Dying Matters

Talking about death isn’t easy — but it’s one of the most important conversations we can have. When we face the topic honestly, we learn what really matters: love, connection, and how we want to live the time we have. Dying Matters is an invitation to open up these conversations now, listen deeply, and find peace in the one thing we all share — the fact that life, in all its beauty, doesn’t last forever.

This book is intended as a conversation-starter for topics that are challenging to talk about: serious illness, end-of-life decisions, caregiving, grief, and loss. The main purpose is to help prepare you and your loved ones for the end of life, no matter what stage you’re in. That preparation can mean things like:

• Understanding how modern healthcare works
• Knowing your options for care
• Building your community of support
• Living the rest of your life based on your values and what matters most to you

Inside, you’ll find eight practical, heart-centered conversations designed to spark insight and connection – each with clear guidance, reflection prompts, and real-world stories. A built-in discussion Guide makes it easier to begin these conversations with family, friends, and community – in living rooms, classrooms, or caregiving settings.

You’ll explore meaningful topics like:

• Your priorities for care and comfort
• Forgiveness and gratitude
• Building death-caring communities
• Concerns about aging, illness, and dying
• The legacy you wish to leave behind

Whether you’re healthy, living with illness, caregiving, or supporting others through grief, Dying Matters invites you to begin – or continue – the conversations that bring peace, purpose, and understanding.

About the Authors: Janet Booth and Trish Rux have spent decades working as hospice and palliative care nurses, end-of-life coaches, death doulas, and educators.