what does it mean to die well?

Question 1

how do people prepare themselves to die well?

Answer 1

1. prepare themselves to die
   - spend time with family
   - updating their will
   - discussing their funeral
   - sacrament of the sick or reconciliation: absolution and viaticum
2. respect the value of their lives until a natural death
   - life must not be prematurely ended
   - all life has value even in suffering and disability
   - using charities and hospitals to ease the passing of

3.provide rituals for the grieving
- funeral rites
- prayers
- music
- ‘wake’ or celebration of the person’s life

Question 2

what does Pope John Paul II’s teach about the end of life care/dying well/euthanasia?

Answer 2

• if death is near, a person can choose to receive further treatment, that would not cure them but only extend their life marginally
• they would still receive pain management
• aim is to ease pain and suffering
• church considers euthanasia to be murder