologically and spiritually during the experience. Contributors from disciplines as diverse as social and behavioural studies, medicine, demography, history, philosophy, art, literature, popular culture and religion examine the process of dying through the lens of both animal and human studies. Despite common fears to the contrary, dying is not simply an awful journey of illness and decline; cultural influences, social circumstances, personal choice and the search for meaning are all crucial in shaping personal experiences. This intriguing volume will be of interest to clinicians, professionals, academics and students of death, dying and end-of-life care, and anyone curious about the human confrontation with mortality. Editorial Reviews Review "Poised somewhere between On Death and Dying by Elizabeth KÌ_bler-Ross and How We Die by Sherwin Nuland, The Study of Dying is a well-crafted book that looks at demise from all sorts of angles. The ending is self-evident: the importance of a good exit cannot be overstated." - Journal of the American Medical Association "The editor and each contributor have marshaled the death and dying literature authoritatively, offering beginning and advanced students alike a very readable and worthy introduction to this field. Kellehear's long fascination with death has yielded a most informative volume, of great value to thanatological professionals and those wishing to better understand how we die.... Highly recommended." - Choice What is it really like to die? This intriguing volume brings together research from several disciplines on what we know about dying. Examining what human beings encounter socially, psychologically and spiritually, it shows how cultural influences, social circumstances and personal choice shape the experience.