CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DEATH (eBook)

CHAPTER: 1. WE KNOW WHEN LIFE BEGINS BUT DEATH CANNOT BE SO EASILY DEFINED
On what basis do we determine death?
What is the point of death if someone is suffering from
Alzheimer's or dementia?
Is there a soul? If so, what happens to it at the time of death
Differing views of death
CHAPTER: 2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN INFORMED CONVERSATION ABOUT DEATH AND DYING?
Reasons why you should have the conversation
The risks of not having a conversation
Can people influence the timing of their death?
CHAPTER: 3. HOW TO MAKE THIS CHALLENGING CONVERSATION EASIER
Why is it so hard to have the conversation?
Unpacking some of the difficulties
CHAPTER: 4. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
Why do large-scale tragedies affect us
What effect does not seeing eye to eye have on a conversation?
The benefits of strong, close relationships
How do people react when informed of a terminal illness?
Who are we after a death?
CHAPTER: 5. RIGHTS, CHOICES AND THE LAW: WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW
PART 1 - WHEN A DEATH IS IMMINENT
Concerns around quality of life
Palliative Care
A nurse's story
The World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of Palliative Care
World Health Organisation Definition of Palliative Care for children
Advance Care Planning
Documents
Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment
Advance Healthcare Directive -
Living Will - End of Life Directive
Refusal of Medical Treatment Certificate
Physician Assisted Dying (PAD)
The Medical Treatment Act
Euthanasia
Dying at home
The baby boomer approach to death and dying
PART 2 - WHEN A DEATH HAS OCCURRED
After death choices
Who needs to be contacted when a person dies?
Keeping the body at home
Having a home vigil .
Transporting the body
Organ donation
Mortuary care
Embalming and preservation
Preparing the body
Pre-paid funerals
Things to do before the funeral
When the body is with the Coroner
Amanda's story
PART 3 - DIFFICULT AND UNEXPECTED DEATHS
What can we experience when an unexpected death occurs?
Suicide
Large scale deaths
Rhiannon's story
Paige's story
Fiona's story
PART 4 - FUNERALS AND FINAL RESTING PLACES
Don't be rushed into having a funeral
What does a funeral look like and why is it important?
The difference between honouring and celebrating?
Funeral options
Engaging a professional independent celebrant
Funeral company or not?
Advantages of using a funeral company
Disadvantages of using a funeral company
Doing it yourself
Advantages of doing it yourself
Disadvantages of doing it yourself
Using a funeral advocate
Disposal of the body
Burial or cremation
Cemeteries, Cemetery Trusts and Crematoria
Can a cremation or burial be organised by the family?
Are burials on private property allowed?
Can a cemetery cancel your interment right?
Natural burial
The story of Moora Moora's community's sanctuary
CHAPTER: 6. THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF FUNERALS ................
A funeral director's perspective on current practices
Have you ever considered having a living wake?
CHAPTER: 7. CONSIDERING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE BEREAVED
Viewing the body
CHAPTER: 8. GRIEF - A LITTLE WORD WITH A BIG PUNCH!
Preparatory grief
The death of an adult child
Grief when a person is suffering dementia or Alzheimer's disease
Grief when someone dies suddenly
Grief from a tragic death
The loss of a baby
Children and grief
CHAPTER: 9. HAVING THE CONVERSATION
Now we are informed let's have the conversation
Conversation starters
CHAPTER: 10. THE ROAD TO RECOVERY: MANAGING AND ADAPTING AFTER A DEATH
Looking after yourself
CHAPTER: 11. LIVING THE LEGACY

APPENDICES. CEREMONIES AND RITUAL:
WRITING 'THEIR STORY'
Storytelling
Creating a ritual
Planning a ceremony or ritual
What does a ritual look like?
Structure of a larger ritual or ceremony
The informal ritual or ceremony
Bobbie's story
Examples of Ceremonies
REFERENCES
INDEX