What does “dying well” mean?

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. 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
• 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.

There are different ways to die well. Some people see staying at home as the key to dying well, while others feel more supported spending their last days in a hospital or palliative care unit (see Choosing where to die). You don’t have to decide in advance and it is okay to change your mind later. But it is important that family, friends and your health care team understand what matters most to you. Knowing your wishes have been explained clearly, means that you don’t need to have those conversations later on.

Open conversations and planning ahead for your last weeks and days of life can help family members and friends with their grief. They may feel a sense of peace knowing your preferences were respected (e.g. advance care plans, where you want to be cared for or where you prefer to die).

→ READ MORE: How will I know that the end is near?

Podcast: Living with Dying

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