Death and dying

Ted Eidson, editor
A comprehensive manual for professional and volunteer caregivers helping those with AIDS. It includes medical protocols, emotional, spiritual, and practical support, personal stories, and an extensive list of resources. St. Martin's Press, 1993. Available: UK, USA.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
A wonderful set of essays which demonstrate the potential for growth and healing in the last stages of life. The title essay by Rev. Imara illustrates how we can help the dying move through resistance, anger, and fear, and find meaning in their lives. Prentice-Hall, 1975. Available: UK, USA.

Ira Byock, M.D.
Peace and possibilities at the end of life. Well written guide to dying, showing different scenarios based on actual patients and their families: themes such as suffering, disintegration, dementia, hard decisions, dependence, tragedy, unbearable pain, spiritual growth. Penguin, 1997. Available: UK, USA.

Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley
Understanding the needs and communications of the dying. Insights and stories which help family and medical caregivers understand the variety of means by which the dying attempt communication and seek healing of relationships in their last days and hours. Bantam, 1992. Available: UK, USA.

Christine Longaker
A clear and compassionate handbook for living one's life in preparation for death, emotionally and spiritually, with valuable guidance for supporting friends and family members facing death. Written by Christine Longaker, Education Director of the Spiritual Care Program. Doubleday, 1997. Available in nine languages including UK English, French, and German. Read more, including excerpts and reviews of the book.

Marilyn Webb
An excellent overview of new trends in dying and death throughout the US, but applicable to western society as a whole. The author, who is editor-in-chief of Psychology Today, travelled through the US for six years collecting data and interviewing a wide range of experts. Bantam, 1997. Available: UK, USA.

Ken Wilber
Spirituality and healing in the life and death of Treya Killam Wilber. A powerful and touching account of Treya's illness and death. The balancing of outer and inner search for healing and the sharing of this journey give much food for thought and reflection. Shambhala, 1991. Available: Germany, UK, USA.

Joanne Lynn, M.D.
Guidance for people facing serious illness. Treasury of all of the practical information you could want on illness, dying and death. This book should be required reading for medical and volunteer caregivers working with those dealing with end-of-life issues. Oxford University Press, 1999. Available: UK, USA.

Hank Dunn
An excellent guide to making difficult decisions about life support, tube feeding, resuscitation, and other life-prolonging treatments with more understanding and less guilt. Ideal for family and loved ones as well as those who are aging and dying. A&A Publishers, 1994. Available: USA.

Ram Dass and Paul Gorman
A loving book which demonstrates for caregiving professionals and volunteers how to stop being a nuisance and support those suffering with more clarity, compassion, and humanity. Alfred A. Knopf, 1985. Available: Germany, UK, USA.

Marie de Hennezel
How the dying teach us how to live. De Hennezel demonstrates the importance of making a genuine connection with the ill and dying--through touch, compassion, and loving presence. Little Brown and Company, 1997. Available: France, Germany, UK, USA.

Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen
An extraordinary collection of personal experiences and stories drawn from Dr. Remen's own life and those of her colleagues, patients, and clients. Riverhead, 1996. Available: UK, USA.

Cicely Saunders, et al
A guide for palliative care. Dr. Saunders, a pioneer in the modern hospice movement, describes for medical professionals her protocols for successfully treating the symptoms and pain of end-stage illness. Oxford Medical Publications, 1995. Available: France, Germany, UK, USA.

Michael Kearney, M.D.
Stories of soul pain, death, and healing. When we no longer see death as the enemy, we realize that each of us--patient, physician, and caregiver--are on a journey to healing and wholeness, and that we can help each other on the way. Simon and Schuster, 1997. Available: UK, USA.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
How children and their parents can and do cope with death. A child's death is one of the hardest to comprehend. This fine book shows how to understand and support dying children. Macmillan, 1983. Available: France, UK, USA.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Dr. Kübler-Ross emphasizes that dying is not a psychological condition but a natural part of life. It is vital to listen to and learn from the dying, for as we accept their emotional pain, they are able to bring resolution to their lives. Macmillan, 1969. Available: UK, USA.

Henri Nouwen
Meditations on dying and caring. A renowned Christian writer and founder of the L'Arche communities for mentally handicapped shares his honest contemplation on his own dying and death. HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. Available: UK, USA.

Mitch Albom
Moving account of a sports journalist, who, in his middle years reconnects with his college professor diagnosed with ALS. He learns how to live fully from his teacher who has a debilitating disease. Doubleday, 1997. Available: France, Germany, UK, USA.

Stephen Levine
An investigation of conscious living and conscious dying. A classic and crucial read by anyone in this area of work. Doubleday, 1982. Available: France, UK, USA.