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The D-Word: Talking about Dying
The D-Word is a practical guide to support relatives, friends and carers who are coping with the distress and anxiety of someone nearing the end of life, or who has suddenly died.
Today, life-extending treatments have over-ridden care for the soul. Death is regarded as a medical failure, and usually hidden away in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and mortuaries. We have lost the ability to talk openly about the end of life. It's frightening to know how to talk to a relative or friend who is dying, or to someone who has been suddenly bereaved but unless we confront this fear, important things can remain unsaid or incomplete, which often turns into unresolved grief, guilt and anger.
Personal stories from people from all walks of life explore the different ways they have come to terms with the dying process or the sudden death of their spouse, partner, parent, friend or child, how they have confronted their fear of talking about it, and ways in which they found support during this very difficult time.
Today, life-extending treatments have over-ridden care for the soul. Death is regarded as a medical failure, and usually hidden away in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and mortuaries. We have lost the ability to talk openly about the end of life. It's frightening to know how to talk to a relative or friend who is dying, or to someone who has been suddenly bereaved but unless we confront this fear, important things can remain unsaid or incomplete, which often turns into unresolved grief, guilt and anger.
Personal stories from people from all walks of life explore the different ways they have come to terms with the dying process or the sudden death of their spouse, partner, parent, friend or child, how they have confronted their fear of talking about it, and ways in which they found support during this very difficult time.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2010
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January 16, 2026This is a fantastic book full of lots of explanations, anecdotes and advice on a topic that is often taboo.
It was interesting to learn how very differently people approach death and dying, how this has changed over time and the impact that faith and religion have on the rituals and practicalities surrounding it.
Discovering more about what actually happens when someone dies I think has removed some the fear I have about it. I also found it very moving and in some ways comforting to hear of people's experiences of the death of a family or a friend as it showed that this is a part of life that everyone has to deal with.
With that being said, I would recommend this book to everyone. Whilst it deals with the subject completely head on and in plain language, it is very comforting in its approach.
It was interesting to learn how very differently people approach death and dying, how this has changed over time and the impact that faith and religion have on the rituals and practicalities surrounding it.
Discovering more about what actually happens when someone dies I think has removed some the fear I have about it. I also found it very moving and in some ways comforting to hear of people's experiences of the death of a family or a friend as it showed that this is a part of life that everyone has to deal with.
With that being said, I would recommend this book to everyone. Whilst it deals with the subject completely head on and in plain language, it is very comforting in its approach.
May 21, 2012
A friend died on Sunday; his last words were "it's time for me to go," and then he was gone. I sat for a while, wondering how he knew it really was his time to go, not in a half an hour, not even in five minutes, but now.
I already had this book in my stack, but now I picked it up wondering if it could answer this question. It doesn't, but what it does offer are stories from people who have experienced the dying of a friend or relative or patient, as well as a modest description of the physical processes that occur when the body is actively dying. Included are chapters on denial of dying (being unable to come to terms with it), end of life issues, and various supports.
This book is not about grief, it's about dying, plain & simple. If you're facing your own death, or that of a loved one, or if you've reconciled with your grief for someone who has died, this book is an excellent resource & I highly recommend it. Most of the references are for the UK but good ideas may come from generalizing. The author (a former nurse) writes in a voice that is clear & gentle. There is a brief bibliography for further reading.
I already had this book in my stack, but now I picked it up wondering if it could answer this question. It doesn't, but what it does offer are stories from people who have experienced the dying of a friend or relative or patient, as well as a modest description of the physical processes that occur when the body is actively dying. Included are chapters on denial of dying (being unable to come to terms with it), end of life issues, and various supports.
This book is not about grief, it's about dying, plain & simple. If you're facing your own death, or that of a loved one, or if you've reconciled with your grief for someone who has died, this book is an excellent resource & I highly recommend it. Most of the references are for the UK but good ideas may come from generalizing. The author (a former nurse) writes in a voice that is clear & gentle. There is a brief bibliography for further reading.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews