Additional Resources For Accepting Death & Mortality
SevenPonds recommends the following resources to our clients who wish to learn more about accepting death and mortality.
Notable Experts and Clinical Practitioners
Karen Wyatt, MD
Karen is a hospice physician who spent decades at bedsides, distilling what dying people taught her about love, forgiveness, and meaning. Her book 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying offers spiritual and practical guidance for those who are dying or caring for someone who is. Dr. Wyatt also hosts the End of Life University podcast, a free library of conversations with death professionals, making her wisdom accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Gail Rubin
Gail is a certified thanatologist (death educator) who uses humor, practical checklists, and even a “Death and Donuts” workshop series to break the ice around end-of-life planning. She focuses on the logistical side of acceptance—advance directives, funeral planning, and legacy projects—but does so without gloom or denial. Her approach is ideal for people who freeze at the word “death” and need a gentle, even funny, entry point.
BJ Miller, MD
BJ Miller is a palliative care physician and triple amputee who transformed his own trauma into a mission to humanize end-of-life care. Dr. Miller argues that modern medicine has stripped death of its meaning, and he offers practical, poetic alternatives rooted in sensory beauty and human connection. His book A Beginner’s Guide to the End and his widely viewed TED Talk provide actionable advice for patients, families, and clinicians seeking to face death with dignity rather than fear.
Bruce Greyson, MD
A professor emeritus of psychiatry who has spent decades rigorously studying near-death experiences (NDEs) at the University of Virginia, Bruce’s research demonstrates that people who have NDEs often lose their fear of death entirely, reporting profound peace and a sense of continued consciousness. For those terrified of annihilation, his book After offers scientific yet deeply reassuring evidence that death may not be the end we imagine.
Sheldon Solomon, PhD
Sheldon is a renowned social psychologist who co-created Terror Management Theory, which reveals how unconscious death anxiety drives much of human behavior, from prejudice to consumerism. Dr. Solomon translates complex academic findings into accessible insights about why we avoid death and how confronting it can actually reduce anxiety. His work (including the documentary Flight from Death) helps people understand that accepting mortality doesn’t mean living in despair—it means living more authentically.
Practical Resources and Organizations
Death Cafes
A global, volunteer-led movement in which small groups gather in homes, libraries, or coffee shops to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. No agenda, no therapist, and no advice-giving—just open conversation in a safe, confidential space. For someone who feels isolated in their fear of death, a Death Cafe offers the profound relief of speaking aloud what is usually kept silent.
The Order of the Good Death
A non-profit collective founded by Caitlin Doughty, composed of morticians, academics, artists, and activists dedicated to making death acceptance a cultural norm. Their website offers articles, videos, and resource guides on everything from green burial to death doulas to talking with children about dying. It is the central hub for the Death Positivity movement and an excellent first stop for anyone seeking a community of like-minded people.
Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE)
An organization that provides culturally specific resources for Jewish individuals and families navigating death, dying, and mourning. They offer workshops, support groups, and written guides that integrate Jewish traditions (taharah, shiva, kaddish) with contemporary grief psychology. JADE is invaluable for those who want to honor their heritage while also feeling equipped for practical and emotional challenges.
Death Over Dinner
An organization that provides free, downloadable dinner-party kits designed to help friends or family members discuss end-of-life wishes over a shared meal. Each kit includes question cards and conversation starters that gently guide participants from easy topics (values and memories) to harder ones (fears, finances, and final medical preferences). This resource is ideal for a loved one who wants to plan ahead but feels paralyzed by the formality of legal documents.
The Conversation Project
A public-health initiative that offers free, one-page “starter guides” for having a conversation with a family member about their end-of-life wishes. Their flagship tool, the “What Matters to Me” worksheet, helps individuals articulate their values (e.g., “I would rather die at home than live longer in a hospital”) in plain language. It is the most accessible, low-barrier resource for families who know they should talk but don’t know how to begin.
American Psychological Association (APA) – End-of-Life Resources
The APA’s website hosts a dedicated section on dying and bereavement, including free articles, practitioner guidelines, and a podcast series (“Speaking of Psychology”) with episodes on death anxiety, complicated grief, and palliative care. While geared toward professionals, the public can access research-backed handouts and self-assessment tools that normalize the psychological challenges of facing mortality. It is a reliable, science-grounded resource for anyone who wants to understand the “why” behind their fear before they try to fix it.