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Liz Gridley - 'What Does a Good Death Mean to You?' - oil on aluminium
What Does a Good Death Mean to You?
Oil on aluminium by Liz Gridley.
Painting size: 37.5 x 30 cm (14.8" x 11.8")
Frame size: 40.8 x 33.2 cm (16.1" x 13.1")
One of the core facets in fear of death is a lack of control. It’s this factor that contributes to many alternate wordings to death itself - we speak of ‘loss’ or ‘passing’ but what has been lost exactly? Perhaps the ‘good death’ is what is, in fact, missing in many cases.
“People often talk about wanting to have a “good death”. What dying well means is different for each person, shaped by their attitudes, cultural background, spiritual beliefs and medical treatments. You may want to think about what dying well means to you (so that you can communicate it to those around you, and write it down for the future.) You may feel it is important to:
- know that death is coming and understand what to expect
- have some control over pain relief and other symptoms
- have as much control as you can over where you die and how it happens
- maintain a sense of ‘dignity’ (or define what dignity means to you)
- have the opportunity to prepare for death
- reconcile damaged or broken relationships
- have the chance to say goodbye
- resolve regrets
- honour spiritual or religious beliefs
- have a say in end-of-life care and know your wishes are respected
-
have your affairs in order and plans in place for friends and family.”
- Cancer Council
Many of these factors can be influenced, however, we need to educate and facilitate these needs from a young age for them to be effective. Particularly the employment of a will, an advanced care directive and possibly an emotional will.