Table 4

Good death models

Good Death for 'non-believers'

Good Death for 'believers'

Loss of individuality

Permanence of individuality

End of subjective life

Passage to another life

Being aware of dying

Dying unaware

Not losing control of the situation

Hope in miracles and in eternal life

Attention given to scene of death

Decorum in dying

Importance of living well in the "here and now"

Importance of getting to heaven

Little importance given to mortal remains

Importance given to mortal remains

Search for a secular modality of dying

Adherence to prevalent cultural rules

Elements shared by believers and non-believers

1) Trying to prepare for death without expecting to feel absolutely ready when death arrives;

2) Having close people nearby and receiving assistance from experts;

3) Having a soft atmosphere around the dying person.

Toscani et al. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2003 1:65   doi:10.1186/1477-7525-1-65