Accompanying the Dying: Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom for End-of-Life Doulas and Health Care Advocates

by Deanna Cochran

Accompanying the Dying describes the human skill and art of companioning someone through dying. There is a wide gap in this knowing (of how to accompany the dying), which is why this book is timely and needed at this juncture of the "death positive" movement. The book is meant to empower us as a society to understand how to die well in this modern age. Deanna describes the newly emerging role of the "end-of-life doula," which is a nonmedical role that provides practical, emotional, and spiritual support to the dying and their family. This role is a powerful solution to the looming crisis in health care as our baby boomers and their elders age and die in the oncoming years.

The book is overflowing with wisdom that only someone with years of experience can impart, offers historical context and present-day initiatives and describes how end-of-life doulas and health-care advocates can change the face of dying wherever they choose to serve.

No doubt, Accompanying the Dying takes its place among the great works of humanity, bringing us to the next level of awareness in companioning our family, friends and communities with skillful, loving care.

Genres: Death

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! My brother died on March 27 of this year and it was a shock. Though he had had a massive heart attack with the left side of his heart dying, he was given an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). Everything that I read said he would/could live for a year to fifteen years! He lived 11 months. While I am grateful that we got those extra eleven months, it wasn't enough!

Though I have been in hospice care as an aide and loved it, I was taken by surprise by my brother's death from a blood clot to the brain! Hospice care has shown me that there are many facets to and of death and this book touched on many of them.

The author was warm and caring and had the example of her mother and her time before death which showed how much care the dying needs. Still, the author managed to set aside her grief and put the focus exactly where it should be, on her mother. I found this book to be thoughful and very well written and the author to be knowledgable and caring.

It might not have been the best book I could have chosen to read only a month after my brother's death but it was definitely one I needed to read!

[Carol Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly interesting book on the process of dying. Although I don't want to be an end-of-life doula, am currently walking this path with a spouse and found the book to be informative and very helpful for the process we are going through. Would really recommend this book to anyone who is or know they will soon walk with someone through the dying process.

[edward p. nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource

The author has presented a clear and concise roadmap of most issues involving care of the dying. I highly recommend it.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very useful and helpful information, especially for non-medical people wishing to pursue this calling, but way too much repetition.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to have by you if you or someone you know is terminally ill