Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending

by Myra Bennett, Melanie Smith (Editor)

In Dying Made Easy(er) by Myra Bennett, we are guided through the diverse phases and considerations of the end of life by an experienced traveler who’s spent many hours “as a guest in the sacred place of the dying.” Bennett, a hospice nurse and end-of-life guide, who has also grappled with death in her personal life, invites us to contemplate dying from many different angles: legal, social, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Her Dying Made Easy(er) is both a handbook of pertinent information and a medley of informed suggestions for us to consider when experiencing or sharing the phenomenon that is the end of life. Bennett believes it is imperative that we—as a community—are aware of how to find help when faced with death and dying. In Dying Made Easy(er), she provides the resource to address this pressing need.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2019

About the author

Myra has been a student of death and dying since she experienced the loss of her husband in 2001. Although nursing had been her profession for over 20 years--after she continued to lose friends and family, she turned to hospice nursing in 2007.
In 2013 Myra transitioned into the holistic role of end of life doula and opened Compassionate Crossings in Sacramento where today she offers guidance and support to the dying person and loved ones as well as teaching all subjects related to death and dying.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad I bought this book as I will be consulting it many times. This is an end-of-life guide to death and dying. The author discusses the legal, social, physical,psychological and spiritual aspects. This book is very informative with lots of useful information and included is an appendix which includes a resource guide, glossary and additional reading list. This book is not just for those who are near the end of their life as I am (I'm pushing 80.) but for anyone who lives, as we all die, and does anyone know when that will be?

[Just another reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, as a subject, has been one of stigma, avoidance, fear, and apprehensions for as long as we can remember. Be it the passing of a dear one, or gearing ourselves to face our own inevitable deaths, it's never been easy for any of us to come to terms with all the heaviness the thoughts bring in. Bennett's book deals with the very subject, but articulates what's involved so beautifully that it feels (almost) easy to get a grip on this.
Narrated with a lot of empathy and compassion, Bennett doesn't sound condescending at all at any point in the book. On the contrary, what stands out is the effort that she has put in to reach out to the reader with a gentle hand-holding. What I loved about the book was that she doesn't deal with just the philosophical aspects of dealing with death, but also with the practical and logistical preparations. She takes us through different dimensions that we need to consider, including handling the procedures, entrustment of one's assets, and so on.
I totally loved this book and I'm very thankful to iRead Book Tours, Balboa Press, and the author Myra Bennett for gifting me a copy of this book for an honest review.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talking about death and dying seems to something of a taboo, or even discussed in a joking matter to fend off our real emotion - fear. I lost my father last year, and he chose the joking way of discussing his wishes right up until we really needed to know what he actually wanted to happen funeral wise and with his possessions. It was a hard time and also very quick, if I had this book a year ago it would have been a god send, having said that it very Americanised - but the principals still apply and the equivalents can be found in Britain.

Bennett has created a very informative, knowledgeable and compassionate book with Dying Made Easy(er), which gives you insight into the realities of death and dying. The book is broken down into several topics that cover estate planning, advance health directives, treatment for terminal conditions, and the decision to stop medical treatment. Each section is written with compassion and also tidbits from the authors own personal experience.

4 stars

[Tina Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dealing with an uncomfortable subject, death, Myra has provided a great deal of insight into the realities of death and dying. A must read for all as we all travel this life. Very informative and handled with compassion and knowledge. It was difficult to give the book 5 stars because it was hard to read, not in a literal sense, but because of the Dealing with an uncomfortable subject, death, Myra has provided a great deal of insight into the realities of death and dying. A must read for all as we all travel this life. Very informative and handled with compassion and knowledge. That being said it imparted so much necessary information, how could I not

[Connie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very apparent that the author of this book is very knowledgeable about the information that she shares in Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending. Although the subject matter is one that many people avoid discussing, this is a book that we all need to have. Some of the topics covered include estate planning, advance health directives, treatment for terminal conditions, and the decision to stop medical treatment. Bennett is a retired Hospice nurse and she explains how this valuable service helps both the dying person and their family/caregivers and she also introduces readers to the concept of the end-of-life doula, a trained professional who serves as a death companion to both the dying person and their loved ones. A doula may serve in the home or in a hospice setting.

Perhaps the chapters that fascinated me the most were the ones that explain both the mindset and the physical symptoms of a person who is dying. As I read them I realized just how accurate they were in describing my own mother's last days. She died after being in Hospice for four days but I now understand that her body was readying itself for several weeks before her actual death.

Dying Made Easy(er) is a very helpful book and my only reservation is about the last chapter that talks about one's beliefs. I understand that the people who read this book will be of different faiths and some may not believe in a Supreme Being at all but I was a little uncomfortable with some of her statements. I do, however, appreciate that Bennett has made this book available and I certainly recommend it as a worthy resource.

I was given a copy of this book but a favorable review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending is not really a comfortable book to read, but yet a very important and informative one. It has quite a bit of great advice and information for everyone who wants and / or needs to be prepared for the inevitable of eventually passing away. It is never too late to plan for the future.
Dying Made Easy(er) Creating Your Happy Ending has thirteen chapters full of tips and thoughts of what one can do. These chapters include:
1. Estate Planning and Advance Healthcare Directives
2. Even Terminal Conditions Have Treatment Options
3. When To Throw In The Towel
4. Hospice Demystified
5. End-Of-Life Doulas
6. Getting More Help With Care
7. As The Dying Person Sees It
8. From The Survivor’s Perspective
9. How A Body Dies
10. Beyond The Body
11. Your Dying Place
12. Funerals Are For The Living
13. Life
The chapters are pretty short at just under 20 pages to almost 30. Following each chapter, there is a “Thoughts & Reflections” page that one can fill out. At the end of the book, there is a To Do Checklist, Glossary and other Resources.
I give Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending five stars. I think everyone should pick up this book and start planning for the future. I believe it is very important to do so for myself and my loved ones. I highly recommend this book. I plan on keeping it on hand as I plan my family’s future.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face it – if you haven’t already done so you WILL at some point have to deal with the passing of a loved one – or you will have to face you own mortality. It is hard – not an easy topic, no one wants to face the reality. But it is easier for everyone if the plans are made ahead of time. I recently lost a dear friend unexpectedly and, while not easy, it was “easy-er” because she and her husband had talked it over just recently.

Myra Bennett is an end-of-life doula and her compassionate nature comes through loud and clear in her writing. It is like having her there holding your hand as you face the discomfort together. She carefully explains the legalistic mumbo-jumbo – estate planning, advance care directives, trusts, power of attorney, etc. She also discusses what factors should go into making the decision as to when “enough is enough”. I have known people who wanted everything possible to be done to extend their life as long as possible. Then there were others who said when their quality of life has deteriorated it is time for them to go. This is a very personal decision that needs to be addressed.

The author carefully – and compassionately – explains the journey that must be taken. There are notes pages at the end of each chapter so you can jot down your thoughts. I first got the Kindle edition but then bought the print edition as it has checklists and “to do” lists in the back.

This is a book that everyone should read so they can be better prepared.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so educational

I admit working in a nursing home and saw a dead person while cleaning still scared me sometimes. It is not that I am scared to look at their dead body but I always have nightmares every time. I tried to avoid it if I know that a dead body is still laying on their beds. Getting close to them while working is even harder when they passed away and I cannot fathom the emotions of their families were. This book is a wide-opener for me. It is very educational. I admit am still scared of looking at dead people's body after reading this book.

Reading this book is beyond amazing. It helps you in so many ways especially time. All chapters have different topics but very helpful in so many ways. Definitely, one of a kind book to read. I even ask myself if my husband has a will if something happens to both of us. What will our kids do especially they are both teenagers. This book is your best solution and tips are really helpful.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death, dying, grief and grief resources are subjects that interest me a lot. Without meaning to be trite, death is inevitable. How we prepare for the passing of our loved ones and for our own death is what is important. I know the confusion that went on in my family with my parents’ last illnesses and death. I wish these things were discussed in detail much earlier. And this is why Dying Made Easy (er) is such a treasure house of both philosophical and practical wisdom,

The book covers trusts, power of attorney, estate planning, ,etc. Also helpful resources to help people make the difficult decision of knowing when it’s time to let your loved one go.

I loved the tone of Myra’s writing. A end-of-life doula, I can imagine her walking people through the hard times, gently and compassionately.