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  • A Walk Down the DockA 75-year-old man learns to find peace in the face of death

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    Ellary Allis

    A Walk Down the Dock
    A 75-year-old man learns to find peace in the face of death

  • The Death Rattle — Not Music to Your Ears?The death rattle can be unnerving and scary for loved ones, but adding overriding noise can help.

    The Death Rattle — Not Music to Your Ears?
    The death rattle can be unnerving and scary for loved ones, but adding overriding noise can help.

    As a person gets closer to death, they can begin a type of noisy breathing that sounds like a wet snore. Called the “death rattle,” it can be difficult to listen to. Thankfully, it is not too common. Because it’s not a nice sound, the family can fear that the dying person is struggling to…

    Tani Bahti

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  • Have an Obituary To Write? Some Turn to ChatGPTAI is changing the end-of-life industry by helping generate obituaries.

    Have an Obituary To Write? Some Turn to ChatGPT
    AI is changing the end-of-life industry by helping generate obituaries.

    Let’s face it — AI is disrupting many industries, and that includes the end-of-life sector. In the news recently, examples have popped up, including the case of Michael Bommer, who found out he was terminally ill. In 2024, he told NPR, he made an AI copy of himself to leave behind for his family. Not…

    Maria Mocerino

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  • “With a Little Help From My Friends”This vulnerable and touching song shows gratitude for community.

    “With a Little Help From My Friends”
    This vulnerable and touching song shows gratitude for community.

    The song, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and originally sung by The Beatles, was famously covered by Joe Cocker on his album released in 1969. The tempo of the Beatles’ 1967 version was upbeat, but Cocker’s gritty, raw and emotional rendition solidified its place in music…

    Maria Mocerino

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  • Spinning Out of ControlLife doesn’t stop because someone in the family is terminally ill.

    Spinning Out of Control
    Life doesn’t stop because someone in the family is terminally ill.

    One of the difficulties that people living with a terminal illness must deal with is the fact that life goes on much as it did before. Despite the “new normal” of doctor appointments and lab tests and physical changes associated with the illness, the need to maintain some semblance of an orderly existence remains. Children…

    Kathleen Clohessy

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  • “Homegoings”In this PBS documentary, what is not fairly revealed is how their remaining preference for traditional funeral services are typically over-the-top costly

    “Homegoings”
    In this PBS documentary, what is not fairly revealed is how their remaining preference for traditional funeral services are typically over-the-top costly

    Quite frankly, I was a bit peeved to see recent critics bestow accolades on “Homegoings”, a PBS documentary film by director Christine Turner. The film’s pitch states: “Through the eyes of funeral director Isaiah Owens, the beauty and grace of African-American funerals are brought to life.” Critics from the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and…

    Suzette Sherman

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  • Increased Rates of Earlier Death Shown for Those Who Experience Intense GriefFindings from study suggest you can actually die from a broken heart.

    Increased Rates of Earlier Death Shown for Those Who Experience Intense Grief
    Findings from study suggest you can actually die from a broken heart.

    Doctors have known about broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), for a while. First reported by a Japanese cardiovascular specialist in 1990, TCM is when a part of the heart becomes suddenly stunned or weakened after intense grief or severe physical stress. This temporary condition is treatable with medication, and most people with TCM…

    Caitlin Manner

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  • “Deadly” Cocktails and Their HistoryDon’t let the death-related names of these drinks fool you; these cocktails are sure to liven up any get-together.

    “Deadly” Cocktails and Their History
    Don’t let the death-related names of these drinks fool you; these cocktails are sure to liven up any get-together.

    With summer upon us, thoughts naturally turn to refreshing libations to take the edge off the heat. With that in mind, this will be a fun article about “deadly” cocktails, aka drinks with death-related names, complete with a little history to entertain your guests while you mix these tasty treats. Deadly Cocktail #1: Death in…

    Colleen Ferguson

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  • Comfort and CommunicationThe presence of loved ones can be felt even after death

    Comfort and Communication
    The presence of loved ones can be felt even after death

    This is Lee’s story, as told by Angela Borrello. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences with loss. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their experience of grief and, ultimately, to aid them in their healing processes. In this post, we tell…

    Angela Borrello

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  • Hilaria Baldwin Teaches Her Kids About Death With Family Trips to CemeteriesThe yoga instructor and wife of actor Alec Baldwin has some unique ideas to repair a child’s often negative association with cemeteries.

    Hilaria Baldwin Teaches Her Kids About Death With Family Trips to Cemeteries
    The yoga instructor and wife of actor Alec Baldwin has some unique ideas to repair a child’s often negative association with cemeteries.

    Explaining the end of life to children can be complex and challenging. While kids are curious by nature, it’s not unusual for parents and other adults to find themselves at a loss for words when it comes to death.  Hilaria Baldwin, the yoga instructor, and with husband Alec Baldwin the mother of seven children, is…

    Ariana Barnes

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