CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DEATH

CHAPTER: 1. WE KNOW WHEN LIFE BEGINS BUT DEATH CANNOT BE SO EASILY DEFINED On what basis do we determine death? What is the point of death if someone is suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia? Is there a soul? If so, what happens to it at the time of death Differing views of death CHAPTER: 2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN INFORMED CONVERSATION ABOUT DEATH AND DYING? Reasons why you should have the conversation The risks of not having a conversation Can people influence the timing of their death? CHAPTER: 3. HOW TO MAKE THIS CHALLENGING CONVERSATION EASIER Why is it so hard to have the conversation? Unpacking some of the difficulties CHAPTER: 4. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS Why do large-scale tragedies affect us What effect does not seeing eye to eye have on a conversation? The benefits of strong, close relationships How do people react when informed of a terminal illness? Who are we after a death? CHAPTER: 5. RIGHTS, CHOICES AND THE LAW: WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW PART 1 - WHEN A DEATH IS IMMINENT Concerns around quality of life Palliative Care A nurse's story The World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of Palliative Care World Health Organisation Definition of Palliative Care for children Advance Care Planning Documents Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment Advance Healthcare Directive - Living Will - End of Life Directive Refusal of Medical Treatment Certificate Physician Assisted Dying (PAD) The Medical Treatment Act Euthanasia Dying at home The baby boomer approach to death and dying PART 2 - WHEN A DEATH HAS OCCURRED After death choices Who needs to be contacted when a person dies? Keeping the body at home Having a home vigil . Transporting the body Organ donation Mortuary care Embalming and preservation Preparing the body Pre-paid funerals Things to do before the funeral When the body is with the Coroner Amanda's story PART 3 - DIFFICULT AND UNEXPECTED DEATHS What can we experience when an unexpected death occurs? Suicide Large scale deaths Rhiannon's story Paige's story Fiona's story PART 4 - FUNERALS AND FINAL RESTING PLACES Don't be rushed into having a funeral What does a funeral look like and why is it important? The difference between honouring and celebrating? Funeral options Engaging a professional independent celebrant Funeral company or not? Advantages of using a funeral company Disadvantages of using a funeral company Doing it yourself Advantages of doing it yourself Disadvantages of doing it yourself Using a funeral advocate Disposal of the body Burial or cremation Cemeteries, Cemetery Trusts and Crematoria Can a cremation or burial be organised by the family? Are burials on private property allowed? Can a cemetery cancel your interment right? Natural burial The story of Moora Moora's community's sanctuary CHAPTER: 6. THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF FUNERALS ................ A funeral director's perspective on current practices Have you ever considered having a living wake? CHAPTER: 7. CONSIDERING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE BEREAVED Viewing the body CHAPTER: 8. GRIEF - A LITTLE WORD WITH A BIG PUNCH! Preparatory grief The death of an adult child Grief when a person is suffering dementia or Alzheimer's disease Grief when someone dies suddenly Grief from a tragic death The loss of a baby Children and grief CHAPTER: 9. HAVING THE CONVERSATION Now we are informed let's have the conversation Conversation starters CHAPTER: 10. THE ROAD TO RECOVERY: MANAGING AND ADAPTING AFTER A DEATH Looking after yourself CHAPTER: 11. LIVING THE LEGACY

APPENDICES. CEREMONIES AND RITUAL: WRITING 'THEIR STORY' Storytelling Creating a ritual Planning a ceremony or ritual What does a ritual look like? Structure of a larger ritual or ceremony The informal ritual or ceremony Bobbie's story Examples of Ceremonies REFERENCES INDEX